Log Astronomy: Did the total eclipse give you solar fever?

Save hundreds on select solar photography starter packages through April 15!

Telescopes

Binoculars

Microscopes

The eclipse is over, but you can still have fun with the Sun!

$The Sun captured by the FirstLight 80mm Refractor$

This image of the Sun was captured using the FirstLight 80mm CF Telescope Solar Photography starter package.

Although the epic spectacle of the total solar eclipse is behind us, the Sun is still a beauty to behold every day!

If you are looking for an easy entry into the hobby of solar photography, Explore Scientific has put together three solar imaging starter packages built around 80mm refractors from our FirstLight, Essential and FCD100 series. Each package includes an iEXOS-100-2 PMC-Eight mount that makes tracking the Sun effortless as well as a solar filter and other relevant accessories.

Through Monday (April 15th), these starter rigs are on sale for hundreds of dollars off, making it the perfect time to invest in the awe-inspiring hobby of solar photography!

CLICK TO SHOP SOLAR PHOTOGRAPHY STARTER PACKAGES

FirstLight 80mm CF Telescope with iEXOS-100-2 Mount & Solar Filter

$369.95

$699.99

SHOP NOW

FirstLight 80mm CF Telescope with iEXOS-100-2 Mount & Solar Filter

$369.95

$699.99

SHOP NOW

Essential Series ED80 Air-Spaced Triplet with iEXOS-100-2 PMC-Eight Mount, Field Flattener, Counterweights & Solar Filter

$999.95

$1809.06

SHOP NOW

$ED80-FCD100 Series Air-Spaced Triplet Refractor Telescope with iEXOS-100-2 PMC-Eight Equatorial Tracker System with WiFi and Bluetooth, 2 Extra Counterweights, Field Flattener, Solar Filter$

FCD100 Series ED80 Air-Spaced Triplet with iEXOS-100-2 PMC-Eight Mount, Field Flattener, Counterweights & Solar Filter

$1449.95

$2409.96

SHOP NOW

Although these packages were designed with solar photography in mind, each easily can do double-duty as an astrophotography rig as well! When night falls, simply slip off the solar filter and start imaging!

Astrophotographer Dawn Lowry captured this stunning image of the Rosette Nebula using an ED80 FCD100 refractor.

Looking for more solar deals?

Save up to 40% on all Thousand Oaks solar filters

View sunspots and granulation of the surface of the Sun, while protecting both your telescope optics and your eyes with Thousand Oaks full spectrum (white light) solar filters.

The Sun will appear yellow-orange through a Thousand Oaks filter, standing out sharply against a black sky. The filter can be used for both visual and photographic observation, using a camera ISO setting of 100 or higher.

Each filter is mounted in a polished friction-fit aluminum cell with a lip that slips over the objective end of the telescope. This prevents the Sun's heat from building up inside the telescope and possibly damaging the components inside. The filter cell is held snugly in place by 1/32thick felt strips glued to the inside of the cell lip.

For more information on selecting the proper size for your telescope, click here.

CLICK TO SHOP THOUSAND OAKS SLIP-ON SOLAR FILTERS

5.187 - 4.937 in

(131.8 - 125.4 mm)

$49.99

$67.00

5.687 - 5.4375 in

(144.5 - 138.1 mm)

$49.99

$77.00

6.1875 - 5.9375 in

(157.2 - 150.8 mm)