We are excited to announce that Lunt Solar is entering Imaging!

We get asked all the time what camera is best with the Lunt Solar scopes and
filter now we can say ours. Below are the details of the new Lunt Solar
Imager (LSi). We have these ready for immediate delivery.

The price is $2,295.00.

Lunt Solar Imager

(as used on National Geographic’s, Easter Island Eclipse)

Includes the Lunt Solar Imager (LSi), Custom Lunt Solar Software (also
compatible with standard nighttime software for night use), and Lunt Solar
imaging instructions for use with the Lunt Solar scopes.

CCD type: Sony ICX285AL Exview HAD CCD with ultra low dark current, extended IR response and vertical anti-blooming.

CCD quality: Grade 1 or better – No bad columns, no dead pixels, no more
than 6 ‘hot’ pixels (saturated in <10 seconds).

CCD Full resolution Pixel data: Pixel size: 6.45uM x 6.45uM, Image format: 1392 x 1040 pixels

CCD Image area: 8.98mm (Horizontal) x 6.7mm (Vertical).

Spectral Response: QE max at 540nM (~65%), 50% roll-off at 400nM and 750nM.

Readout Noise: Less than 7 electrons RMS – typically ONLY 5 electrons! 

Full-well capacity: Greater than 23,000 e- (un-binned)

Anti-blooming: Overload margin greater than 800x.

Dark current: Dark frame saturation time greater than 100 hours. Less than
0.02 electrons/second @ + 10C ambient.

Data format: 16 bits.

System gain:  0.45 electrons per ADU

Computer Interface: Built-in USB 2.0 compatible interface. 

Image download time: Typically 0.6 seconds full resolution using USB 2.0,
approximately 2 seconds with USB 1.1.

Power requirements: 115VAC / 240VAC @ 12VA, or 12VDC @ 750mA max.

Cooling system: Regulated set-point cooling supply with single stage
thermoelectric cooler to give a CCD temperature of up to -30C below ambient.

Size: 75 x 70mm red anodized aluminum barrel with 42mm ‘T2′ thread at the
CCD window end & input/output plugs at rear.

Weight: approx. 300g

Lunt will provide full support and instructions for Solar Imaging.

The sun continues to put on quite a show today with its array of active regions.  The image below shows AR1226 and 1227 with their collection of dancing filaments.   Currently there are six active regions visible on the sun, providing a lot of different things to view and image!  It will be exciting to see what unfolds over the next few days as some of these regions have been producing C-class flares.

For the last few weeks the sun has grown quiet again.  After spoiling many of us with awesome active regions, prominences, filaments, etc…  Well over the last couple days the sun has unleashed a angry display with AR1226 and AR1227 which has unleashed several C-class flares!  Solar observers around the world are urged to keep the scopes trained on the sun for the next several days.

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.

The sun has slowly been starting to kick up once again and imagers across the globe have been capturing amazing shots!

Peter Desypris of Greece shot these awesome up close images using his LS60THa Double Stack.

Please keep sending in your images and we will post them here on our blog!

The sun has truly started to kick up in activity over the last few days.  Yesterday many observers woke to the news that an X2 class flare had emitted and now today a second region of sunspots has come into view.  Solar observers and images are urged to go out and take a look!  Here are so images captured yesterday morning with an LS100THa and DMK41.

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.