Acuter Elite Phoenix 40 H-alpha Solar Telescope

Designed for detailed H-alpha observation of the Sun, the Acuter Elite Phoenix 40 uses a 40 mm front-mounted etalon providing a bandwidth of less than 0.6 Å.

This narrow bandwidth reveals a variety of solar chromosphere phenomena, including prominences, flares, spicules, surface structures and sunspots.

Etalon adjustment is performed through pressure tuning to optimise H-alpha observation.

The telescope has a 400 mm focal length and operates at f/10 in its solar configuration. An 8 mm blocking filter is incorporated into the removable 90° solar diagonal.

A 5–16 mm 1.25-inch zoom eyepiece is supplied, providing magnifications from 25x to 80x.

The optical tube can also be used for conventional night-time astronomy. With the front etalon and solar diagonal removed, it operates as an 80/400 mm achromatic refractor.

A standard star diagonal and red-dot finder are supplied for this configuration.

40 mm Front-Mounted H-alpha Etalon

The solar system uses an etalon mounted at the front of the telescope.

Specifications are:

• Diameter : 40 mm
• Bandwidth : Less than 0.6 Å
• Tuning method : Pressure tuning

This configuration provides detailed H-alpha solar observation.

Solar Chromosphere Observation

The narrow bandwidth allows observation of a range of solar phenomena and structures:

• Prominences
• Solar flares
• Spicules
• Surface structures
• Sunspots
• Chromospheric activity

8 mm Blocking Filter

The safety system incorporates an 8 mm blocking filter installed inside the removable solar diagonal.

The exit opening is also:

• 8 mm

The solar diagonal is:

• 90°
• 1.25 inch
• Rotatable

The blocking filter and solar diagonal form part of the telescope's solar safety system.

Pressure Tuning

The H-alpha etalon uses a pressure-tuning system.

This allows the filter to be adjusted to optimise the visibility of solar detail.

400 mm Focal Length

Solar configuration focal length is:

• 400 mm

Focal ratio is:

• f/10

5–16 mm Zoom Eyepiece

A 1.25-inch zoom eyepiece is supplied.

Focal-length range:

• 5 to 16 mm

Magnifications with the supplied eyepiece range from:

• 25x
• 80x

Safe Solar Finder

A dedicated safe solar finder is provided for locating the Sun without looking directly through a conventional optical finder.

Night-Time Astronomical Use

The Elite Phoenix 40 can also operate as an 80/400 mm achromatic refractor for conventional astronomical observation.

For this use, the front etalon and solar diagonal must be removed.

A standard star diagonal and red-dot finder are supplied.

Before any subsequent solar observation, the etalon and solar diagonal must be correctly reinstalled.

Rotatable Crayford Focuser

Focusing is provided by a Crayford focuser.

The focuser can be rotated to assist with the orientation of observing and imaging accessories.

Solar Imaging Compatibility

The telescope can be used with CCD cameras fitted with a 1.25-inch adaptor.

Camera backfocus must be:

• 55 mm or less

Smartphone Adaptor Included

A universal smartphone adaptor is supplied.

It allows solar photographs to be taken with a smartphone for recording observations.

45 mm Dovetail Bar

The optical tube features a side-mounted:

• 45 mm dovetail bar

It also includes:

• 1/4-20 tripod threads

SolarQuest Mount Recommended

The Sky-Watcher SolarQuest automatic solar GoTo and tracking mount is listed as the recommended mounting system for the Elite Phoenix 40.

Compact Optical Tube

Optical tube length is:

• 412 mm

OTA weight is:

• 2 kg

Aluminium Carrying Case Included

An aluminium carrying case is supplied to protect the telescope and accessories during storage and transport.

Solar Compliance

The Elite Phoenix 40 meets the transmission requirements of:

• ISO 12312-2:2015

This standard concerns filters for direct observation of the Sun.

Solar Safety

Extreme caution is essential whenever observing the Sun.

The 8 mm blocking filter installed in the solar diagonal is an essential part of the Elite Phoenix 40 safety system.

For solar observing, the telescope must not be used with another type of diagonal.

After night-time astronomical use, the front etalon and solar diagonal must be correctly reinstalled before the telescope is pointed at the Sun again.

Incorrect use of solar equipment can result in serious and permanent eye damage.

Technical Specifications

• Manufacturer : Acuter
• Model : Elite Phoenix 40
• Manufacturer product code : 10988
• Type : H-alpha solar telescope
• Front etalon diameter : 40 mm
• H-alpha bandwidth : Less than 0.6 Å
• Tuning method : Pressure tuning
• Focal length : 400 mm
• Focal ratio : f/10
• Exit opening : 8 mm
• Blocking filter : 8 mm
• Solar diagonal : 90° rotatable
• Solar diagonal fitting : 1.25 inch
• Supplied eyepiece : 5–16 mm zoom
• Eyepiece fitting : 1.25 inch
• Magnification with supplied eyepiece : 25x to 80x
• Safe solar finder : Included
• Focuser : Rotatable Crayford
• Dovetail bar : 45 mm
• Tripod threads : 1/4-20
• CCD camera compatibility : 1.25-inch adaptor and maximum 55 mm backfocus
• Universal smartphone adaptor : Included
• Night-time astronomical configuration : 80/400 mm achromatic refractor after removal of solar system
• Standard star diagonal : Included
• Red-dot finder : Included
• OTA length : 412 mm
• OTA weight : 2 kg
• Carrying case : Aluminium
• Compliance : ISO 12312-2:2015

Package Contents

• Acuter Elite Phoenix 40 telescope
• 40 mm front-mounted H-alpha etalon
• 90° solar diagonal with 8 mm blocking filter
• 5–16 mm zoom eyepiece
• Safe solar finder
• Standard star diagonal
• Red-dot finder
• Universal smartphone adaptor
• Aluminium carrying case