I Took a Photo of the Sun with the Heliostar 76HA !!! ☀️

[@zcoker30]

Stephen is an amazing person. He was a huge help when I started doing Solar stuff.

[@DylanODonnell]

He really is !

[@johnkean6852]

@@DylanODonnell Pls do close ups of stars. The drones in NJ are believed to be chasing plasmoids. If you look close up at stars with a good zoom, they look similar- maybe stars are plasmoids too?

[@StargazerFS128]

Wow! can’t wait to have a look through this, I have been a part of CB solar astronomy for years and have owned several solar scopes. This is tempting, once I read more hands on reviews and am satisfied I may sell my Lunt60 so I too can pull my knob.

[@DylanODonnell]

Heheh

[@videotrexx]

I bought a double-stack etalon for my SolarMax II 60mm a few years ago and I rarely use it because of how much it reduces the illumination. And great to see Stephen on with you!

[@wesleydonnelly2141]

hey Dylan! Mate I actually almost purchased a used Coronado PST 40mm recently, but held off because it was going to dip into my current savings for my 11" SCT scope I've been saving up for for a while. I must say though, I'm even more relieved I didn't purchase the Coro' now because I'd rather wait a while until after purchasing the 11" SCT scope, then start saving up again and purchase that SW 76 solar scope. It looks awesome for the money! 🤩 Thanks as always my friend! Wes, England.

[@DylanODonnell]

Yes I think this is the better option :)

[@davepastern]

Dylan - user "BYoesle" on CN posted a very nice post yesterday about this scope and the sweet spot effect. He summarises it as: "Unless the internal etalon is relatively large and the collimator lens of a longer focal length, you can't get a uniform full-disc within the 0.5 A Jacuinot ("sweet") spot." feedback from a few owners of the scope is validating this btw. As far as I understand, it has to do with the etalon being mid way in the scope and not at the front. I suggest hunting down the thread titled "Camera for Skywatcher HelioStar 76mm Ha" in the solar observing section of CN (BYoesle's post is on the 2nd page).

[@DylanODonnell]

Yes the same thing I see also. Thanks!

[@TehDipiinDots]

A solar Telescope!! by a major brand!!! Vamossssssss

[@dumpydalekobservatory]

Ah Stephen Ramsden the legend I met him when he came to the UK at a place called Lunt Fort near Coventry 9 years ago now I think? Lovely man but don't call him Steve it does his head in lol, I used to do solar outreach for a number of years with Richard Bailey until 2019 then covid hit & I haven't done any since sadly. I would like to get back into it again sometime but still waiting until I get operated on. However I have to say that solar telescope from Skywatcher looks really good & it's nice to see some more competition in the field.

[@DylanODonnell]

He’s a legend huh :)

[@bbroastro]

This is fantastic, I've been eagerly awaiting videos of this scope - truly amazing. When I saw the price and specs, I almost fell off my chair. The price difference here in the UK between this and the Lunt is absolutely HUUUUUUGE.

[@claudiostabile1512]

Thanks for an awesome review of the new Sky-Watcher Heliostar! It was great to see Stephen Ramsden on your show. The Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project has been a major sponsor of our young Astronomy program in Pennsylvania, USA and it was cool to learn he had influence in the Heliostar's development! CBSAP will be sponsoring our trip to the 2025 NEAF Expo and we hope to meet many of you there! We'll be at hosting NEAF's All-Day Solar Viewing program and hope to see you all there!

[@ezza2fly]

Wow, cool scope. Mindblowing images!

[@biggsmpbiggs4045]

I have been waiting for this video for 2 weeks.

[@DylanODonnell]

You can lip read huh! Sry I delayed to get a second light but honestly the first light shots were clearer / better weather.

[@-Jeremiah-]

Oh geez. Ya know, you click on a video expecting something based on the thumbnail. But then you get this review of some awesome product. Is nothing sacred anymore?!?! 😂

[@DylanODonnell]

Hehehe

[@beatriceheinze2294]

Great video, Dylan! I was waiting for a new video from you ;-). Also nice to see Stephen Ramsden again. The SW Heliostar 76 Ha seems a great solar scope. Dylan, have you any idea how this scope compares to the Coronado Solarmax III 70mm double stack BF15? I mean imaging wise and viewing experience.

[@DylanODonnell]

The only Coronado I used was kind of terrible.. the Lunt I have is brilliant .. this one is close to that.

[@beatriceheinze2294]

@@DylanODonnell Yes, the SW Heliostar seems a good quality scope. I'm looking forward to see more of this scope.

[@kevinburke8608]

I saw them debut this on their weekly live stream... an exciting scope! Right in time for whatever is coming around the corner that has been letting off colossal flares. Cant wait to see some images from the C14. I just set up the C9.25 for the Crab Nebula.

[@DylanODonnell]

Nice! That should work well! Good luck

[@sianikolaou5440]

Thanks Dylan, I was so skeptical over this H-alpha scope. Maybe I should consider it after all. But I still will keep dreaming of Lunts!

[@DylanODonnell]

Yeh I think that’s a natural reaction especially with this slightly different technology.

[@joecooksey4331]

You need to be on TV.... I don't know what channel. I am not kidding.

[@DylanODonnell]

Would be fun.. but I’d get way less views than YT!

[@johnkean6852]

@@joecooksey4331 Star Search?

[@mattpenn3972]

(Classical electrostatics does the job describing pressure tuning.) Nerd-ness aside, looks like an interesting new product. Still, it's too bad that level of H-alpha telescope is priced so high... I think your first reaction is correct... $3k is a lot of money.

[@d.fresh.750]

Just pull yer knob...and go deep! This scope looks pretty awesome! I'd like to give solar a go one day. I got a solar film filter for my Apertura 75Q for the April eclipse, but ended up observing instead (first total eclipse). Have yet to try out that filter! 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@jez4491]

In my current budget I have two savings goal. one for a celestron and one for a lunt solarscope. I might move some $$$ from the celestron to solar category and get this sky-watcher

[@paulmurphy9358]

Very interesting - not sure if I understood what he was implying, was this a former Coronado / Meade project and is the new type of etalon free for all manufacturers to start using or did Skywatcher get the IP?

[@DylanODonnell]

Yeh I guess we had to read between the lines here :)

[@kooi1970]

C'mon Dylan, you too? The crazy thumbnail-hype all astro-peole seem to use; a big head looking shocked, big letters and then "I took a photo of .......". I love your videos because you have your own style, but this thumbnail has to go 🙂

[@DylanODonnell]

KZbin made me do it (I give it three thumbnails and it decides based on ai and what you guys click on!)

[@BigTylt]

I think it's time to get over it and find peace

[@tamenyc]

Man, he appeared in my feed for the first time… I guess there is method to the madness

[@bbroastro]

The audience (and analytics) show that while people keep saying this, the stats don't agree! Plus, it brings in a younger audience too haha. I don't mind, I like YT thumbnails, all part of the platform and if it doesn't stand out, I'm probably not clicking.

[@marbasfpv4639]

Can you shoot solar video with this setup?

[@77BlackKnight]

Great video. I use live flats in Sharpcap. Sharpcap also have a solar/Lunar mosaic function. Or u can take just 2 more images and use Microsoft ICE to stitch it together. A powermate is great for solar and zwo 174mm. Do somtimes 6 panel mosaic. Clears skies and now its winter in sweden. Snow and -8 when I did planets last week. Cheers and sun is always fun. 😄

[@dominickzaucha]

Sharpcap mosaic maker is worth the price alone!

[@olegsastrophotography1771]

Brother hello from UKRAINE and thank you very much for all!!

[@DylanODonnell]

Stay strong comrade !

[@uriahheep8470]

Yea, those Synta focusers light my fire.

[@xyren062]

Dylan, what do you think is the appropriate camera to image the sun with this scope?

[@DylanODonnell]

Check my calculations here and try some :) byronbayobservatory.com.au/astronomy-calculator/?focallength=630&fratio=8.3&pixelsize=4&xpixels=1920&ypixels=1080&eyepiecemm=&eyepiecefov=&binning=1&multiplier=1&custommultiplier=&target=sun&p1=&p2=&p3=&lucky=&telescope=1232&camera=1039&eyepiece=

[@ronm6585]

Thanks Dylan.

[@Masoch1st]

Man you really got me thinking about this one

[@KevinRudd-w8s]

Hi Dylan, lInteresting video. That looks a pretty decent Ha scope for the money. Solar astronomy appears expensive because of the price of the scopes, but the overall cost can sometimes work out cheaper than a deep sky imaging rig unless you use a very basic deep sky set up. Sadly the downside of our hobby is it usually is expensive, but it is good to see some companies are trying to make it a bit more affordable. Just asking, can this scope be used with Sky Watchers dedicated solar observing mount?

[@DylanODonnell]

I agree! And yes I believe HPS are even selling it as a combo

[@bassangler73]

Looks like a great scope! I thought The Man, The Myth and The Legend was Ed Van Halen 😃😃

[@DylanODonnell]

Go ahead and JUMP

[@bassangler73]

​@@DylanODonnell👍

[@astroskyman]

Really like your videos but don't understand why you are comparing the Heliostar 76 to the Lunt 100 both in specification and cost, surely it should be compared to the Lunt 80mm telescope in both specification and cost, the Lunt is still considerably more expensive in Double Stack configuration but a correct comparison.

[@richardmattas4003]

dude...are you writing the music too?

[@DylanODonnell]

Sometimes yep :) check me out on streaming .. just under my name !

[@richardmattas4003]

@@DylanODonnell thanks...you have so much talent!

[@privateprivate8244]

What no complimentary dew heater.

[@DylanODonnell]

Hehe

[@UrbanAstroLA]

The h-alpha etalon patents by David Lunt were allowed to expire while under Meade. These scopes by Synta are likely the end result. These seem cool, but I still feel funny about how all that business was handled.

[@DylanODonnell]

Interesting

[@TheWonkyAstronomer]

It's a telescope that can only look at one star.

[@DylanODonnell]

One star ⭐️

[@NM-ql9er]

I got my latest scope from High Point cause of this guy

[@DylanODonnell]

Thank you!

[@PatrickOnDemand]

Look at that green trim. -folds arms-

[@DylanODonnell]

You love it

[@PatrickOnDemand]

@DylanODonnell more of a Celestron paint scheme fanboy personally.... the chick's dig it...

[@Johnkostercreative]

I love this site even though i can’t count to ten.

[@caleb8239]

I no longer feel any particular need to buy anything produced by Synta. Let's not forget that Skywatcher and Coronado brands were both under Synta and Sunny's umbrella until that lawsuit filed by Orion. But Orion is now bankrupt and gone as planned, so wow time to pretend like Skywatcher is suddenly getting into to the solar game!

[@Wombatzone31]

Gods be hating on us up on the Sunny Coast...... clear skies are a dream of late lol

[@DylanODonnell]

Yep! Xmas looks good tho

[@Masoch1st]

The tariffs are gonna suck.

[@joecooksey4331]

You are the HOTTEST man down south... and I am not gay!

[@DylanODonnell]

Well I am sweating!

[@joecooksey4331]

It may be because you had premarital sex or got unbaptized. LOL

[@GeneoftheWorld]

Hottest heliovideographer astrochoreographer astrophlebotomist dude in Anzac zone of mil kiwi

[@sjpp71]

This scope looks great! What about the annoying "sweet spot", does this scope have one? I'll def wait (and save up) and see with this one. Thanks for this review. Rush might be a "chick repellent", but I'm still hearing them ("a modern-day warrior mean-mean stride, today's Tom Sawyer mean mean pride") 😂

[@DylanODonnell]

Yeh it’s hard to get the sweet spot that will be flat across the whole chip with this scope. It’s close but not quite.

[@chrisn.6477]

Is the sun flat? Or just a simulation? Those are your only 2 options.

[@DylanODonnell]

If you say so :)

[@chrisn.6477]

@@DylanODonnell it was a trick question… it can be flat and simulated. Where is your science now?

[@chrisn.6477]

Haha - Anyhow, hope all is well with you and the family. Take care

[@johnkean6852]

Hoping it's your photo/video and not Nasa's AI "algorithm" which inserts a picture from its archives of the 'gps' where your pointing?

[@DylanODonnell]

Lol

[@johnkean6852]

@DylanODonnell lt is? OMG Fake fake fake.

[@johnkean6852]

Just kidding it's your channel do as you wish. Good day, John.

[@abmscopes]

Finally a Lunt slayer! I'm looking sadly at my Lunt 50 now😢 The competition was long overdue. Maybes it'll spur Lunt on to improve their stock focussers and Daystar on to develop a tuning system that doesn't require a 10 minute wait.

[@achebwahs1111]

At that price the next budding Richard Carrington or Richard Hodgson is surely just around the corner. Wait, that's not good scrap that comment. The sun sucks never mind. Quickly changing the subject, do you think the Hydrogen Alpha males pick up chicks saying "Hi, I'm a Solar guy?" They do don't they. Damn. Actually $3k is a pretty good price. If I'm going to discover the next big event I may as well go out with a couple of bangs at least

[@DylanODonnell]

Solar dudes definitely get more chicks than galaxy creepers.

[@achebwahs1111]

@@DylanODonnell Not a single one wanted to come back to mine to see my 12 inch dob. I don't want to be a creeper anymore.

[@nightwaves3203]

Can you video while shifting around the spectrum maybe.....remember everything is meaningless because we all have fools running things.

[@martinvillamayor5354]

Big fan of the clickbait impressed face thumbnail lol

[@DylanODonnell]

Haha yes .. don’t hate the playa .. etc etc

[@dylanjohnson7091]

@@DylanODonnellunfortunately this one’s on the playa

[@winman14may]

nice thumbnail 🤣🤣🤣

[@DylanODonnell]

Hehehe

[@RobBarter]

Typical. Just convinced myself not to to spend any more on astronomy for a few months and then this comes along.....

[@DylanODonnell]

They always pull you back in …

[@RobBarter]

@@DylanODonnell And in the last 2 minutes they've become in stock at my local Astronomy Shop a few miles away.

[@esnevip]

Disliked and don't recccomend for the stupid thumbnail and for the first 3 seconds of the video being an advert.

[@DylanODonnell]

I’m sorry for upsetting you.

[@esnevip]

@DylanODonnell not upset. Don't be sorry, be better.

[@DylanODonnell]

@@esnevipI’m glad you’re not upset.

[@ianrwin]

I can hear you thinkin about politics all the way from California and im sure i disagree with you for some reason so I demand you cut it out immediately

[@DylanODonnell]

Hahaha

[@GeneoftheWorld]

Remove the US debt ceiling and use it to buy the Heliscopes like srsly

[@peacequest69]

Green is an ugly colour on a telescope 😉

[@DylanODonnell]

Greenwashing!