Lunt Solar Systems * 2520 N. Coyote Dr. #111 Tucson, AZ 85745 * 520-344-7348
www.luntsolarsystems.com
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The LS80T can be transported by careful hand carrying in the case with these items
attached. However, we strongly recommend that these items be removed for
transportation via commercial carrier.
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During shipping the tension screw on the feather touch may become loose. Simply
tighten the screw as required or refer to the Starlight Instrument instructions that are
provided.
Okay let's get started...
Safety First!
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Always check any telescope or filter before use. Do not use any telescope or filter
that appears to be damaged. Verify that all glass and filters are in place. Contact
Lunt Solar with any questions before use!
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The Blocking Filter diagonal must ALWAYS be used with the Lunt Telescope or
Filter. Lunt Filters and Blocking Filters are NOT interchangeable with products
from other vendors.
So you have your LS80THa setup on a tripod or mount. Let's take a look!
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Place a ~25mm eyepiece in the focus end so you have the largest field of view to look at.
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Pull the diagonal slide tube out about 50mm.
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Put the focus tube at about 50% of travel.
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Pre-align the Sol Searcher.
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If you do not have a Sol Searcher you can use the shadow cast by the Sun on the front
objective cell against the clamshell. Center one on the other and you should be close.
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Look thru the eyepiece. You should see a fuzzy red ball? If not, make sure you have
removed the dust cap from the front. Try to re-align the shadows or the Sol Searcher
and look again. After some trial and error the Sun should appear in the eyepiece. Once
the Sun is centered now is a good time to do a final adjustment to that Sol Searcher.
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Focus:
I am amazed how many people walk up to a solar telescope and take a quick
look thru without ever focusing. Course focus is achieved by moving the diagonal
drawtube in and out. Medium focus is achieved using the larger knobs on either side of
the focuser assembly. Fine focus is achieved with the 10:1 reduction (smaller Gold
knob). The fine focus is often too fine for visual use, but comes in very handy if you are
imaging. Focus so that the edge of the Sun is as sharp as possible.
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Tuning: On the side of the scope is a large black cylinder. This cylinder is the
tuning system for the LS80T. We will explain how it works later, but for now we
will simply describe how to bring 656.28nm wavelength on band. The black handle
of the cylinder system has a 4 start thread attaching it to the brass cylinder body.
Unscrew the black handle completely. There may be some resistance and a faint
pop as the air enters the cylinder. This is normal. This has reset the system for
your altitude. Carefully re-thread the handle onto the body and engage the threads
about one turn. While looking thru the eyepiece gently turn the black handle onto
the cylinder body. There will be little resistance at first, but as the pressure in the
cylinder builds the resistance will increase slightly. As you turn the cylinder you
should see features come into view thru the eyepiece. Continued turning will
result in the wavelength shifting thru 656.28nm and detail will begin to disappear.
Fine-tune the cylinder for the best performance.
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A few details regarding the pressure tune system. The amount of pressure being supplied
to the etalon cavity is minimal. It is the equivalent of going from -500ft below sea level to
about 10,000ft. Or a few PSI. There is NO risk of explosion. We are dealing with only a
fraction of 1 atmosphere. When not in use we recommend that you release the pressure
by simply backing off the black handle from the cylinder body. If the system unthreads
completely, simply thread it back on 1 turn. It is not necessary to re-set the system every
