Baader Products For Solar Observing

Baader Products for Solar Observers

Solar observing has never been more popular than nowadays. Baader Planetarium offers a broad range of products for solar observers.

Easy Payment: We offer our customers several easy and fast payment methods. You will receive exact payment details when ordering or on request!


AstroSolar Filter Sheets: solar filter sheets for building your own solar filters. Excellent optical properties.	Custom Made Solar Filters: AstroSolar filters with custom made aluminium cell	Herrschel Prism: A solar prism for top contrast solar observing and imaging	Solar Continuum: Contrast enhancing filters for solar observing. Reduce negative effects of seeing conditions

Calcium Line Filters: for observing flares in the sun's atmosphere	Solar Spectrum H-Alpha: Professional sub-angstrom H-Alpha filters	Solar Filter For Finderscopes: AstroSolar filter in aluminium cell for 50mm standard finderscopes	TS Solar Scanner: a practical tool for solar observers - check how much there is to see on the sun within seconds

Please send requests or online orders to: sales@telescope-service.com

$Sun with 4" achromatic refractor and Astrosolar filter sheet$	$Sun with 4" refractor and Baader Herrschel prism$
Image of our sun taken with a 4" achromatic refractor with the photographical AstroSolar filter sheet. Effective focal length: 3000mm TP 2415 Image taken by Wolfi Ransburg	A group of sunspots through a 4" achromatic refractor using the Baader 2" Herrschel prism. Effective focal length: 8000mm TP 2415 Image taken by Wolfi Ransburg

Din A4 (approx. 29x20cm) Baader AstroSolar Filter sheet

star image with astrosolar filter

The Baader AstroSolar filter foil has a perfect optical performance. It is superior to conventional glass filters and filter sheets

The Baader Astro Solar (tm) Solar filter foil has been elected Astronomy Product of the Decade in the United States

This filter foil has no micro-holes at all due to a carefully applied coating on both sides! Perfect safety for your eyes and ultimate contrast are the result. The sun appears as a neutral white disc in front of a black background. Contrast is much better than in conventional glass filters and other filter sheets!

The foil is very homogenous and therefore exceptionally tearproof. Damage is less likely than in glass filters that may break.

Baader's Astro Solar filter foil has been critically tested by Peter Rucks of Maschinenfabrik Pleiger. The result was sensational!

The filter sheet met or surpassed diffraction limited performance in each and all tests. Even in top-quality refractors there was no noticeable image breakdown. The image of an artificial star to the left was taken with the Astro Solar sheet attached. You can see the first-class optical performance yourself!

The Result of the Test: Given an ideal 100% image quality of a telescope the Baader Astro Solar (tm) filter foil reaches an enormous 94.1%. The standard Mylar foil which had been tested under the same circumstances reached a mere 57.2%. Likewise, most tested glass solar filters didn't nearly reach 90%.

The optical quality of the Baader Astro Solar (tm) filter foil equals that of top-quality refractor objectives!

Art. No.	Short description	Price - Euro incl. VAT
B2459284	"Big Size" Filter sheet D=5 (visual use) 117x117cm	275.-
Sofi 100	Filter sheet D=5 (visual use) 100x50cm	63.-
Sofi 50	Filter sheet D=5 (visual use) approx. 49x50cm	38.-
Sofi A4	Filter sheet D=5 (visual use) approx. 20x29 cm	19.90
Sofi 100 fot	Filter sheet D=3.8 (photographical use) 100x50cm visual use only in combination with a suitable eyepiece filter	63.-
Sofi 50 fot	Filter sheet D=3.8 (photographical use) 49x50cm visual use only in combination with a suitable eyepiece filter	38.-
Sofi A4 fot	Filter sheet D=3.8 (photographical use) 25x20cm visual use only in combination with a suitable eyepiece filter	24.-

Aperture Solar Filters with Baader AstroSolar Filter Sheet

custom made aluminium cells with Astrosolar filter

Aperture Solar Filters with Custom-Made Aluminium Body and Top Quality Baader Astro Solar (tm) Filter foil

Baader Astro-Solar (tm) filter foil in a stable and precisely fitting aluminium body. Very lightweight. We offer filters for any telescope size.

The filter foil used in these filters is the excellent Baader Astro Solar filter foil. For details on its superior optical quality please see here. You can choose between photographical and visual filter foil.

You can also choose between an off-axis or full aperture filter. We recommend the full aperture version.

Further filter sizes on request!

When ordering please include the following details:
- Precise outside diameter of your telescope tube front end.
- Off-axis or full aperture.
- Free aperture of the filter.

We offer intermediate sizes as well. The price is the one of the larger filter.

Prices:

Filter size	Price - Euro incl. VAT	Filter size	Price - Euro incl. VAT
4" free aperture	86.-	10" free aperture	157.-
5" free aperture	96.-	12" free aperture	187.-
6" free aperture	106.-	14" with 6" Off Axis aperture	177.-
8" free aperture	126.-	16" with 6" Off Axis aperture	213.-
9" free aperture	136.-	20" with 8" Off Axis aperture	239.-

Please send requests or online orders to: sales@telescope-service.com

2" Herrschel (Solar) Prism
Highest contrast solar observing and imaging

Baader 2" Herrschel prism

Baader solar prism and a sun image taken with it

Baader 2" Herrschel Prism - For High Contrast Solar Observing and Imaging

This prism reflects away the large majority of the sun's light. Only about 4.6% are permitted through the prism. You can use further filters to reduce the remaining light's intensity, be it through neutral filters or contrast enhancing filters like the Solar Continuum.

Light Baffle
Many simple Herrschel prisms have problems with the reflected away light. It heats the inside of the prism, or may even accidentally hit the observer. In the Baader Herrschel Prism a dedicated Light Baffle scatters the light until there is no more risk of heating up. This both increases operation safety and performance.

Use Only In Refractors
Herrschel Prisms are made only for use in refractor telescopes. No optical component (like a secondary mirror in a reflector) should be anywhere near the focal plane. this also rules out the use of a field flattening lens close to the focuser. Newtonians, Schmidt-Cassegrains and other reflecting telescopes should not be used with a Herrschel prism at all. Damage might occur to the optical components near the focal plane, caused by the intense heat of the unfiltered sunlight.
For such telescopes we recommend the Baader AstroSolar Filters.

Solar prism adaptation for cameras

The Photographical Variant of the Herrschel Prism. It offers a short adaptation for your camera. The resulting shorter optical length allows you to use the prism in refractors with a relatively short back focus.
You can of course refit the Visual Herrschel Prism for photographical use with the "HE Foto" kit.

Using The Filters

Both the visual and photographical prism variants allow you to insert 2" filters behind the prism without adding much to the optical length. You cannot use the filters in front of the prisms because the unfiltered sunlight would destroy the filters with its enormous heat.

You need not take out the filters when exchanging eyepieces.

The filters in the scope of delivery are coated and precisely polished for optimal performance.

You will therefore have an excellent contrast and image sharpness both for visual and photographical applications!

Prices and Scope of Delivery:

Item No.	Short description	Price - Euros incl. VAT
Ba He V	2" Herrschel Prism for primarily visual use. telescope connection: 2" barrel - eyepiece connection: 2" clamp with 2" filter holder 2" neutral density filter ND3.0 ... 2" contrast enhancing filter Solar Continuum .. Further Information on the Filter	395.-
Ba He F	2" Herrschel Prism for primarily photographical use. telescope connection: 2" barrel - eyepiece connection: T2 thread 2" filter holder 2" neutral density filters ND3.0 ... ND1.8 ... ND0.9 ... ND0.6 ... 2" Solar Continuum filter	460.-
T2	T-rings for most common SLR cameras. Please specify the exact camera type!	20.-
HE Foto	Refits the Ba He V for photographical use. Consists of Baader adaptors No. 27 and 25C	36.-

Please send requests or online orders to: sales@telescope-service.com

Solar Continuum - Contrast Boosting Filters For Solar Observing

The Baader Solar Continuum filter permits only a very narrow spectral range of the sunlight, offering a number of advantages:

- contrast on the sun's surface is enhanced. Details like flares at the sun's rim or details within sunspots become clearer and easier to see.

- false colour of achromatic refractors or ED refractors has no more negative influence on the image. The image is equally sharp in a simple achromat and a triplet apochromat.

- the Solar Continuum filter isn't just a coloured glass filter, it was made specifically for solar observing.

- the narrow spectral window reduces negative influence of seeing (turbulences). Fine details can be seen more easily.

Baader solar continuum filters: transmission curve

The Baader Solar Continuum Filter permits only a very narrow spectral region a little below 540nm. This is the spectral region where flares and sunspot structures have the best contrast.

Because of the very narrow spectral bandwidth even short focal ratio Fraunhofer refractors (e.g. f/5) are turned into high contrast solar telescopes. False colour does not negatively influence the image quality.

The filter has an age-resistant dielectric coating. It is very robust and scratch resistant. Precisely polished optical surface offer best possible contrast and image sharpness.

Tip For Practical Use

Due to the narrow spectral window the Solar Continuum filter dims the image brightness considerably. We find it too dark when combined with the regular ND5 filter sheet in telescopes under 150mm aperture. A number of practical tests suggest the following combinations:

Photographical AstroSolar Filter Sheet - like the classical AstroSolar, but it permits much more light. ..... Further Information
TS Neutral Density Filter ND 0.3 (50% Transmission) .... for telescopes up to 90mm aperture ..... Further Information
TS Neutral Density Filter ND 0.6 (25% Transmission) .... for telescopes from 100mm aperture .... Further Information

.... combined with the Solar Continuum filter. For photographical use you will of course not need the neutral density filters.

The Solar Continuum filter also works particularly well with the Baader Herrschel Prism

Solar Continuum Gallery. Just click on the image.

Prices:

Item No.	Short description	Price - Euros incl. VAT
BA SO 1	Solar Continuum filter for 1.25" eyepieces - dielectric coating - with plastic case	65.-
BA SO 2	Solar Continuum filter for 2" eyepieces - dielectric coating - with plastic case	104.-
TS SO Kit for telescopes up to 150mm aperture	Set price only if bought along with a Solar Continuum filter. For visual & photographical applications with Telescopes up to approx. 150mm aperture: Baader AstroSolar ND3.8 Photographical filter sheet (20x25cm)otografische Filterfolie von Baader ( 20x25cm ). You can build your own high quality solar filter. incl. TS ND 03 or TS ND 06 neutral density filter (depending on telescope aperture, see description above) For safe observing you further need the Baader Infrared Cut Filter (BA IR 1). This filter is not required for photographical use.	29.-
BA IR 1	Infrared / UV Cut Filter - permits only the visual part of the spectrum. Blocks IR and UV which are not well blocked by the photographical filter sheet and Solar Continuum Filters.	45.-
Sofi A4	ND5 Visual AstroSolar filter sheet (approx. 20x29cm). To be used with telescopes from 150mm aperture. You will not need the IR / UV cut filter.	19.90

Protective Cases

The first "stacked" 1.25" filter for digital cameras and webcams. Used for taking images of the sun's Calcium spectral line. The filter permits the 393nm and 396nm lines, resulting in an intensely blue image. The filter is particularly suited for reflecting telescopes. If used with a refractor the telescope should have a good contrast in the blue spectral region.

What You Can See:
The Calcium lines reveal the region of the sun between the photosphere (white light filters) and the Chromosphere (H-Alpha). You can see flares over the entire sun's surface. Around sunspot groups you will see bright zones and a higher density of flares. The filter is particularly recommended for use in Newtonian telescopes.

image comparison: K-line versus solar continuum filter

Direct comparison between the Solar Continuum and K-line filters. Contrast in flare regions is considerably enhanced.

Attention: The filter on its own does not dampen the sun's light suffieciently for safe operation. You will also need a filter made of the Baader ND3.8 photographical filter sheet. We also offer custom made filters in aluminium cell. ..... Further Information

Price:

Item No.	Short description	Price - Euros incl. VAT
BA KA 1	BAADER Calcium Line Filter - screws into 1.25" eyepieces with the standard filter thread. Narrow spectral windows around 393nm and 396nm Incl. AstroSolar ND3.8 photographical filter sheet (20x25cm)	245.-

Protective Cases

image of the sun taken with a solar spectrum H-Alpha filter

Solar-Spectrum H-Alpha Filters are professional filters for observing the sun in its most active spectral line: H-Alpha. With its sub-Angstrom bandwidth it reveals plenty of detail, such as prominences, filaments, ...

Unlike some other H-Alpha filters you do not need to reduce the aperture of the telescope. Large aperture filters become affordable. That way you can observe and photograph the sun's H-Alpha regions with an excellent resolution and contrast.

A complete filter consists of:
- Telecentric Lens Attachment (offers parallel light to the filter proper)
- ERF Energy Reduction Filter (aperture side filter that blocks most of the incoming sunlight)
- The H-Alpha Filter Proper (available with several different bandwidths depending on your requirements)

Further Information and Prices (German only at the moment)

TS 8x50 finderscope with installed solar filter

Many telescopes are equipped with a 8x50 finderscope. For these finderscopes we have developed a dedicated solar filter.

Scope of Delivery:
- precision aluminium cell
- filter made of Baader AstroSolar Filter sheet .. Further Information

Applications:
- safe location of the sun's exact position without having to look at the sun
- use your finderscope to check the sun's activity before setting up the entire equipment!

Examples of Compatible Finderscopes:
- 8x50 erect image 90 degree finderscope.... Further Information
- low cost Chinese / Taiwanese finders ...... Further Information

Item No.	Short description	Price - Euros incl. VAT
Sofi Su50	Solar filter with aluminium cell for many 50mm finderscopes	49.-

A New TS Product - The TS Solar Scanner - It Uses The Baader Astro-Solar Filter Sheet

The ideal mate for quick solar observers.

Our Solar Scanner will fit in every pocket and even comes with a soft case - just carry it around like your cellphone. You will never again miss a promising group of sunspots!

You may know the problem: The sun is shining, you have a few minutes but wouldn't set up your heavy telescope with its solar filter only to check whether there is something interesting going on on the sun. With the TS Solar Scanner you will be observing the sun in less than ten seconds!

You do not have a telescope for solar observations? The TS Solar Scanner will bring to you joyful observations of the most important star that is out there - our own sun.

A Nice Touch: You can take off the solar filter and use the TS Solar Scanner as a practical tool for terrestrial observations, just like binoculars, but with one eye.

A Dedicated Solar Finder: Have you ever tried to find the sun in your telescope? Since you cannot use your normal finderscope this tends to be a tedious and lengthy affair. Not with the TS Solar Scanner: With the optional bracket it fits standard finder quick release bases - use it as a 10x25mm solar finderscope and find the sun within seconds!
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Specifications:

- Aperture 25mm, Magnification 10x, Field of View 5.8°
- Fully coated optics
- length only 11cm
- rubber armour
- focus by turning the eyepiece

Prices
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Item No.	Short description	Price - Euros incl. VAT
TS Solar Scanner	Solar Scanner compact instrument for solar observing	29.-
6x30 Sucherhalter	Adjustable bracket for Solar Scanner. You can mount the solar scanner as a finderscope on your telescope. The bracket is also a practical handle for less shaky free-handed use of the Solar Scanner	19.-
TS Solar Scanner Bino	Binocular version of the Solar Scanner	55.-