Astronomy tests Coronado’s SolarMax II Telescope

This compact Hydrogen-alpha scope will enhance your observing as solar maximum approaches.

By Mike Reynolds

Published: March 26, 2012

Coronado’s SolarMax II 60 Telescope is a Hydrogen-alpha telescope. Unlike a visible-light solar filter, which can show sunspots, the SolarMax II’s filter reveals prominences, flares, and the Sun’s chromosphere.

Photo by Astronomy: William Zuback

With solar maximum — the peak of activity in the Sun’s 11-year cycle — rapidly approaching, observers are spending more time viewing our daytime star. Any telescope with a properly filtered optical system will allow you to see the Sun in the relatively broad spectral range of visible light. However, for an exquisite view of our star, a dedicated narrowband filter lets you explore details such as active solar regions and prominences.

The primary narrowband filter amateur astronomers use for solar observing is the Hydrogen-alpha (Hα). It only transmits light with a wavelength of 656.28 nanometers — the Hα line. For this review, I tested an excellent solar telescope you should consider if you would like to observe in Hα: the SolarMax II 60 Telescope by Coronado, a subsidiary of Meade Instruments.

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TIMOTHY R SCHOCK from WASHINGTON said:

The artictle is a little terse but I enjoy the input of the author and the comments. An equatorial mounting or a GO TO scope mount is a must to use this solar telescope with the best viewing results.
Upon receipt I also immediately recconized the need for a more resilient case for the equipment but if treated with care it will store the scope for years with no damage.
The use of a cap or hood to block unwanted reflections is always a necessity when viewing the sun. Blocking out the reflected light points will add greatly to the scope's usefullness.

TED HAUTER from CALIFORNIA said:

Way too pricey and I've heard you cannot binoview without a barlow requiring a BF15/30 and more $. The article is flawed in several ways:

1. No photos are shown that were taken through the scope.
2. Prices are for single stacked units without the second filter.
3. Scope shown is double stacked - not the one being reviewed.
4. "Brass" housing is anodized aluminum. Brass is $ plus has heat issues.
5. Spectrum 60 upgrade of a PST produces a comparable view at half the cost.
6. Case to hold scope will not survive air travel and cannot be carried on.
7. Does not mention of 90mm scope option.
8. Does not mention use/explanation of new richview tuning.
9. No tips to viewers to compliment viewing experience - ex: wearing a hat or use go to mount only.
10. Double stack unit is .5A

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