155mm f/34 Solar H-Alpha Folded Refractor

155mm f/34 H-Alpha Folded Refractor

Ultra-Rare * Observatory-Class * Proven Award Winning System

This is one of the very few instruments in existence capable of producing truly high-resolution solar animations at scale—and its performance is fully documented.

Overview

Offered is a 155mm f/34 folded solar H-alpha refractor, a purpose-built, custom instrument designed for maximum-resolution solar imaging.

• Designed and Crafted by Detlef W. Schmidt, (Founder Starlight Instruments and developer of the Feather Touch focuser)
• Optics by Roger Ceragioli, (Professional Optician, and author of Telescopes, Eyepieces and Astrographs)
• Folded optical architecture delivering extreme focal length in a compact, rigid structure

Performance

The value of this instrument is demonstrated in use.

It has produced multiple award-winning solar animations on AstroBin, demonstrating:

• Fine chromospheric fibril structure
• Dynamic filament evolution at high spatial resolution
• Stable, repeatable detail across time sequences
• Consistent contrast indicative of true optical performance

Representative animations and images from this scope can seen on the Astrobin sites for Eric Coles (Coles44) and Detlef Schmidt (DWS 23).
More information on the animations available on request.

What Sets It Apart

• 155mm aperture at f/34 (5270mm focal length)
• Designed specifically for high-resolution H-alpha imaging
• Capable of producing coherent, high-detail solar animations—not just still frames
• Imaging scale and resolution are typically seeing-limited rather than instrument-limited

High-end commercial systems provide a useful reference point—but this instrument was built to operate beyond that class in both image scale and structural resolution.

Configuration

Complete optical system including:

• Front Energy Rejection Filter (ERF)
• 155mm primary objective doublet
• Precision optical flats for folded light path
• Integrated telecentric system
• Solar Spectrum RG18 (0.3Å) H-alpha filter
• FeatherTouch focuser with Optec motorized focus
• Camera not included (imager’s choice)

Rarity

Only a very small number of these folded refractors were ever built. Opportunities to acquire one are exceptionally rare.

Location & Logistics

• Located at Sierra Remote Observatories (SRO)
• Removed from mount and ready for transfer
• Buyer to coordinate packing and shipping (assistance available if needed)

Summary

This is a serious, observatory-class solar instrument intended for an experienced imager or institution seeking performance that is simply not available off the shelf.

Serious bids only. Instruments of this caliber rarely become available—and even more rarely with a documented record of this level of performance.