This year the GCSP: South Rim was held at the newly refurbished Visitor Center which is the main hub for anything on the south rim.  From here visitors can take several buses all across the southern rim, from Hermits Rest on the Western Rim to the famous Desert View Watch Tower on the Eastern rim.  This is certainly the place to been when trying to grab visitors!

The GCSP is mainly a night event, starting a 8pm with a talk into the visitor center’s auditorium then visitors are allows to wonder the forest of telescopes for the remainder of the evening.  This year the count was nearly 60 telescope, some as large as 28″!  While most astronomers ran deep into the night there were a few that caught the eye of the public during the day!

(Chris Palmer of the “Red Light District” (RLD) outreach team explains solar prominences to a group of tourists).

This year was quite impressive compared to years past, the amount of solar outreach during the day has grown.  This year several solar scopes were spotted all over the park.  Many of them are new to solar observing while others not so much.  The solar observers do a wonderful job at informing people about the evenings activities as well as educating them on our nearest star!  During the day some managed to talk to over 350 people during the four hour observing period!  Passers by were blown away by the views of erupting sun spots and flares!  One guest turned out to be a Solar Physicist who became quite impressed with the view through the Lunt LS100THa.

(Kevin LeGore of Lunt Solar Systems and Chris Palmer of the RLD show a UK Solar Physist the sun through the LS100THa).

As the days progressed the solar telescopes were moved to the main observing field to grab the last few hours of the sun before setting over the western horizon.  Several groups stopped by to take a look through the array of solar equipment from 40mm double stacked scopes to the 11″ white light telescope.  A large group from Asia stood in line for nearly a half hour, patiently awaiting their turn to see our star!

(Solar observers getting their last looks at the setting sun).

Solar astronomy is indeed an important part of astronomy outreach.  This aspect of astronomy can show the importance of solar energy and the impact that our sun has on our daily lives.  During the eight day event solar observers shared the sun with over a 1000 people!  Viewing the sun is something that very few ever have to chance to do and sharing it with someone is indeed an awesome experience.

The Grand Canyon Star Party will be back next year for its 22nd year from June 16-23.  A smaller event is possibly in the works for the May 20th eclipse next year as well!

Check out this recently captured image of AR1236.  This image was captured by Howard Eskildsen using a LS B600 CaK module on a Orion 80ED refractor.  The CaK filters do an exceptional job for viewing the plage areas around the sunspot as it can clearly be seen in this image.  Another feature that is a little bit rarer is the “Light Brigde”.  The light bridge can be seen between the main sunspot, as small and slender white line dividing the sunspot.

Excellent job Howard!

Calcium K (Ca-K) Telescopes and Filters are used to study the wavelength of 393.4nm. This emission line is one of 2 that are produced by Calcium just at the edge of the visible spectrum in a layer that is slightly lower and cooler than the layer viewed in Hydrogen-alpha. The emission line displays areas of Super Granulation Cells that are brightest and strongest in areas of high magnetic fields such as sunspot activity and active regions. Having the ability to study the Calcium K and the Hydrogen-alpha line provides important insights into the structure, strength, and depth of these active regions.

The Calcium K line is centered at 393.4nm. This wavelength is considered to be slightly outside the visible spectrum on the UV side. While most people can visually see the violet color of the wavelength, many cannot resolve the contrast due to yellowing of the cornea. People who have had cataract surgery are often able to see considerable detail. But, it is for these reasons that the Ca-K line is typically studied via the use of cameras which are able to provide stunning details.

Internal narrowband filters allow for a <2.4 Angstrom bandpass. Primarily an imaging system due to the difficulty of many to visually see everything that CaK has to offer.

Delivered with order:
• Star Diagonal with T2 connection, for 2″ Focuser
• blocking filter B600 with IR and UV protection

Optional Accessories: (see “accessories“)

• Sun Finder: “TeleVue Sol Searcher“.
• Eyepiece: “Lunt Zoom Eyepiece“.

You may also be interested in: (see “merchandise“)

• Lunt Solar Hat
• Lunt Solar Polo or Tank Top Shirt

But there’s more……

The CaK Module is available in many optional variations, here are a few examples to aid in description and part numbers for pricing.

LS6CaKMDd2
* Calcium Module with B600 Blocking Filter – In star diagonal with T2 connection for telescopes up to 100mm aperture and 600mm focal length
Retail Price: US$599.00

LS6CaKMDd2
* Calcium Module with B600 Blocking Filter – In extension tube with T2 connection for telescopes up to 100mm aperture and 600mm focal length
Retail Price: US$599.00

LS12CaKMDd2
* Calcium Module with B1200 Blocking Filter – In star diagonal with T2 connection for telescopes up to 100mm aperture and 1200mm focal length
Retail Price: US$849.00

LS12CaKMDs2
* Calcium Module with B1200 Blocking Filter – In extension tube with T2 connection for telescopes up to 100mm aperture and 1200mm focal length
Retail Price: US$849.00

LS18CaKMDd2
* Calcium Module with B1800 Blocking Filter – In star diagonal with T2 connection for telescopes up to 100mm aperture and 1800mm focal length
Retail Price: US$995.00

LS18CaKMDs2
* Calcium Module with B1800 Blocking Filter – In extension tube with T2 connection for telescopes up to 100mm aperture and 1800mm focal length
Retail Price: US$995.00

LS34CaKMD
* Calcium Module with B1800 & B3400 Blocking Filter – In extension tube with T2 connection for telescopes up to 100mm aperture and 600mm focal length
Retail Price: US$1,695.00

These part numbers can be looked up in the Price List or call for more information.

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No-one brings you closer to our nearest Star than Lunt Solar Systems… the next generation of Solar Instrumentation.

About Lunt Solar Systems LLC…

Lunt Solar Systems is a manufacturing and sales facility located in Tucson, Arizona. Lunt Solar design, fabricate, assemble, and test solar telescopes and solar filters. Whether you are looking for a dedicated solar telescope or a solar filter for attachment to you own astronomy telescope, we can help. Solar telescopes models start at $499 for an LS35T (telescope) or the only slightly more expensive LS50F (filter), all the way thru the 152T and the 160F. Solar observing is both fun and educational. Don’t miss out on Solar Maximum.

Stephen Ramsden of the famous non-profit Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project snapped these two amazing images this morning using some of his personal Lunt gear.

This awesome image was captured with Stephen’s LS80THa single stack and a DMK41.  Detailed views of prominences, active regions and filaments can clearly be seen across the solar disk!  While things in H-alpha looked awesome the view in white light was also quite a sight!  The image below was captured using an Explore Scientific 127ED Triplet Apo. refractor using the Lunt 2″ Solar Wedge and DMK41 camera.  The crisp views of the granulation and awesome detailed images of the collection of sunspots makes this a truly awesome image!

For more information about Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project and the famous S.U.N.S.P.O.T. truck check out www.charliebates.org!

We truly enjoy seeing the images being shot with our products!  Please continue to keep sending in you images and we will put them on our blog.

About Lunt Solar Systems LLC…

Lunt Solar Systems is a manufacturing and sales facility located in Tucson, Arizona. Lunt Solar design, fabricate, assemble, and test solar telescopes and solar filters. Whether you are looking for a dedicated solar telescope or a solar filter for attachment to you own astronomy telescope, we can help. Solar telescopes models start at $499 for an LS35T (telescope) or the only slightly more expensive LS50F (filter), all the way thru the 152T and the 160F. Solar observing is both fun and educational. Don’t miss out on Solar Maximum.

As many people know our Newtonian based LS200THa solar scope never made it to the market and for the passed year the optics and tubes have remained in storage.  Well in mid-October 2010 the scopes were officially donated to Stephen Ramsden and his out reach organization known as the Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project.  These scopes will be distributed as kit projects to Georgia schools to help further the education in science and astronomy!  We are quite pleased to know that these scopes will be used for a good purpose.  Stephen would like to thank Andy Lunt, Rikki Hocking, Brian Stephens, Alan Traino, Theo Ramakers, Frank Garner, Tim Nix and Tom Sewell for helping making this awesome project come together.

Below are some pictures of the first kit donated being put together:

To learn more about the Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project please visit their website at www.charliebates.org

About Lunt Solar Systems LLC…

Lunt Solar Systems is a manufacturing and sales facility located in Tucson, Arizona. Lunt Solar design, fabricate, assemble, and test solar telescopes and solar filters. Whether you are looking for a dedicated solar telescope or a solar filter for attachment to you own astronomy telescope, we can help. Solar telescopes models start at $499 for an LS35T (telescope) or the only slightly more expensive LS50F (filter), all the way thru the LS152T and even the LS230T. Solar observing is both fun and educational. Don’t miss out on Solar Maximum.

LS100THa, LS80THa DSII, and LS152THa tracking the sun.

Alan trying out the new LS60FHa on his LS60THa Pressure Tune.  (Photo by Alan S.)

On Saturday we observed an M-Class solar flare rip its through the solar surface, Jerry and Alan had a hard time sketching it due to the rapid changes!  People seemed to enjoy having some solar scopes out to use during the day as well, we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!  Thanks for stopping by!

The weather is finally in the lower 80′s and being outdoors this time of year feels great. The heat is gone.

The skies were clear and transparent. Several of the local High Schools had put on a craft fair and car show. This was done to raise money for the School Graduation Fund. The fund was created so that graduating students could have a safe, drug free party to attend.

My wife Jennifer was attending the event as a vendor. She is a Licensed Massage Therapist that specializes in Prenatal and Sports Injury management.  (luck me :) She was offering chair massage to all the stressed out parents..
I was initially just planning on helping out with the booth, but saw a great opportunity to do some educational outreach with the kids. Unlike typical astronomy events that I attend, it did take a little more encouragment from me to get people interested in the solar scope. However, a few ooowws and ahhhs later, I had a short line of takers. For those that could observe this weekend, you also had a chance to view a fairly active Sun..

The mascot above is the Tucson Toro. The Toros are a local Baseball team.

While I know that most of the kids that took a look thru the scope had never looked at the Sun before, that is to be expected. I like to provide just a little education about the Sun while they are looking thru the scope.. Wether they know it or not, they will walk away with just a little more knowledge.

This gentleman came over to take a look.. He was amazed at what he saw and I loved his comment.. “I am 71 years old, and there is very little I haven’t seen. It’s always a great day when, even at my age, I get to experience something new and wonderful”.
For about the next 20 mins we chatted about everything Solar. About 10 minutes after he left, another couple of Sheriffs came by. They had been told to check out the scope at the school.. Very cool!!

All in all it was a great day. I have been invited back to do some “SAFE” outreach events. I am probably going to put together a small presentation about Solar education and some Solar safety tips…  

I would certainly suggest that anyone who owns a Solar scope and a small mount go out to their local events and simply set up. It’s a great way to share the hobby and make connections with people in your community.

About Lunt Solar Systems LLC…

Lunt Solar Systems is a manufacturing and sales facility located in Tucson, Arizona. Lunt Solar design, fabricate, assemble, and test solar telescopes and solar filters. Whether you are looking for a dedicated solar telescope or a solar filter for attachment to you own astronomy telescope, we can help. Solar telescopes models start at $499 for an LS35T (telescope) or the only slightly more expensive LS50F (filter), all the way thru the LS152T and even the LS230T. Solar observing is both fun and educational. Don’t miss out on Solar Maximum.

Well last week well known Solar Outreach guru and imager Stephen Ramsden of Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project aimed his 127EDT refractor at the nearly full moon and capture the 10 frame mosaic below.

Now I’m sure many of you are asking, what does this have to do with Lunt and solar astronomy?  Well this entire image was taken through a Lunt 2″ Solar Wedge!  The Solar Wedge was used without an of its polarizing filters as the wedge does all the work, most of the light passes through the wedge like it would with the sun passing only a fraction of the light up to the camera.  The final image was stitched using iMerge to give a beautiful Lunar Mosaic!

To see more images from Stephen as well as pictures from his countless solar out reach events please see his website: Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project

We love getting images from our users so please continue to send them in!

About Lunt Solar Systems LLC…

Lunt Solar Systems is a manufacturing and sales facility located in Tucson, Arizona. Lunt Solar design, fabricate, assemble, and test solar telescopes and solar filters. Whether you are looking for a dedicated solar telescope or a solar filter for attachment to you own astronomy telescope, we can help. Solar telescopes models start at $499 for an LS35T (telescope) or the only slightly more expensive LS50F (filter), all the way thru the LS152T and even the LS230T. Solar observing is both fun and educational. Don’t miss out on Solar Maximum.