Acuter Solarus-80 with SolarQuest - Solar Telescope

Designed for safe white-light observation of the Sun, the Acuter Solarus-80 combines an 80 mm objective with a permanently mounted glass solar filter.

This configuration allows observation of several solar phenomena, including sunspots, solar eclipses, solar surface details and transits of the inner planets across the Sun.

A rotating filter wheel is built into the telescope. Several colour filters are pre-installed, allowing the visual appearance of the Sun to be changed according to the observer's preference.

This version is supplied with the automatic Sky-Watcher SolarQuest mount. Its solar sensor, GPS and automated alignment system allow the Sun to be located and then tracked automatically on both axes with minimal user intervention.

The complete outfit is suitable for educational establishments, beginners and experienced observers.

80 mm Objective

The Solarus-80 uses an objective with:

• Diameter : 80 mm
• Coating : Multi-coated

Telescope focal length is:

• 400 mm

Focal ratio is:

• f/5

Permanently Mounted Glass Solar Filter

A white-light solar filter made from glass is permanently mounted on the telescope.

This design removes the need to install or remove the solar filter before each observing session.

White-Light Solar Observation

The Solarus-80 can be used to observe:

• Sunspots
• Solar eclipses
• Solar surface details
• Transits of the inner planets across the Sun

Rotating Filter Wheel

A rotating filter wheel is built directly into the telescope.

It is supplied pre-loaded with:

• Red
• Yellow
• Blue
• Green
• Orange
• Neutral density

One additional position is left empty for viewing without an additional colour filter.

An indicator shows which filter is currently in use.

5–16 mm Zoom Eyepiece

A fixed zoom eyepiece is supplied.

Available positions are:

• 5 mm
• 10 mm
• 16 mm

Corresponding magnifications are:

• 80x
• 40x
• 25x

Safe Solar Finder

A dedicated solar finder is supplied.

It allows the telescope to be positioned towards the Sun without looking directly through a conventional optical finder.

90° Diagonal

A 90° diagonal is supplied for comfortable observation.

The diagonal is non-rotatable.

Crayford Focuser

Focusing is provided by a Crayford focuser.

The focuser is non-rotatable.

Smartphone Adaptor Included

A universal smartphone adaptor is supplied.

It allows photographs of the Sun to be taken with a smartphone for recording observations.

The smartphone is not included.

45 mm Dovetail Bar

The optical tube features a side-mounted Vixen-type dovetail bar measuring:

• 45 mm

It also incorporates tripod threads:

• 1/4-20

Telescope Dimensions and Weight

Telescope length:

• 378 mm

Telescope weight:

• 1.75 kg

Automatic SolarQuest Mount

This outfit includes a Sky-Watcher SolarQuest mount specifically designed to locate and track the Sun automatically.

After roughly levelling the tripod and pointing the telescope anywhere to the left of the Sun, a single command starts the automatic procedure.

The mount uses GPS information and time data to calculate the altitude and azimuth of the Sun.

Four-Photodiode Solar Sensor

The solar alignment system uses:

• 4 photodiodes
• Built-in GPS
• Tilt sensor
• 3-axis accelerometer

Once the Sun is detected, the mount locks onto it and tracks it automatically.

Automatic Levelling

The built-in tilt sensor allows the mount to automatically level the telescope during the alignment procedure.

Automatic Drift Correction

Feedback from the solar sensor allows the mount to automatically correct tracking drift.

Automatic Pointing Correction

An automatic pointing offset correction function is also integrated.

Centring Control

An eight-way sliding switch allows manual adjustment of the Sun's position within the field of view.

Automatic Solar Tracking

The tracking system does not require conventional astronomical alignment.

Tracking operates on:

• Two axes

Pointing Accuracy

After user calibration, stated pointing accuracy is:

• Up to 3 arc-minutes

Mount Resolution

Stated resolution is:

• 2,073,600 counts per revolution
• 0.625 arc-second

Slewing Speeds

Two speeds are available:

• 16x
• 1200x

Motor Drive

The SolarQuest uses:

• DC servo motor
• Gear ratio 6480

4 kg Payload Capacity

Maximum mount payload is:

• 4 kg

45 mm Saddle

The mount uses a saddle compatible with:

• Sky-Watcher
• Vixen
• 45 mm dovetails

Adjustable Aluminium Tripod

The SolarQuest is supplied with an adjustable aluminium tripod.

An accessory tray is also included.

The tripod-to-mount connection uses a:

• 3/8-inch fitting

Adjustable Height

Mount and tripod height can be adjusted from:

• 80.5 cm
• 152 cm

Bubble Level

A bubble level is integrated to assist with initial tripod setup.

Mount Weight

Mount head weight:

• 1.3 kg

Total mount and tripod weight:

• 4.05 kg

Power

The SolarQuest can operate from:

• 8 AA batteries

It can also use:

• External 12 V DC power
• Centre-positive polarity

A 12 V external power adaptor interface is supplied.

Solar Compliance

The Solarus-80 meets the transmission requirements of:

• ISO 12312-2:2015

This standard applies to filters intended for direct observation of the Sun.

Solar Safety

The instrument must always be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

The permanently mounted glass solar filter forms an integral part of the Solarus-80 safety system.

Observing the Sun with unsuitable or modified equipment can cause serious and permanent eye damage.

Technical Specifications

• Telescope manufacturer : Acuter
• Model : Solarus-80
• Outfit product code : 10989-20320
• Type : White-light solar telescope with automatic tracking
• Objective diameter : 80 mm
• Optical coating : Multi-coated
• Focal length : 400 mm
• Focal ratio : f/5
• Solar filter : Permanently mounted glass
• Filter wheel : Built in
• Filters : Red, yellow, blue, green, orange and neutral density
• Empty filter position : Yes
• Filter indicator : Yes
• Eyepiece : 5–16 mm zoom
• Eyepiece positions : 5, 10 and 16 mm
• Magnifications : 80x, 40x and 25x
• Solar finder : Included
• Diagonal : 90° non-rotatable
• Focuser : Crayford non-rotatable
• Smartphone adaptor : Included
• Dovetail : 45 mm Vixen type
• Tripod threads : 1/4-20
• Telescope length : 378 mm
• Telescope weight : 1.75 kg
• Compliance : ISO 12312-2:2015
• Mount : Sky-Watcher SolarQuest
• Technology : Automatic solar alignment
• Solar sensor : 4 photodiodes
• GPS : Built in
• Tilt sensor : Built in
• Accelerometer : 3 axis
• Automatic levelling : Yes
• Drift correction : Automatic
• Pointing correction : Automatic
• Centring control : 8 way
• Tracking : Alignment-free solar
• Tracking mode : Dual axis
• Pointing accuracy : Up to 3 arc-minutes after calibration
• Resolution : 2,073,600 counts per revolution
• Angular resolution : 0.625 arc-second
• Slewing speeds : 16x and 1200x
• Motor : DC servo
• Gear ratio : 6480
• Payload capacity : 4 kg
• Saddle : 45 mm Sky-Watcher/Vixen
• Tripod fitting : 3/8 inch
• Tripod : Adjustable aluminium
• Accessory tray : Included
• Bubble level : Built in
• Height : 80.5 to 152 cm
• Mount head weight : 1.3 kg
• Mount and tripod weight : 4.05 kg
• Power : 8 AA batteries or external 12 V DC
• Polarity : Centre positive

Package Contents

• Acuter Solarus-80 telescope
• Permanently mounted glass solar filter
• 5–16 mm zoom eyepiece
• Solar finder
• Rotating filter wheel with filters
• 90° diagonal
• Universal smartphone adaptor
• Sky-Watcher SolarQuest mount
• Adjustable aluminium tripod
• Accessory tray
• 12 V external power adaptor interface

Not Included

• Smartphone
• 8 AA batteries
• External 12 V power supply