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.

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.

——————————–

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.

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!

Over the last week the sun has truly begun to awaken from its long sleep.  The small active regions that appeared early in the week grew into the monster AR1158.  The active region was the first to release an X-Class flare in this solar cycle.  Countless images of the region are posted all over the internet as solar observers trained their scopes onto the active region.  While AR1158 glides over the far limp of the sun active regions 1161 and 1162 have been putting on quite a show, producing large M-Class flares.  While this week has been quite exciting there is something more around the bend.  The Stero-B space craft has been observing a large active region on the far side of the sun, this region should come into view over the next week or so.  Observers are urged to keep their scopes ready as the sun is now beginning to show some life!

We enjoy seeing images from happy customer, please continue so keep sending us your images!

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.

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.

This image was taken a few days ago by solar imager Kevin Fookes and his LS60THa!  Impeccable detail seen through out the image!

Please keep sending us your images and we will get them posted up on the 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.

We love seeing the awesome images people are producing with their Lunt Solar Systems!  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 152T and the 160F. Solar observing is both fun and educational. Don’t miss out on Solar Maximum.

One such sketcher is Alan Strauss.  Alan has become a well respected solar sketch artist on the forums of Cloudy Nights, posting a sketch nearly every morning!  Much of Alan’s work is done through his LS60THa/PT and his TEC140ED with a Lunt Solar Wedge for white light.  His sketches truly capture an impressive amount of detail!  Detailed surface detail, strong active regions, dark filaments, and raging prominences can all be seen in his sketches, much like a CCD image!  Below is one of his sketches through his LS60THa/PT.

While Alan does much of his sketching from his home observatory, Lost Pleiad Observatory, he does bring out his gear to some of the larger Arizona star parties.  I had the pleasure of meeting Alan and his good friend and observing partner Jerry Farrar at the All Arizona Messier Marathon in March 2010.  Both of them spent nearly an hour and half sketching through the LS60T, TEC140, and LS152T making sure they caught every last detail!

(One of Alan’s White Light Sketches)

Though Alan spends a considerable amount of time under the sun, he also does a lot of deep sky work, sketching galaxies, nebula, and star clusters; all of which can be seen on his website (click the link above).

Sketching takes time and practice like anything else, Alan gives thanks to his observing partner Jerry Farrar for teaching him the ways of sketching and observing. Alan plans to continue his sketching, always refining his techniques and constantly learning.  He hopes to one day upgrade to the LS100THa which will provide even high resolution and help capture finer details!

Sketching is indeed an art, it requires patients and a steady eye.  So give it a try next time your out on a scope!  Even just a basic drawing of what you see, this can help with further observations, maybe through different scopes, different filters, and different observing sites.  Most importantly, go out and have a good time!

(Alan’s White Light set up; TEC140ED with Lunt 2″ Solar Wedge)

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.