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.

LOOK AGAIN !!!!! The next generation of Solar telescopes continues to Evolve…

Here is a bit of info… The image is shown with the optional DSII added.

1) The DSII will soon be available on ALL Lunt dedicated scopes including the LS152T!!

2) This same module will also be available as a rear end addition to the Celestron C11 and C14. This package will include the Lunt True ERF to safely aperture the scope to the appropriate size, removing both UV and IR energy from the optical path.  A straight thru BF will be integrated into the module for enhanced viewing.

The LS80T/PT (pressure tuned) is a complete and dedicated Solar Telescope with an Image Scale of 408.  Image scale is calculated by the effective image size at the focal plain and the clear aperture of the scope.  A precision aligned ED refractor with a fully un-obstructed 80mm optical aperture. This package provides a significant step up into the Intermediary category of Daytime Solar Observing, Maintaining the most advanced technology of Doppler True Tuning for fine adjustment of the center wavelength, allowing research of the Sun’s disk and surface details at increased image scale.  Prominences, flares, super granulation, filaments, and active regions will be observed.

The LS80T package is fully upgradeable with several options including the NEW evolutionary Dual Internal Stack Etalon System (DSII). The DSII eliminates the need for an external doublestack etalon reducing cost and eliminating obstructions. The system is 100% un-obstructed. The bandpass is reduced to <0.5 Angstroms. See the Sun’s weather in stunning high definition.

Customer Solar Images:

• Olivier Hardy
• Ted Dobosz
• Brian Colville
• Jurij Stare
• Geert Vandenbulcke
• Your Image Gallery here?

For more images visit the Lunt Solar Image Gallery

LS80T/PT Specifications: (single stacked)

• Optical Aperture: 80mm (Unobstructed)
• Etalon: Internal <0.7 Angstrom
• Tuning: Internal Pressure Tune (Doppler True Tuning)
• Image Scale: 408
• Focal Length: 560mm
• F Ratio: 7
• Focuser: Crayford with 10:1 fine adjustment
• Mounting: Integrated clamshell style with 1/4-20 tapped base
• Storage: Aluminum finished hard case with fitted foam
• Weight: 14 lbs
• Starting at: US$3,246.00

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”)

• Sun Finder: Televue Sol Searcher
• Mounting: Lunt 6″ Dovetail
• Eyepiece: Lunt Zoom Eyepiece
• Case: Aluminum Finished Hard Case with Custom Foam

Optional Accessories: (see “accessories”)

• Focuser: Startlight Feathertouch

The LS80T can be internally double stacked (see LS80T/DSII) at time of purchase or anytime thereafter.  Doublestacking provides a truly enhanced high definition view the Sun’s surface details.  The LS80T/PT does not need to be returned to the factory for doublestacking.

Part Number: LS80Ha/PT/DSII

Retail: US$1,495.00

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

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

But there’s more……

The LS80T/PT is available in many optional variations, here are a few examples to aid in description and part numbers for pricing.

LS80THa/PT/B1200/C

* Standard system with B1200 visual use blocking filter and standard Crayford Focuser

Retail Price: US$3,246.00

LS80THa/PT/B1200/C

* Standard system with B1200 visual use blocking filter and upgraded Feathertouch Focuser

Retail Price: US$3,665.00

LS80THa/PT/B1800/C

* Standard system with B1800 imaging upgraded blocking filter and standard Crayford Focuser

Retail Price: US$3,596.00

LS80THa/PT/B1800/FT

* Standard system with B1800 imaging upgraded blocking filter and upgraded Feathertouch Focuser

Retail Price: US$4,016.00

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.

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.