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Baader ASTF 160 AstroSolar ClearWhite Telescope Solar Filter - 160 mm

SKU: BAD-ASTF-160CW
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Baader ASTF 160 AstroSolar ClearWhite Telescope Solar Filter - 160 mm The Baader ASTF 160 Solar Filter tipped on its side facing forward and to the right
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$182.00
 
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To ensure that the solar filter you buy will fit properly, please take a few moments and measure the outside diameter of your telescope, spotting scope or binoculars before you order. Remember, the solar filter needs to fit snugly around the front of the tube assembly that holds the optics. If the filter is slightly larger than its diameter, the filter can be made to fit by the addition of self-stick felt spacers to the inside of the cell. However, if the filter is too small it will not fit, and that would be a shame. So please, measure before you order. Thanks.

Baader ASTF 160 AstroSolar ClearWhite Telescope Solar Filter - 160 mm

The Baader ASTF 160 AstroSolar ClearWhite Telescope Solar Filter is made in the most elaborate way. AstroSolar must not be put under stress, neither during mounting the film, nor during any temperature change. For this reason the ASTF-Filter features a temperature compensated cell. The film itself is repeatably cemented onto an injection molded ring, whereas the substrate of that ring has the same thermal expansion like the Astro Solar Filter material itself. This free floating film-carrier ring is held onto the aluminum frame with the help of another holding ring made of fiber reinforced plastic – for a maximum of security against breaking of the cell. This temperature compensated cell enables the AstroSolar filter material to retain its excellent optical quality at any temperature – be it -22°F or 122°F.

Baader's mounted filter line is professionally inspected to ensure your filter provides a pleasant, safe experience. This filter attaches to your telescope with an adjustable three-bolt system, providing a variable fit. Two sets of bolts are included for an extensive fitment range. These bolts can secure the filter to the exterior or interior of your optics, with the 10 mm x 38 mm bolts offering an interior/ external range of 8.3"-9.5"/ 7.5"-8.7" and the 20 mm x 38 mm bolts a range of 8.7"-9.9"/ 7.1"-8.3" (see Product Attachments for more information on if this range is right for your optic). The adjustment slots are marked, making it easy to evenly adjust the clamping bolts. For added safety, this filter includes a set of three safety straps with adhesive mounting pads.

About Baader AstroSolar ClearWhite Film

The AstroSolar ClearWhite Safety Film OD 5.1 is a high-quality, double-sided metallized solar filter film designed for direct solar observation as well as for constructing front-mounted objective filters for telescopes, binoculars, spotting scopes, and camera lenses. It was developed to provide a particularly neutral, clear white solar image. Undesirable bluish or orange color casts, which may occur with simpler solar filters, are largely avoided

The film has an optical density of OD 5.1 and reduces the intensity of sunlight by approximately 99.9992%, corresponding to a reduction factor of about 125,000. It complies with the applicable transmittance requirements of EN ISO 12312-2:2015 for filters intended for direct observation of the sun.

The film is manufactured from a special streak-free and bubble-free substrate and achieves an optical quality comparable to high-quality plane-parallel glass filters despite a thickness of only 0.012 mm. The material is not ordinary “Mylar” and was developed for exceptionally high uniformity and optical purity.

The double-sided coating ensures especially uniform filter performance and reduces the effect of isolated microscopic irregularities in the metallization. A single layer of AstroSolar ClearWhite Safety Film OD 5.1 is sufficient to produce a safe solar filter with excellent image sharpness.

About Baader AstroSolar ClearWhite Mounted Filters

Baader Solar Filters provide a safe way to observe and photograph the Sun with AstroSolar ClearWhite Safety Film OD 5.1 in the best possible quality. In many homemade filters, the filter material is stretched tightly to make it look like a glass filter. However, this reduces the image quality and makes the filter unusable for higher magnifications. AstroSolar Safety Film must be mounted absolutely tension-free in order to act like a high-precision plane-polished optical window. Although this appears to contradict the usual perception of quality, AstroSolar must show slight waves. Only when the filter material is exposed to tension due to an inadequate holder does it perform no better than a simple glass filter made of optically untreated window glass.

Specifications

  • Filter Size: 160 mm
  • Internal Mounting Clamping Range (10 mm Bolts): 8.3" - 9.5"
  • External Mounting Clamping Range (10 mm Bolts): 7.5" - 8.7"
  • Internal Mounting Clamping Range (20 mm Bolts): 8.7" - 9.9"
  • External Mounting Clamping Range (20 mm Bolts): 7.1" - 8.3"
  • Solar Filter OD: 250 mm
  • Usage: Visual Observation and Imaging
  • Optical Density: 5.1
  • Solar Filter Type: Whitelight