The 3 Filters used in Solar Observing and Imaging

There's a lot of unique features that we can see on the Sun, and they change every day due to its dynamic activity. The way we observe and image these features safely is by using specialized solar filters. In this video, I discuss three filters that are used, as well as the different features that are seen in each filter.

Music Credits:

"The Mood", "Summer Night", "Stuff" by Vanilla

[nikivan]

A spectroheliograph is another option for imaging the sun. It can capture all of the mentioned wavelengths.

[LeetTuber]

This is an awesome video, thank you. Too late for me to get anything for this year's eclipse but I'll get some filters next year.

[tomveldman]

Oh thank you so much for this video. Haven’t shot anything solar related in years, so excited to finally afford the equipment I need to shoot the eclipse in style next month.

[richardvanasse]

My favorite filter is the white light filter. Because it's the only one I have. Lol. Great video.

[anthonylaporta]

as usual you taught me something new..awesome....

[davidducharme]

Another fascinating video. I am all ready to go with my white light film filter on an 8" SCT. practiced a bit and feel comfortable and safe with the setup. Unfortunately, the one thing that I forgot to practice is weather control. A day-long soak expected in the Detroit area tomorrow. :(

[guillandanthony]

Best video on the topic! Thanks a lot for that!

[Astro_Ape]

First time watch the channel, made sure to subscribe. Excellent video!

I've been WL observing for quite a while using a 2" Lunt Herschel wedge with 70, 102, & 125mm refractors (AT70ED, AT102EDL, & AT125EDL) and have just got my first H-alpha scope (LS50THa) that I plan to dip my toes into Hα spectrum and learn with.

I thought about getting my start in H-alpha with a PST or LS40, but I didn't want a beginner instrument that I'd want to upgrade fairly quickly. I decided to get the LS50 since it was a pressure tuned system that I can upgrade to a FT focuser & double stack later down the road. This should make a great starter scope that has some room to grow as I advance in the "Light Side" of our hobby.

As we're all aware of, hydrogen alpha isn’t cheap(!!) and although I'd love to have started with an 80 or 100mm DS unit, I just couldn't swing it. Even the LS60 was twice the cost (plus I'm not a big fan of Lunt's current MT series). Hopefully this little 2" pressure tuned scope should be enough to learn & grow with...

[jdiezastronomy]

Great explanation of the sun surface and filters! Thanks!

[MyBackyardBirding]

Very informative and well done - for my DSLR and zoom lens I think I'll then stick with the ND filter which I guess is white light. Thanks!

[lovet]

It's a great video, very educational. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[ronjenkins]

Great video. This information is 95% new to me as I am not a solar photographer. I am thinking of imaging the upcoming total eclipse however.

Your explanation and delivery were remarkably clear and systematic. I feel I understand the different types of filters, the frequencies of light involved, and what solar features each enhances the viewing of. I do wonder how it is that the makers of filters can create filters directed to specific light frequencies.

[urmymusemusic]

Very helpful clear and informative description. Cheers !

[DR-fyqy]

Thanks for this instructional video. Is it possible to use an H-Alpha filter on a standard mirrorless camera to capture similar details and color of the Sun's surface as shown in the 10-minute time stamp of this video?

[bruceking]

I really enjoyed your video. Great information

[VHVDRAGON]

Love ur sounds like elmer fudd saying a name... just funnin. Live ur video.

[dereksanders]

Best explanation about Sun observation that i ever seen, many thanks for that :)
Just one curiosity, is there any way to with a non solar telescope, to also see via h alpha? Maybe using some sort of filter in the front of telescope aparture or in the eyepiece? (i have a reflector one).. im asking cause did not find anything selling on internet about this :)

Very good video, I liked the explanations

[janwouterdeheer]

Excellent and verry informative video related to different layers of the sun. Can you give more background or references related to Herschel prisms in combination with other filters like continuum filers or polarizing filters - thanks in advance !

[zborkz]

The 174mm is often paired with quarks due to the 4.2x built in barlow, this cameras sensor size works well in over f30. Making it a good match for the quark, due to its larger sized pixels. A chip with smaller pixel size will perform better in white light filters in most cases. IE a full disk image at a wider focal length.