Lunt LS60MT

The transition is straightforward. You simply unscrew the solar module from the front of the telescope, which allows you to use the native 70mm ED doublet lens for standard night-time astronomy. It takes only a minute or two to swap configurations.

With the pressure-tuned etalon and a bandpass of less than 0.45Å, you will get high-contrast views of the sun's chromosphere. This allows you to clearly observe prominences, filaments, and active regions on the solar surface with significant detail.

Yes, it includes the essential components to get started: the telescope itself, a 16mm flat-field eyepiece, a SunLock red dot finder for solar alignment, and a sturdy aluminum hard case for transport. You will just need a compatible tripod or mount to set it up.

While 70mm is modest for deep-sky objects, the high-quality ED doublet lens provides excellent color correction and sharpness. It is well-suited for crisp, high-contrast views of the moon, bright planets like Jupiter and Saturn, and double stars.

Pressure tuning allows for a more precise adjustment of the etalon's center wavelength by changing the air pressure inside the chamber. This results in a more uniform image across the entire field of view compared to tilt-tuning systems.

The unit weighs approximately 7 pounds, making it quite portable for a telescope of this capability. Its compact form factor fits easily into the included hard case, so it is a great option if you plan to travel to dark-sky sites or solar eclipse events.