Coronado 0.5 Angstrom Personal Solar Telescope
Item #55712
5.0 / 5.0
Free Standard Shipping
$1,649.99
This 40mm diameter highly portable dedicated solar telescope features a superior 0.5 Angstrom bandpass for increased surface detail. Study of the solar disk is now within the reach of the amateur astronomer.
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  • More Info
    • "The most affordable and compact double stack hydrogen-alpha telescope in the Coronado line, ideal for high contrast views of surface features such as filaments, plages, and granulation, as well as prominences on the edge of the solar disk
    • Internal etalon filter stacks with the included 40mm external etalon to reduce the bandpass down to an incredible <0.5 Angstrom for increased surface detail compared with wider bandpass systems
    • Internal blocking filters reject all unwanted and harmful radiation, for completely safe solar viewing. All in a fully integrated package!
    • Weighs only 3.2 lbs, and includes two 1/4"-20 threaded mounting holes, so the 0.5 PST can attach to even a small photo tripod if needed
    • Includes a built-in solar viewfinder, making it quick and easy to locate and center the sun in the field of view of the included 18mm CEMAX eyepiece

    Coronado's iconic Personal Solar Telescope (or PST for short) is an incredibly portable way to view the Sun in hydrogen-alpha light. This 0.5 Angstrom (Å) version of the PST produces an even higher contrast view compared with the standard PST, revealing even more details on the solar disk. By zeroing in on the far end of the Sun's visible light spectrum — the hydrogen-alpha line — the PST reveals our closest star churning with violent, ever-changing activity. Best of all, the PST's innovative design allows H-alpha solar viewing at an incredibly affordable price.

    Designed and Manufactured in North America.

    This compact 40mm f/10 refractor (400mm focal length) houses a special 30mm internal ultra-narrowband filter called an etalon, which transmits the light emitted by hydrogen-alpha in the solar chromosphere, where all the action occurs. Also included is a removable external etalon threaded over the front lens which narrows the bandpass even further, from the standard <1.0 Å PST in single stack configuration, down to an incredible <0.5 Å bandpass. This significantly boosts the contrast of surface features and activity that get washed out with wider-bandpass systems. In fact, the bandpass of <0.5 Å is the same as achieved on much more expensive double stack telescopes, but in a much more affordable and compact package!

    The <0.5 Å bandpass is ideal for surface features such as granulation, filaments and plages, but it can also see prominence in beautiful detail as well. In the two-etalon configuration, prominences will show up slightly dimmer than with the standard single etalon configuration, but the beauty of the 0.5 Å PST is that you can unthread the external etalon and use it either way ? at <1 Å (single internal etalon) or down to <0.5 Å (double stack), for the ultimate views of both edge prominence and surface features.

    Solar Disk Detail Image

    The Sun in hydrogen-alpha light showing some of the different features visible around the solar disk.

    The telescope is just 17.7" long and weighs only 3.2 lbs., so it needs only a small telescope mount or a sturdy camera tripod for support. Two ¼"-20 threaded mounting holes under the scope's rear housing provide the attachment point and are ideal for use with Meade's 07932 V-style (Vixen) dovetail rail.

    Incorporated into the body of the PST is Coronado's RichView tuning mechanism, which allows the user to adjust the filter performance and boost the contrast of solar features. Doppler shifting due to energetic solar features moving toward the observer, or even the rotation of the Sun, can cause the hydrogen-alpha lights observed wavelength to shift. Additionally, barometric pressure and temperature at the observing location can affect the etalons bandpass and shift the observed wavelength outside the etalons viewing window. Simply turn the RichView tuning knob on the PST while observing through the eyepiece to adjust this viewing window and find the "sweet spot" to make the contrast pop. The double stack external etalon includes a second Richview tuning mechanism, along with Coronado's T-Max tilt tuner designed to get rid of any unwanted reflections in the image. Together, the tuning of the internal and external etalons allows for the ultimate in brightness and contrast when viewing different features of the Sun's surface.

    A built in Sol Ranger viewfinder makes locating the Sun quick and easy by projecting a small image of the solar disk onto the viewing port located on the body of the PST, right next to the eyepiece. Note that the use of the larger external etalon (double stack configuration) may block the viewfinder, and you might find it advantageous to locate the Sun in single stack mode before attaching the external etalon. Simply center that small disk in the viewfinder window, and the Sun will be visible in the included 18mm CEMAX eyepiece. Focus is achieved by simply turning the small focusing knob located on the rear of the telescope, within easy reach below the eyepiece.

    The PST will show you how dynamic our nearest star really is, with some phenomena changing over several minutes time! Get a Coronado <0.5 Å Personal Solar Telescope today and get in on the action!

    Coronado assures that all solar filters and solar telescopes are tested at specialized labs that are accredited to verify compliance with the ISO 12312-2 safety specifications for solar viewing.

    Warranty

    Limited Warranty against defects in materials or workmanship for five years from date of purchase. This warranty is provided by Meade for the benefit of the original retail purchaser only. For complete warranty details contact Meade at 800-626-3233.

    Warning

    Please note this product was not designed or intended by the manufacturer for use by a child 12 years of age or younger.

    Product Support

    Visit our product support section for instruction manuals and more

  • Specs
    • Best for viewing:
      Solar
    • User level:
      Intermediate
    • Optical design:
      Refractor
    • Optical diameter:
      40mm
    • Focal length:
      400mm
    • Focal ratio:
      f/10.0
    • Glass material:
      Crown/Flint
    • Eyepieces:
      Plossl 18.0mm (1.25")
    • Magnification with included eyepieces:
      22x
    • Resolving power:
      2.90arc*sec
    • Lowest useful magnification:
      6x
    • Highest useful magnification:
      80x
    • Highest theoretical magnification:
      80x
    • Limiting stellar magnitude:
      10.7
    • Optical quality:
      Diffraction limited
    • Finder scope:
      Sol Ranger
    • Focuser:
      Internal
    • Mount type:
      Optical Tube without Mount
    • Latitude range:
    • Tube material:
      Aluminum
    • Length of optical tube:
      17.7 in.
    • Weight, optical tube:
      3.2 lbs.
    • Weight, mount/tripod:
      3.0 lbs.
    • Weight, fully assembled:
      3.0 lbs.
    • Additional included accessories:
      Sol Ranger viewfinder built into housing
    • Other features:
      Includes removable external 40mm etalon filter, Two etalons together product 0.5 Angstrom bandpass, RichView tuning to adjust contrast
    • Warranty:
      Five year
    • T-max Tuner:
      Yes
  • Important Shipping Information

    Orders received by 1pm Eastern Standard Time for in-stock items ship the same business day. Order received after noon will ship the next business day. When an item is not in-stock we will ship it as soon as it becomes available. Typically in-stock items will ship first and backordered items will follow as soon as they are available. You have the option in check out to request that your order ship complete, if you'd prefer.

    A per-item shipping charge (in addition to the standard shipping and handling charge) applies to this product due to its size and weight. This charge varies based on the shipping method.

    Standard Delivery: $0.00
    Standard Delivery to Canada: $20.00
    3 Day Delivery: $35.00
    2 Day Delivery: $35.00
    Next Day Delivery: $50.00

    SHIPPING RESTRICTIONS APPLY FOR THIS PRODUCT

    This product is available to ship Standard delivery US except for delivery to Alaska and Hawaii. Delivery is available to APO/DPO/FPO addresses. Delivery is not available to US territories/protectorates. Delivery is available to Canada.

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