This full review below was sent to us my Mr. Mitsuyoshi Konuma of Japan after receiving his LS152THa.  This review and its photos are entirely written by Mr. Konuma and he was kind enough to share it with us.

 

Lunt LS152 Report at Tainai Star Party

This is a report of LS152T/PT which I introduced at Tainai Star Party, one of the Japanese largest star party, in late August/2011.

I planed to buy a Lunt solar telescope in early August. I luckily found a second hand LS152 at www.luntsolarsystems.com blog. I bought it.
I received it one week before the Tinai Star Party. It was cloudy at that time. I bring it to the star party.

The first day, Friday 26th/Aug, it is rain in the morning. The Sun appears in the afternoon, it was the First Light of my Lunt LS152.
It is fine on Saturday and Sunday. I let people watch the Sun with LS152.

Hundreds of people come to watch this telescope. All of them are surprised at the wonderful view of the Sun. There are only two people who have seen LS152 before, but more than 99% people, including very experienced sky watchers, have never seen it before. Me, either.

We can easily watch details of prominences. Experienced people always say ‘Victory of Large Diameter’ or ‘Victory of New Lunt Technology’. Some people come to this Tainai Star Party with Lunt LS60, Coronado 60 DS, and Coronado 90. We can watch the detail with LS152 best. Perhaps SM60 DS is the best to watch very pale pattern of solar surface. But LS152 is the best to watch small pattern if it is visible (the contrast is deep enough).

They are also surprised at the price. Only five or six people know how much LS152 is. Most of people do not. The lowest anticipation was $12500. But it was $5200. Even a brand new one is $7450 as you know.

People often make long waiting line for this telescope. The longest line is about 25 people.

Photo 11 People Making Line.I explain how to observe solar, what prominence is, and so on.
About a quarter of people are children. I give certification cards that says ‘You watch prominences with solar telescope’ to more than 100 children.

Photo 21 Pretty lady observing.

Here is another photo of children who are given certification cards.

Photo 31 Certification Card.

Here is a girl wearing black shirt. Her name is Hikari. She is a daughter of my friend. She is two years old. She is good at looking into telescope. Perhaps she has watched a telescope before. Of course this is the first time for her to watch a solar telescope. The guy with blue cap in photo 43 is my friend, Hikari’s father.

Photo 43 Hikari, daughter of my friend.

Hikari cooperated me handing on pens to children who are given the cards.

 

	<=== She is here.
Photo 41 Waiting for finishing observation to hand on pens.

 

Another young boy, perhaps three years old, could not look into telescope.

Photo 51 His first time to watch telescope.By the way, you can find something round black one in the photo, especially in photo 42 and 43. It is a kind of sunshade. It is made from a board reflector. It is very convenient.

We enjoy Saturn and some other stars after dark with another telescope. I also give children the certification card of ‘You watched Vega’, ‘Albireo’, and so on.

I have spent most of three days and two nights standing beside my telescope. Of course a solar telescpe must locate under strong sunshine. Me, too. I had no time to take shower for three days (^^).  I bought 31 small telescopes, 3 binoculars, 15 jumelles, 12 microscopes, 1 blue ray disc of Asteroid Probe Hayabusa, some green laser pointers, and some other goods at the star party. I hear that over 2000 people come to this star party at the point of opening ceremony on Friday evening. Perhaps more people come after that. Very interesting and busy Tainai Star Party is done-and-dusted.

 

 

PERFECT FOR…..

Being the largest aperture Solar Telescope currently available, the LS152 is sure to provide the most stunning balance of resolution and performance.

This package is perfect for the Intermediate to Advanced User.

If it is image scale you’re after, the LS152 provides the largest and highest resolution image size of any single etalon dedicated scope.  The 100% unobstructed system will perform to the highest level at both low and high magnifications.  Utilizing both advanced hi-contrast coatings, and the new Doppler True Pressure Tuning system, the user will be able to experience crisp, sharp, high magnification visual images, as well as utillize this system for high end digital processes.

This system has an optional, interchangeable, CaK module allowing for the research of multiple wave lengths thru the same platform.

Package Features

Advanced Narrow Band Hydrogen-alpha Dedicated System.

A refractor based system with a 152mm front objective.

An unobsructed internal HD Etalon with the NEW Pressure Tuner allows for <0.65 Angstrom bandpass, providing slightly higher surface detail without the loss of edge detail.

The system includes the mounting rings and dovetail, dust caps, and is delivered in an Aluminum re-enforced case.

A Lunt Zoom Eyepiece is included.
* On new orders of the LS152T only (NOT included on LS200T transfer orders)
Additional accessories maybe required (see below). Please ask your dealer.

Customer Solar Images:

• Larry Alvarez
• Savio Fong
• Pedro Re
• Your Image Gallery here?

For more images visit the Lunt Solar Image Gallery

LS152THa Specifications: (single stacked)

• Type: Single Interference HD Etalon
• Optical Aperture: 152mm
• Etalon: Internal <0.65 Angstrom @ 656nm
• Tuning: Internal Pressure Tune (Doppler True Tuning)
• Image Scale:
• Focal Length: 900mm
• F Ratio: F6
• Focuser: Starlight Feathertouch Focuser
• Diagonal: B1200 Blocking Filter (B1800 needed for imaging)
• Mounting:
• Color: Pearl White with Black and Red accents
• Storage: Aluminum finished hard case with fitted foam
• Weight: 30 lbs
• Skill Level: Intermediary thru Advanced
• Starting at: US$7,644.00

Required Blocking Filter: (see “blocking filters”)

• B1200 for standard visual use (included)
• B1800 for larger field of view and imaging applications (upgrade)

Included Accessories: (see “accessories”)

• Eyepiece: Lunt Zoom Eyepiece - For New orders only.
  (Eyepiece NOT included with LS200T transfer orders)
• Mounting: Lunt 12″ Dovetail

Optional Accessories: (see “accessories”)

• SunFinder: Televue Sol Searcher

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

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

But there’s more……

The LS152THa is available in many optional variations, here are a few examples to aid in description and part numbers for pricing.

LS152THa/B1200/FT
* Standard system with B1200 visual use blocking filter and upgraded Feathertouch Focuser
Retail Price: US$7,644.00

LS152THa/B1800/FT
* Standard system with B1800 imaging upgraded blocking filter and upgraded Feathertouch Focuser
Retail Price: US$7,994

LS152THa/B3400/FT
* Standard system with B3400 imaging upgraded blocking filter and upgraded Feathertouch Focuser
Retail Price: US$8,798

The LS152T can aslo be converted for CaK use:

LS152TCaK/MD
* Calcium K module for the 152T with internal 2.4 Angstrom BF and standard Crayford Focuser
Retail Price: US$1,200

To convert the LS152T back for Night time use you will need the backing plate and Focuser assembly:

LS152T/BP&C
* Backing plate and Standard Crayford Focuser for Nighttime viewing
Retail Price: US$299

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

True Doppler Tuning allows for a shift into and away from the user.  Adding a 3D like component to the viewing experience. While it has minimal effect on proms due to their being at the edge of the disk, it does have an effect on filaments and active regions on the surface.  While looking at a filament at the center of the Sun the user has the ability to Doppler shift from the base of the filament to the tip, following the filament thru it’s structure toward you and away from you. Allowing for enhanced visual and imaging capability for the observer as well as a research tool for the avid hobbyist.  The pressure tuning system provides an order of magnitude more precision to the tuning of the desired features.

Pre-orders will be shipped in the order they are received.
Prices are subject to change without notice.

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 $598 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.

 

Yesterday, amateur astronomer Brian Shelton imaged the sun with his LS152T and what an image it was!  The images looks as if you are orbiting the sun itself!

Great job Brian!

Its amazing the images we are getting so please keep sending 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 152T and the 160F. Solar observing is both fun and educational. Don’t miss out on Solar Maximum.

This past Saturday was the SCAE at Oceanside Photo and Telescope!  Thank you to all who came out and saw the Lunt booth!

The event has been given a small write up and some photos in the North County Times.  Check it out!:  LINK

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 Maximu

Lunt Solar Systems will be attending the SCAE event at OPT in Oceanside, California this Saturday, July 17th, 2010!  If you are in the area please stop by and take a look through our scopes!  Andy Lunt will be giving a talk  about his recent eclipse trip to Easter Island.  Come see him talk and answer any questions you may have!

Hope to see you there!

www.optcorp.com/scae.aspx

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. Feel free to contact us with question or comments and we’d be happy to help.