Designed with a single external 90mm solar etalon filter, the Coronado SolarMax III 90mm f/8.8 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 etalon 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.
Specifically calibrated to isolate the
hydrogen-alpha wavelength with a less than 0.7Å bandpass for observing
prominences in high contrast against the black backdrop of space, the
primary etalon comes equipped with Coronado's patented RichView tuning
system to improve contrast and enhance views when atmospheric
interference or Doppler-shift require you to bring the etalon back on
band. Directly adjusting the etalon enables it to be tuned up or down
from the 6562.8Å H-alpha wavelength to reveal prominence details and
compensate for various factors that can pull the prominences and other
features off band and affect 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° 30mm blocking filter to provide a wide field
of view and allows for full-disk viewing even with higher magnification
eyepieces, or when photographing the sun, to completely cover larger
imaging sensors and to avoid vignetting. 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.
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