The Lunt LS152THa is a 6-inch hydrogen-alpha (h-alpha) telescope, which is huge by h-alpha standards.The telescope is designed for safe solar observing and reveals one of the Sun’s inner layers, called the chromosphere.The LS152THa is extremely well-engineered and solidly built.It’s brilliant at showing you fine detail in and above the chromosphere, while also revealing bright and structurally detailed prominences.While testing the telescope, we were able to observe some active sunspot<\/a> regions and found the zoom eyepiece allowed us to get a close look at the action.We saw plenty of surface detail and very good resolution.We were also able to easily observe a layer of hydrogen plasma jets, called spicules, at the edge of the Sun.The Lunt LS152THa is a fantastic telescope that effectively gives you a solar observatory in your back garden.<\/div><\/div>

Key specs<\/strong><\/h4>
Focal length:<\/strong> 900mm; f\/6<\/li>
Aperture:<\/strong> 152mm (6 inches)<\/li>
Bandpass:<\/strong> <0.065nm at 656.28nm (h-alpha); 0.24nm at 393.4nm (calcium-K)<\/li>
Etalon:<\/strong> Unobstructed 60mm h-alpha; matching B1800 blocking filter supplied\u00a0<\/li>
Finder:<\/strong> Tele Vue Sol-Searcher\u00a0<\/li>
Focuser:<\/strong> Starlight Instruments Feather Touch<\/li>
Weight:<\/strong> 13.3kg<\/li><\/ul>Read our full Lunt LS152THa solar telescope review<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>
Daystar Solar Scout SS60-ds H-alpha telescope<\/strong><\/h3>Buy now<\/strong> from First Light Optics<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
$\"Daystar$ <\/figure>

The 60mm Solar Scout SS60-ds is Daystar’s dedicated solar telescope aimed at solar astronomy beginners.There are two versions: a basic model and the bundle option, the latter being the version we reviewed.The bundle includes a 1.25-inch diagonal, a 25mm eyepiece, a power pack and a mains charger to power the telescope and charge the powerpack.The SS60-ds boasts an internal Ha filter giving a bandpass of around 0.5\u00c5.There are positives and negatives to this.There is less detail in prominences with the bandpass of 0.5\u00c5, but more detail in filaments and surface structures.Setting up is very easy. After mounting, you just plug in the power pack and set the tuning knob to the centre.Once heated, it was \u2018on band\u2019 and the LED turned from red to green, ready to use.We could easily locate the Sun in the solar finder with Daystar\u2019s \u2018Solar Bullet\u2019 finder.The Daystar SS60-ds has much offer anyone considering an upgrade from their white light solar setup and it should meet the budget of many astronomers.<\/div><\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h4>
Objective<\/strong> 60mm achromatic doublet<\/li>
Effective focal length<\/strong> 930mm<\/li>
Wavelength<\/strong> 656.28nm<\/li>
Power req<\/strong> 5v 1.5amp<\/li>
Mounting<\/strong> Vixen-style mounting foot<\/li>
Included<\/strong> 25mm Pl\u00f6ssl eyepiece, 1.25-inch diagonal, 8-hour battery pack, USB power cable<\/li>
Weight<\/strong> 1.33kg<\/li><\/ul>
Read our full Daystar Solar Scout SS60-ds H-alpha telescope review<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>
Coronado Personal Solar Telescope<\/strong><\/h3>Buy now from Rother Valley Optics<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
$\"coronado$ <\/figure>

The Coronado Personal Solar Telescope has a quoted bandpass of less than 1 Angstrom (\u00c5), which makes it great for revealing prominences and surface detail.During testing, the PST delivered a very acceptable view.We found prominences appeared bright, detailed and with good contrast against the background sky.There was amazing detail on the edge of the Sun and a distinctly fur-like appearance.This was the presence of spicules, short-lived plumes of glowing hydrogen gas.The PST also revealed well-defined active regions and filaments with buckets of intricate detail.We also found excellent results during imaging.This budget H-alpha solar observing classic continues to deliver low-, medium- and high-magnification views of the Sun.It’s a great grab-and-go solar scope, too.<\/div><\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h4>
Focal length:<\/strong> 400mm\u00a0<\/li>
Aperture:<\/strong> 40mm<\/li>
Etalon:<\/strong> <1\u00c5; 20mm unobstructed\u00a0<\/li>
Finder:<\/strong> Built-in Sol Ranger<\/li>
Eyepieces:<\/strong> K20 (20x); 1.25-inch fit<\/li>
Weight:<\/strong> 1.4kg\u00a0<\/li><\/ul>
Read our full Coronado Personal Solar Telescope review<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>
Bresser Solarix Telescope 76\/350 with Solar Filter<\/strong><\/h3>Buy now<\/strong> from PicStop<\/a>, Wex<\/a> and Amazon<\/a><\/p>
$\"Bresser$ <\/figure>

It should be pointed out from the offset that the Bresser Solarix 76\/350 telescope is not a dedicated solar observing telescope, but comes with a solar filter that makes solar observing possible.It is an interesting, multi-purpose offering that’s really only suitable for beginners or those after a budget telescope.Solar observing is just one facet of the Bresser Solarix 76\/350, and it’s aimed at beginners who want to try out some of the different aspects of astronomy with just one piece of equipment.It’s comprised of a 3-inch (76mm) Newtonian reflector atop an aluminium tripod with a manual push-to mount.The telescope includes a decent collection of accessories including 20mm and 4mm eyepieces, a 2x Barlow lens<\/a>, a smartphone adapter<\/a> and, importantly here, a certified solar filter.Setting up is quick and easy and converting the Bresser Solarix 76\/350 telescope to solar use is simple.You just need to attach the front-mounted solar filter.The solar-use instruction manual and the many safety stickers on the Solarix do a good job of informing the user how to safely observe the Sun.It won’t give you amazing views of the Sun like other solar scopes on our list, but is suitable for beginners or kids who want to take their first seps into the world of astronomy, solar or otherwise.<\/div><\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h4>
Optics:<\/strong> 76mm (3 inches)\u00a0<\/li>
Focal Length:<\/strong> 350mm (f\/4.6)<\/li>
Extras:<\/strong> 4mm and 20mm eyepieces, 2x Barlow lens, solar filter, smartphone photo adaptor, accessory tray<\/li>
Weight:<\/strong> 2.5kg<\/li><\/ul>Read our full Bresser Solarix Telescope 76\/350 with Solar Filter review<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>
Coronado Double-Stacked PST<\/strong><\/h3>
$\"coronado$
coronado double stacked pst solar telescope<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The Double-Stacked Personal Solar Telescope may look similar to the PST, but it has a second etalon screwed into the front lens cell.This arrangement further reduces the telescope\u2019s bandpass to 0.5\u00c5, increasing the definition of surface features such as dark filaments and bright plage areas.One downside to this reduction in bandpass is a reduced visibility of prominences.Indeed, during our tests we did notice a slight dimming, but bright prominences were still impressive.The visual performance of the DS PST was definitely something to shout about.This is a superb scope, ideal for increasing the visibility of subtle features that wider bandpass instruments may struggle with.<\/div><\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h4>
Aperture<\/strong>: 40mm<\/li>
Focal length<\/strong>: 400mm<\/li>
Eyepieces<\/strong>: K20 (20x); 1.25-inch fit<\/li>
Weight<\/strong>: 1.7kg<\/li><\/ul>
Read our full Coronado Double-Stacked PST review<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>
Lunt LS35 Basic solar telescope<\/strong><\/h3>Buy now<\/strong> from AstroShop<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
$\"lunt$ <\/figure>

With a 35mm aperture, the Lunt LS35 Basic solar telescope is among the smallest solar scopes we’ve used.The LS35 Basic uses a full aperture, unobstructed etalon with a bandpass of <0.75\u00c5.There are two versions of the LS35: Basic or Deluxe. We tested the Basic version.It uses a B400 (4mm) blocking filter at the base of the helical focuser, which enables the whole solar disc to be seen in one view.During testing, we found the LS35 performed very well and gave us a bright, high-contrast image of the Sun.Solar prominences looked beautiful and the thin chromospheric layer at the edge of the solar disc appeared furry due to spicules.In fact, the Lunt LS35 Basic solar telescope\u2019s delivery of edge detail was among the best we’ve seen in solar telescopes.<\/div><\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h4>
Focal length:<\/strong> 400mm<\/li>
Aperture:<\/strong> 35mm<\/li>
Etalon:<\/strong> <0.75\u00c5; 35mm unobstructed\u00a0<\/li>
Finder:<\/strong> None\u00a0<\/li>
Eyepieces:<\/strong> None<\/li>
Weight:<\/strong> 1.4kg without holder \u00a0<\/li><\/ul>
Read our full Lunt LS35 Basic solar telescope review<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>
Coronado SolarMax 40<\/strong><\/h3>Buy now<\/strong> from Orion Telescopes<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
$\"\"$ <\/figure>

The Coronado SolarMax 40 has focal length of 400mm and a 40mm aperture.Its etalon is front-mounted, full aperture and obstructed with an internal spacer.The SolarMax 40\u2019s bandpass is quoted at 0.7\u00c5 and we found its view of the Sun to be much better defined that cheaper solar telescopes we’ve used.Tuning is done via a T-Max tuner, which sits between the etalon and tube and enables well-defined views.You can also use it to alter the scope to follow material speeding away from the Sun.The view through the eyepiece revealed excellent detail on the Sun\u2019s disc and contrast within prominences.The chromosphere too was especially well defined.In summary, this solar scope delivered a great overall low-power view of the Sun.The Sun looked like a 3D ball of turbulent plasma, and the solar limb was full of contrast and detail.<\/div><\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h4>
Aperture<\/strong>: 40mm<\/li>
Focal<\/strong> Length<\/strong>: 400mm<\/li>
Eyepieces<\/strong>: 25mm Coronado Cemax, 1.25-inch fit<\/li>
Finderscope<\/strong>: Sol Ranger<\/li>
Weight<\/strong>: 4kg<\/li><\/ul>
Read our full Coronado SolarMax 40 review<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>
How we test the best solar telescopes<\/strong><\/h2>
When we test each solar telescope, we examine the following features.<\/p>
Accessories<\/h3>
$\"solar$ <\/figure>
There aren\u2019t many peripheral bits and bobs needed with solar scopes, but a good finderscope and mounting plate are among those that we consider essential. We tried out those supplied and found out how good they were.<\/p>
Construction<\/strong><\/h3>
$\"solar$ <\/figure>
Looking fantastic, as all these scopes do, is no substitute for good design and this is something that can only be assessed when they\u2019re being used. We wanted to know whether the design would help or hinder when put to use.<\/p>
Field of view<\/strong><\/h3>
$\"solar$ <\/figure>
A common issue with many solar scopes is the sweet-spot effect whereby features pop in and out of visibility depending on where they are in the field of view. We evaluated the uniformity of each scope\u2019s field, keeping an eye on feature contrast.<\/p>
Focusing<\/strong><\/h3> $\"solar$ <\/figure>
We looked through each scope to evaluate how easy it was to find the Sun, achieve focus and tune the etalon to give us the best view possible. We also assessed how comfortable the view was after long observing sessions.<\/p>
Imaging<\/strong><\/h3>
$\"The$ <\/figure>
We hooked a high frame-rate planetary camera up to each scope to find out just how image-friendly they were. We also took a number of shots of the same objects through each scope and compared the processed results.<\/p>
For more reviews, read our pick of the best telescopes for beginners<\/a>, the best telescopes for astrophotography<\/a> and the best telescopes for kids<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
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