Meade / Coronado 40mm f/10 PST H-Alpha Personal Solar Telescope
Brand | Coronado |
Part Number | PST |
Availability | available |
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Product Info
Manufacturer Description
The PST is a Coronado innovation. This 'little' telescope is another step toward Coronado's goal of making it possible for everyone to "Experience the Sun our way." No wonder it is the world's most popular telescope to observe the Sun!
Sub angstrom H-alpha systems have long been cost prohibitive for the amateur. Designs other than the Coronado are difficult to use because of temperature and F-Ratio requirements. This 40mm diameter highly portable dedicated solar telescope features completely internal non-removable and student safe solar filtering optics with a 1.0 angstrom hydrogen-alpha (Ha) bandpass for great surface detail. Not only does the PST have a bandpass of <1.0 Angstrom but it is also thermally stable and requires no more time to operate than putting in a eyepiece and adjusting the focus.
Study of the solar disk is now within the reach of the amateur astronomer. The PST will show you the dynamic, ever changing prominences at the edge of the Sun as well as filaments and other surface details in amazing detail, all in the brilliant and distinctive red color of hydrogen-alpha light. The PST represents the same technology and quality that goes into a SolarMax series telescope but with a few unique design characteristics that allows Coronado to offer it for less than some premium eyepieces. At <1.0 Angstrom it will not reveal as much surface detail as the SolarMax series telescopes and filters but it certainly doesn't disappoint.
Features a 40mm diameter dedicated Ha optical system with 30mm internal etalon primary blocking filter and incorporated focuser and bandpass fine adjustment controls and built in solar viewfinder. 400mm focal length, f/10 focal ratio, with Kellner eyepiece. Tripod not included.
Mounting options include use on a standard photo tripod (scope is threaded for a standard camera 1/4-20 mounting bolt), use of a Coronado Malta table top tripod (sold separately) or the Meade DSM mount (sold separately) with computerized Autostar and GoTo technology. Open up a whole new world of astronomy with the Coronado PST.
Product carries full five year Meade factory limited warranty (valid within US/Canada only).
Specifications:
- Aperture: 40mm
- Focal Length: 400mm
- F/Ratio: F/10
- Bandwidth: <1.0
- Thermal Stability: 0.005 /°C
- Safety Blocking: >10-5 from EUV/IR
Reviews
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Jun 13, 2014
For the money, it's an excellent scope
Pros:Compact,Lightweight,Easy to Use
Cons:Small Exit Aperture
Comments:I have also tried the Lunt 35mm. The Coronado PST 40mm is better in my opinion. Best accessories to buy is the CNC focus knob, a generic 8-24mm zoom and a baseball cap to cut the glare of the sun.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
It is a great solar scope that can keep you happy for a lifetime but beware of the small exit aperture of the etalon which although presenting you with a great solar image, makes eye placement a bit sensitive.
I think this is currently the best offering, but this will probably change with the upcoming Lunt 50mm.
For the money, you can really enjoy prominences and filaments in an easily portable package. A basic tripod and mount head are all that is required as well as the recommendations made above re baseball cap, CNC machined knob (available here at Agena!) and also a basic 8-24mm zoom.This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Dec 26, 2011Great Value
Pros:Compact,Strong Construction,Easy to Use,Lightweight
Cons: Comments:Great little solar scope for solar viewing mounted easily on an old EQ5 mount also light enough to mount on a camera tripod. The solar finder is a great little addition.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
The supplied 20mm eyepiece was a tad disappointing had far better views with a 10mm plossl.This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Jan 6, 2011Excellent and affordable solar scope
Pros:Compact,Strong Construction,Quality Lenses
Cons: Comments:This telescope allows the average person access to quality Halfa solar observation. It can be used in a simple photographic tripod, as well as in an equatorial mount. I have been even using it for some solar photography. The images it gives are very detailed, you can see prominences, spots, plages, filaments, etc.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Nov 17, 2010Excellent telescope, afordable price
Pros:Compact,Strong Construction
Cons: Comments:This small but powerful telescope make solar observation affordable. The quality of the images given by it is excellent, you can see many different details in the Sun's surface, from sun spots to filaments and prominences. For me, the best size/definition retion is obtained with the 15mm eyepiece.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
The built in solar finder is really usefull to locate the sun. The packing is really nice too.
Also, it is not necessary to have a telescope mount to use it, just use a photographic tripod and you are ready to go.This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
AstroGuy1 New Member
- Skill Level
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- Time with Product
- Unknown
- User Notes:
- Review by zardoz66 of Illinois.
May 22, 2009The Coronado PST
Pros:Great views,Easy to use finder,Low cost
Cons: Comments:When you consider the price and then consider what you can see with this telescope, it is an amazing feat. With such a small and light weight package you can make out details on the sun itself, see prominences, sun spots and flares. It is so light that you can mount it on even the flimsiest of tripods with ease. As always, looking at the sun is dangerous and should be attempted with caution and deliberation.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Apr 28, 2008Coronado PST
Pros:Excellent, clear views; Light weight for easy, quick setup
Cons:None
Comments:I've always enjoyed viewing the sun in "white-light" and became interested in H-Alpha viewing when I had a chance to look through a PST a couple of years ago. Wow! The view, though small, was awesome!
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
I plunked down the $600 when a rebate was offered last December. This is a great little scope and its light weight allows quick setup anywhere. I use an 8-24mm zoom and, with a 400mm focal length, the 16x to 50x is perfect. Low power to get the full disk in the "sweet spot" and then zoom in for a more detailed study of the prominences, filaments, and surface details. In average-seeing conditions, I find that going over 50x will begin to degrade the image.
Be aware that users of the PST have found a few eyepieces and barlows that will not come to focus. So you may want to inquire before purchasing a specific barlow or eyepiece dedicated to the PST.
The PST tuning knob works well for adjusting the performance of the filter and the focusing knob also does a good job. I am really impressed with the "Sol Ranger" finder on the PST. A very SAFE, efficient means of lining up the scope with the sun.
If you're thinking of entering hydrogen-alpha viewing, the Coronado PST is an excellent way to start.Mar 16, 2008Coronado PST
Pros:<0.1 Angstrom; Thermally stable
Cons:Doesn't reveal as much surface detail as the SolarMax series telescopes, but it doesn't disappoint.
Comments:The Coronado PST is a fine little scope for the price. Solar viewing is not for everyone, and you have to train your eyes for observing some of the more subtle features with this small scope. But the view, once you get used to using this scope, is fabulous. Solar flares, solar filaments, and solar prominences are the order of the day when viewing with a Coronado PST.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesDec 30, 2007The Coronado PST
Pros:Great views, easy to use finder, low cost
Cons:None considering the price
Comments:When you consider the price and then consider what you can see with this telescope, it is an amazing feat. With such a small and light weight package you can make out details on the sun itself, see prominences, sun spots and flares. It is so light that you can mount it on even the flimsiest of tripods with ease. As always, looking at the sun is dangerous and should be attempted with caution and deliberation.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesSort bySpecifications
Telescope Aperture 1.57" (40mm) Manufacturer Coronado Telescope Aperture Up to 80mm Telescope Series Coronado PST