Baader Cool-Ceramic Safety Herschel Prism 2" Mark II Sun White Light Visual and Photographic Photo

2" Herschel wedge prism – Photographic version, one-sided Phantom Group® anti-reflective coating, with ceramic solar finder and 2" ClickLock® eyepiece clamp.
Integrated rotation mechanism for polarizing filters – the best method for adjusting brightness for visual solar observation and solar photography in white light.
In combination with the optional 2" polarizing filter (single) (#2408342, €72) and the included neutral density (gray) filter, it allows for continuous brightness adjustment.
Includes the Baader 7.5 nm Solar Continuum 2" filter (540 nm) (#2961581, €198) for an uncompromisingly sharp image of the sun.
S58 dovetail mount and safety kerfs on the barrel, factory-preset innovative 3-point adjustment system.
Photographic version includes:
Baader Cool-Ceramic Safety Herschel Prism Mark II 2" Visual (#2956510V, €575)
Baader 7.5 nm Solar Continuum 2" filter (540 nm) (#2961581, €198)
Neutral density (gray) filter 2", ND 3.0 (T=0.1%) (#2458332 , €81)
Neutral Density Filter (Gray Filter) 2", ND 1.8 (T=1.5%) (#2458331 , €81)
Neutral Density Filter (Gray Filter) 2", ND 0.9 (T=12.5%) (#2458322 , €81)
Neutral Density Filter (Gray Filter) 2", ND 0.6 (T=25%) (#2458321 , €81)

Baader 2" Cool-Ceramic Safety Herschel Prism Mark II, Visual and Photographic
There is no better method for uncompromisingly sharp solar observation / solar photography in white light.

A Herschel wedge allows the use of even the highest magnifications on a refractor without compromising quality.

The Baader 2" Cool Ceramic Safety Herschel Prism Mark II features:

An integrated rotation mechanism for polarizing filters – the best method for adjusting the brightness for visual solar observation and solar photography in white light. This filter rotation mechanism allows for continuous rotation of the filters in the optical beam path. Since the Herschel prism emits singly polarized light, continuous brightness adjustment is possible when combined with the optional 2" polarizing filter (single) (#2408342, €72) and the included neutral density (gray) filter. All necessary filters always remain in the Herschel prism, even when changing eyepieces!

Includes the Baader 7.5 nm Solar Continuum 2" Filter (540 nm) (#2961581, €198) with 7.5 nm HWB for an uncompromisingly sharp solar image.

Herschel prisms always require additional light attenuation filters. The energy reflected from the prism to the eyepiece is still 1000 times too high. For this reason, we only ship our Herschel prisms with a factory-installed ND 3.0 attenuation filter and a Solar Continuum filter, both of which can always remain in the Herschel prism. The photographic version includes additional ND filters for selective light attenuation when using cameras and at high magnifications.

S58 dovetail – as on the Steeltrack OAZ – allows the use of the following three adapters:

BDS 2" Diamond Steeltrack® S58 to M48 BDS adapter (#2957204, €29)
BDS 2" Diamond Steeltrack® S58 to M68i BDS Adapter (#2957207, €54)
BDS 2" Diamond Steeltrack® S58 to T-2 BDS Adapter (#2957202, €27)
e.g., for short-frame camera adaptation
The factory-preset, innovative 3-point adjustment system of the wedge prism
Safety kerfs on the receptacle
Sturdy carrying case made of ABS plastic with gasket and air seal IP67
Available in 2 versions:
Baader Cool-Ceramic Safety Herschel Prism Mark II 2" Visual (#2956510V, €575) with neutral density filter (gray filter) 2", ND 3.0 (T=0.1%) (#2458332, € 81)
Baader Cool-Ceramic Safety Herschel Prism 2" Mark II Photo (#2956510P, €645) with neutral density filter (ND 3.0/1.8/0.9/0.6).

The advantages of the Safety Cool-Ceramic Herschel Prism

Space technology: A multi-layered light trap made of heat-absorbing heat shields and a special heat-absorbing ceramic covering the light trap absorbs radiant heat without overheating the surroundings – like the heat tiles on the space shuttle. The prism also remains temperature-stable for a long time.
Closed housing: No glare or fire hazard from the deflected sunlight, allowing safe observation.
Sunfinder: The ceramic plate also acts as a screen for the sunlight beam. Positioning the sun in the center of the telescope's field of view is child's play.
ClickLock eyepiece clamp: With a 15° rotation, you can clamp any eyepiece securely in place – even in winter with thick gloves.
Short overall length: Can be shortened by approximately 30 mm for use with DSLRs or binocular attachments – e.g., with the optional T-2 adapter Diamond Steeltrack® S58 to T-2 BDS adapter (#2957202, €27) or Diamond Steeltrack® S58 to M48 BDS adapter (#2957204, €29).
Integrated filter holder: All necessary filters are permanently installed in the housing using the rotatable filter holder – no risk when changing eyepieces!
Adjusting the brightness for photography: To allow enough light to pass through for photography at high magnifications, the pre-installed ND3 filter can be replaced with a weaker filter (available separately or included with the photo version of the Baader Cool-Ceramic Safety Herschel Prism 2" Mark II Photo (#2956510P, €645)).

The Herschel wedge works on the principle of using only a small portion (4.6%) of the incoming light for actual observation. This 4.6% is further reduced by a factor of 1000 to a safe level by the ND 3.0 neutral density filter installed as standard in both versions. The much larger, high-energy portion passes through the housing and forms a focal point in the air outside. Even far beyond this focal point, this concentration of light would still be irritatingly bright and dangerous if an inexperienced observer were to accidentally (or deliberately) look into the outgoing beam. That's why our Herschel prisms have been using light traps for years to eliminate this risk. With the enclosed light trap and Cool-Ceramic protective plate, observing the sun with a Herschel prism is safe for both private individuals and public institutions and schools.

You don't need an additional objective solar filter in front of your refractor telescope to safely observe the sun with the Baader Cool-Ceramic Herschel prism and the built-in ND 3.0 filter!

Please note: Herschel prisms must not be used on Petzval systems or other telescopes that have glass in the light path near the focal point. Multi-lens systems do not pose a problem as long as the optics are at the front of the objective. As long as the light is not collimated (i.e., the energy is not yet concentrated at the focal point), the heat input is no greater than the solar energy on a white surface in summer. Therefore, it is a long-held and just as often refuted misconception that refractor optics degrade or overheat. All refractor optics, whether oil-filled or air-gap, sold by Baader Planetarium are absolutely suitable for solar observation using a Herschel prism. The oils used are all UV-resistant. (However, we can only speak for products from the brands we know – please refer to your telescope's manual to see if it is suitable for solar projection.)

Solar observation with a large aperture is particularly interesting using a tri-band SCT – a multi-purpose telescope based on a Schmidt-Cassegrain principle, for the sun and deep sky (various versions/variants available). The Schmidt plate, equipped with an energy-protection filter, allows telescopes with an aperture up to 11" to also be used for solar observation with a Herschel wedge!

Technical specifications:

Connections on the telescope side (included as standard):

2" (50.8 mm) barrel with locking groove and M48 filter thread
Dovetail ring (ring groove) S58 x 3.7 mm, e.g., for connecting to Zeiss M68 and other Baader connection standards with optional adapters

Connections on the eyepiece side (included as standard):

2" (50.8 mm) Clicklock clamp with brass tension ring
Dovetail ring (ring groove) S58 x 3.7 mm, as on the SteelTrack focusers

Body: Metal, milled and anodized matte black; Pearl white textured finish

MANUFACTURER Baader Planetarium
ITEM NUMBER (#) 2956510P
EAN CODE 4047825051974
OPTICAL DESIGN Herschel prism
INNER CONNECTION (TELESCOPE SIDE) Thread, M48, 2" (50.8mm)
OUTER CONNECTION (TELESCOPE SIDE) Receptacle, dovetail ring, S58, 2" (50.8mm)
INNER CONNECTION (EYEPIECE/CAMERA SIDE) Clamp, 2" (50.8mm)
OUTER CONNECTION (EYEPIECE/CAMERA SIDE) Thread, dovetail ring, S58, 2" (50.8mm)
REFLECTIVE SURFACE Front reflection
COATING (ANTI-REFLECTION) Phantom Coating® Group
IMAGE ORIENTATION: Upright image, mirror-inverted
CLAMPING SYSTEM: ClickLock
ACCESSORIES INCLUDED: Baader 2" 7.5nm Solar Continuum Filter, ND 3.0/1.8/0.9/0.6 Neutral Density (Gray) Filter.
SUNLIGHT WAVELENGTH: White light (integral light)