Coronado SolarMax III 90mm f/8.8 Double-Stacked H-alpha Solar Telescope (15mm Blocking, OTA Only)

Description

Product Highlights

800mm f/8.8 Solar Viewing Refractor
For Prominence and Chromosphere Viewing
Easily Convert for Nighttime Use
Double-Stacked External H-Alpha Etalon
RichView and T-Max Etalon Tuning Systems
15mm Rear Diagonal Blocking Filter
<0.5Å Hydrogen-Alpha Wavelength
2-Speed 2" Rack-and-Pinion Focuser
Vixen-Style Dovetail Mounting Plate
Three Eyepieces, 2x Barlow, Solar Finder

Designed with dual external 90mm solar etalon filters, the Coronado SolarMax III 90mm f/8.8 Double-Stacked H-alpha Solar Telescope builds on the success of their earlier solar scope models to provide users with a powerful optic for solar and nighttime viewing. With the primary etalons positioned externally, users can simply and easily remove the front solar and rear blocking filters to convert the SolarMax III into a competent nighttime viewing telescope—greatly increasing the scope's versatility.

Its solar filter is specifically calibrated to isolate the hydrogen-alpha wavelength with a less than 0.5Å bandpass. The SM3's two etalons reduce the bandpass to refine the observation experience to see prominences in high contrast against the black backdrop of space, while revealing surface granulation and texture that broader bandpasses are unable to resolve. Each etalon has an independent tuning system that gives users the ability to precisely and easily bring them on band to improve contrast and enhance views when atmospheric interference or Doppler-shift cause the optical system to come off band. The primary etalon comes equipped with Coronado's rotating RichView tuning system, while the T-max tilt-tuner is employed on the secondary etalon. These two tuning methods ensure that interference between the two light paths is minimized, to further improve views.

The SolarMax III benefits from a precision 2" 7:1 dual-speed rack-and-pinion system. When used as a conventional scope, larger 2" conventional eyepieces and accessories can be used, though the more common 1.25" size is compatible when using the included 1.25" reducer adapter. The more precise focuser is complemented by a rear 90° 15mm blocking filter to provide a wide field of view and allows for full-disk viewing even with higher magnification eyepieces. This secondary blocking filter is used to further isolate the H-alpha wavelength for improved contrast on surface granulation, and prominence detail. This larger blocking filter also enables the use of eyepieces with greater field-stop diameters to be used without vignetting occurring, as might occur with smaller-aperture blocking filters.

To get users started, Coronado includes a 2-to-1.25" reducer adapter and three CEMAX eyepieces that produce low, medium, and high powers, plus a 2x Barlow lens that doubles the magnification of each eyepiece. The eyepiece holder and blocking filter will accept any 2" solar eyepiece or accessory, and with the reducer adapter any 1.25" eyepiece can also be used. The optical tube assembly is offered here without a mount or tripod, but comes with a Vixen-style dovetail plate for users who already have a reliable and stable mount and support system. To protect the OTA and accessories during transport and storage, Coronado includes a hard carrying case with a custom-cut foam lining. The case is color-matched to the OTA in their elegant black and gold color scheme.

With the Coronado SolarMax III telescope you can enjoy stunning views of our closest star, and by simply removing the exterior solar filters you can view the moon, planets, and deep-sky objects at night.

Optical Tube Assembly

Use for daytime solar observation, or as a conventional nighttime scope with the solar and blocking filters removed
90mm aperture improves contrast and solar details, and makes it ideal for lunar and planetary viewing, or to see bright deep-sky objects at night
Moderate f/8.8 focal ratio
Long 800mm focal length boosts magnification potential enabling higher powers to be used for more detailed views
Achromatic refractor-style lens configuration
Fully multi-coated optics improve light transmission, color rendition, contrast, and sharpness
7:1 dual speed rack-and-pinion focuser allows for fast coarse and precise fine focusing to achieve tack-sharp images
2" drawtube enables the use of larger eyepieces and accessories for full-disk viewing without vignetting

Solar Filter

Double-stacked 90mm aperture solar filter system reduces the bandpass for improved contrast and views
Fully external filters, etalons, and tuning systems allow filter to be completely removed
Tuned for viewing in the hydrogen-alpha wavelength, at 6562.8Å with a bandpass of less than 0.5Å
Reveals prominences in high contrast against the black backdrop of space
Observe surface granulation and texture with high contrast
Rear 1.25" 15mm diagonal secondary blocking filter improves contrast, and shows more space around the sun to allow for higher magnification eyepieces to be used while maintaining full solar disk viewing
Proprietary RichView tuning system on the primary etalon and the T-max tilt tuner on the secondary allow the etalons to be independently tuned for Doppler-shift compensation or to highlight specific zones without having the two tuned light paths interfere with each other

Mounting

Optical tube assembly only—mount and tripod required for proper use
Mounting ring assembly allows the relative position of the OTA to the mount to be adjusted for proper balance and to limit obstruction with mount, counterweights, or other gear
Vixen-style dovetail plate available for use with conventional telescope mounts
Weight: 22 pounds

Included Accessories

CEMAX Eyepieces:

1.25" diameter barrel
25mm yields a low power of 32x
18mm produces a medium magnification of 44x
High-power 12mm eyepiece produces 67x magnification
Fold-down rubber eyecup for use with or without eyewear
Designed specifically for use at H-alpha wavelengths to improve contrast and minimize glare

CEMAX Barlow Lens:

Specifically tuned to complement the eyepieces and rear blocking filter
Effectively doubles the magnification of any eyepiece used with it, without affecting eye relief, to make high-power viewing more comfortable
1.25" nosepiece and holder

Sol Ranger Viewfinder:

Solar finder enables safe aiming of the OTA at the sun

Carrying Case:

Protects OTA and accessories during transport and storage
Hard aluminum exterior with reinforced corners and edges
Dual snap-lock latches with hinged handle
Custom-cut interior foam lining
Iconic Coronado black and gold coloring matches the optical tube assembly and accessories
Dimensions: 26.5x8.7x8.7"

Specifications

Optical Tube Assembly
Optical Design	Achromatic Refractor
Aperture	90 mm / 3.5"
Focal Length	800 mm
Focal Ratio	f/8.8
Focuser	Dual-Speed Rack-and-Pinion
Eyepiece Barrel Diameter	1.25", 2"
Finderscope	Yes
Mounting System	Vixen Style

Filtration
Filtration Wavelength	Hydrogen-alpha
Bandpass	<0.5 Å
Blocking Filter	15 mm (External)

General
Batteries	None
GPS	None
Wi-Fi	None
Assembled Dimensions	31.2 x 7.0 x 6.2" / 79.2 x 17.8 x 15.7 cm
Weight	21.6 lb / 9.8 kg

In the Box
Coronado SolarMax III 90mm f/8.8 Double-Stacked H-alpha Solar Telescope (15mm Blocking, OTA Only)
25mm CEMAX Eyepiece
CEMAX 18mm H-Alpha Solar Eyepiece (1.25")
CEMAX 12mm H-Alpha Solar Eyepiece (1.25")
CEMAX 2x Barlow Lens (1.25")
Sol Ranger Solar Viewfinder
90° 15mm H-Alpha Blocking Filter (1.25")
1.25" Eyepiece Reducer Adapter
Cradle Ring Assembly with Dovetail
Hard Carrying Case
Limited 5-Year Warranty

Meade Series 5000 Mega Wide Angle Eyepieces (MWA) (Fully Multi-Coated, 100 Degree AFOV)

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Coronado SolarMax III 90mm f/8.8 Double-Stacked H-alpha Solar Telescope (15mm Blocking, OTA Only)

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