Going H-alpha: The AOK PST etalon : 2" adapters have arrived.

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WARNING: SOLAR OBSERVATION REQUIRES GREAT CARE AND SAFE FILTRATION.
INSTANT PERMANENT BLINDNESS CAN EASILY RESULT FROM SIMPLE MISTAKES.
NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN THROUGH ANY LENS, MIRROR OR INSTRUMENT UNLESS IT HAS BEEN FULLY TESTED AND APPROVED FOR SUCH USE. YOU FOLLOW MY EXAMPLE ENTIRELY AT YOUR OWN PERIL!

Excellent service from Beat Kohler @ AOKSwiss in the swift arrival of my PST etalon to 2" adapters. 

All images are taken in sunshine and flash to bring out the maximum detail. The items look much blacker to the naked eye and even more matt inside. 

The PST etalon's [female thread] rear adapter feels much heavier and very sturdy. It has a knife edge baffle. Two thumbscrews are supplied for 2" fitting eyepieces, star diagonals or 2" to 1.25" adapters.

Meanwhile the front adapter feels very light indeed and also has a knife-edge baffle. 

The machining is crisp, evenly blackened and threads onto other components very smoothly. They do feel like good quality workmanship without that high gloss black finish most accessory makers choose. I find the matt black purposeful and sophisticated.

Note the long internal thread for fitting 48mm filters in the front [male thread] adapter. This will also reduce scattered or grazing light. 

The lower right image shows both adapters screwed [partially] onto the PST etalon in the middle. Sunny side of the Etalon faces left. 2" star diagonal inserted for scale.

I have yet to attack the "Loctite" residue on the PST's etalon threads. So don't want to damage the threads on the new adapters. It sounds [from online homework] as if most normal solvents will soften the hardened glue residue and allow a brass brush to clean off the rest. 

It seems too obvious to point out that the solvent must NOT be allowed to get near any optical components. So a lightly dampened cloth is more sensible than sloshing liquid solvent all over the place. Working outdoors, or in a well ventilated situation, is considered essential to good health practice.

Click on any image for an enlargement.

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