Unlike many white-light solar filters that produce views of the sun with a red-orange, bluish, or yellow tint, the Alpine Astronomical 80mm ASTF Baader AstroSolar 5.0 White-Light Solar Filter reveals the sun in its natural white color. With an optical density of 5.0 for safe solar viewing though an optic like a telescope or spotting scope, the filter shows more surface details with greater clarity versus other types of solar filters. The filter is mounted onto a clear-white IR-rejecting plastic ring, which acts as a stabilizing element for the filter cell, and the ring is in turn mounted onto the aluminum front frame. The thermal expansion coefficient of the plastic and the film are similar to minimize thermal stress on the film for increased resistance to developing pinholes or tears.
With the ability to be installed on the outside or inside of an optical tube assembly, dew shield, or corrector plate retaining ring, this filter provides a safe way to view the sun through conventional nighttime telescopes. Recommended for apertures from 70-90mm, the filter is engineered with three centering bolts that can fit OTAs, dew shields or corrector plates with an outside diameter of 100-140mm, or an inside diameter of 130-170mm. Due to the shallow depth of the corrector plate on most catadioptric OTAs, for secure and safe use, Alpine Astronomical only recommends outside mounting on Cassegrain-style telescopes.
- For the correct fit, measure the outside or inside diameter of the dew shield/lens housing - including hardware like retaining rings and screw heads - and choose the size that matches the measurement with some extra room
- When used on Schmidt-Cassegrain, Maksutov-Cassegrain, or other catadioptric OTAs, outside mounting is required as the limited depth of the front inside diameter prevents full and secure engagement of the centering bolts
- Recommended for 70-90mm apertures
- 130-170mm inside diameters
- 100-140mm outside diameter