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Meade / Coronado 40mm f/10 PST H-Alpha Personal Solar Telescope

4.5 (8 Reviews) Read Reviews Write Review
Brand Coronado
Part Number PST
Availability available

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

4.5 (Based on 8 Reviews) 100% of reviewers recommended this product.
Rating Distribution
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    1. Guest

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      User Notes:
      Review by Nick of Cyprus.
      1402704000
      Jun 13, 2014

      4.0 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.

      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.

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

    2. Guest

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      User Notes:
      Review by aprid of Victoria Australia.
      1324944000
      Dec 26, 2011

      4.0 Great 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.
      The supplied 20mm eyepiece was a tad disappointing had far better views with a 10mm plossl.

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

    3. Guest

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      User Notes:
      Review by Jeudy Blanco of Cartago, Costa Rica.
      1294358400
      Jan 6, 2011

      4.0 Excellent 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? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

    4. Guest

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      User Notes:
      Review by Jeudy Blanco of Cartago, Costa Rica.
      1290038400
      Nov 17, 2010

      5.0 Excellent 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.

      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.

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

    5. AstroGuy1

      AstroGuy1 New Member

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      User Notes:
      Review by zardoz66 of Illinois.
      1243036800
      May 22, 2009

      5.0 The 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? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

    6. Stargazer

      Stargazer New Member

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      User Notes:
      1209370440
      Apr 28, 2008

      5.0 Coronado 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!

      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.

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No
    7. kevinbozard

      kevinbozard New Member

      Skill Level
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      User Notes:
      1205669100
      Mar 16, 2008

      4.0 Coronado 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? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No
    8. zardoz66

      zardoz66 New Member

      Skill Level
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      Time with Product
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      User Notes:
      1199022420
      Dec 30, 2007

      5.0 The 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? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No
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      Specifications

      Telescope Aperture 1.57" (40mm)
      Manufacturer Coronado
      Telescope Aperture Up to 80mm
      Telescope Series Coronado PST