The H-Alpha 7nm filter is the most popular narrowband filter allowing 7nm bandwidth of light centered on a wavelength of 656nm through, and reducing the transmission of certain wavelengths of light, specifically those produced by artificial light including mercury vapor, and both high and low pressure sodium vapor lights and the unwanted natural light caused by neutral oxygen emission in our atmosphere (i.e. skyglow).
This is the best choice of narrowband H-alpha astrophotography filter for highest contrast and revealing subtle nebula details.
Main Use and Performance
Suitable for viewing on faint emission nebula of H-Alpha line in full moonlight or in severe light pollution.
Hubble look of images can be made by the combination of H-alpha, OIII-CCD and SII-CCD, such as the famous “Pillars of Creation” (M16 Eagle Nebula).
Narrowband imaging with SHO set (H-alpha, OIII-CCD and SII-CCD) can be done with the moon up in heavy light pollution, so your equipment is not sitting dormant for several weeks.
H-alpha filter is the first narrowband addition to LRGB set for most imagers who blend a black-and-white Ha image into RGB data to enhance structural detail while maintaining natural look.
Narrowband filter do not eliminate the effects of light pollution or increase the object’s brightness.
In many cases, they increase the contrast between nebula and night sky, not brightening the nebula.
Technical Data
Schott substrate material
Thickness 2.0 mm (1.25”/2”/36mm)
Thickness 1.0 mm (Clip series)
Surface Quality: 60/40 (Refer to MIL-O-13830)
Fine-optically polished to ensure accurate 1/4 wavefront and < 30 seconds parallelism over the both surfaces
80% transmission at H-alpha line 656nm
Infrared wavelength 700-1100nm cut-off
0.1% transmission of off-band, specifically the major emission lines of artificial light pollution (i.e. Na 589nm, Hg 435nm and 578nm). Transmission of 0.1% is equivalent to OD3 (Optical Density), and a high optical density value indicates very low transmission, and low optical density indicates high transmission.
Filter Cell
Ultra-thin filter cell minimize vignetting by maximize possible clear aperture (clear aperture is 26mm for 1.25”; 45mm for 2”)
Aerometal Material | Precise CNC Machining | Sand Blasting Process | Black Anodized Finish | Extinction Treatment to Prevent Reflection | Laser Engraving No Fading Coating Parameter
Multi-layers anti-reflection coating
Non-cementing optical substrate coating
Electron-beam gun evaporation with Ion-assisted deposition coating technology for durability and resistance to scratching, as well as stability on CWL(central wavelength) no deviation affected by temperature change.
Planetary rotation system offers precision and homogeneity of coatings ensuring high value on transmission of pass-band and Optical density of off-band.
