Celestron has introduced its EclipSmart solar safe optics and observing kits in advance of the 2017 North American Total Solar Eclipse. The EclipSmart line includes everything you need to plan, experience, photograph, and celebrate America’s total solar eclipse including 100-percent Solar Safe glasses, binoculars, and telescopes, plus smartphone/DSLR photo filters, eclipse transit maps, posters, booklets, and more.
EclipSmart solar products feature Solar Safe filter technology providing protection from harmful solar radiation, including both IR and UV light, and filters 99.999% of intense visible light. Celestron Solar Safe filter technology is guaranteed safe for direct solar observation and has been independently tested by SAI Global Assurance Services. Solar Safe products conform to and meet the transmission requirements of ISO 12312-2, Filters for Direct Observation of the Sun, EN 1836:2005 + A1:2007 (E) for an E15 Filter for the Direct Observation of the Sun and, AS/NZS 1338.1:2012, Filters for Eye Protectors.
Among Celestron’s offerings are:
EclipSmart Solar Shades
The EclipSmart Solar Shades feature solar-safe film to protection s when viewing the sun and are designed to fold in two different folding points to accommodate small and large inter-pupillary distances. The Shades are economical, easy to use, and 100-percent ISO certified Solar Safe. They will easily fold up fit in your pocket for stowage and are retail priced at $2.95 each.
EclipSmart Solar Shades Sun and Eclipse Observing Kit
The EclipSmart Solar Shades Sun and Eclipse Observing Kit offers four pair of Solar Shades packaged with a 32-page eclipse booklet. The booklet has the info you will ever about eclipses and the upcoming eclipse due to hit North America in August 2017. It includes a transit map, timetable by city and facts about eclipses. The Solar Safe Shades are economical, easy to use, and 100-percent ISO certified Solar Safe. The kit is offered at $9.95US.
EclipSmart 2x Power Viewers Sun and Eclipse Observing Kit
The EclipSmart 2x Power Viewers Sun and Eclipse Observing Kit is designed to view eclipses and general solar viewing at 2X magnification. You can even see sunspots on the surface of the Sun. Each kit offers two of the 2X Power Viewers, which easily fold up to fit in your pocket. The kit also includes an Eclipse Transit map (24×36-inch vintage travel poster), which offers detailed information for the 2017 total solar eclipse and can be hung on your wall. The kit is offered at $9.95US.
EclipSmart Deluxe 3-Piece Sun Observing and Imaging Kit
The EclipSmart Deluxe 3-Piece Sun Observing and Imaging Kit (Image 4) includes one pair of hard-frame, wrap-around style solar glasses, a uniquely designed Solar Imaging filter, and Celestron’s solar eclipse booklet with all the information you need for the upcoming North American eclipse.
The premium hard-frame, wrap-around EclipSmart Solar Glasses feature Celestron’s Solar Safe filter technology for guaranteed safe observation of the Sun. The Innovative EclipSmart Photo Filter also offers Solar Safe technology and is designed for taking still images and video of the solar eclipse with your DSLR, point and shoot camera, or smartphone. The kit is offered at $26.95US.
EclipSmart Ultra 8-Piece Sun Observing and Imaging Kit
The EclipSmart Ultra 8-Piece Sun Observing and Imaging Kit (Image 5) offers an affordable, super-sized package to let an entire family take in the eclipse. Included are a pair of hard-frame Solar Glasses, four foldable paper Solar Shades, the innovative Photo Filter, the 32-page book and the bonus poster. The kit is priced at $34.95US.
EclipSmart 10x25mm Solar Binocular
The EclipSmart 10x25mm Solar Binocular (Image 6) features Solar Safe filter technology and dual lens, non-removable glass solar filters that fully meet ISO12312-2 – safe for viewing the sun when used in accordance with the included instructions.
The large field of view allows users to easily locate and view the entire solar disk while observing the natural details of the Sun, including daily sunspot activity and eclipse. The binoculars have a rubber-armored aluminum body, which is both rugged and weather resistant. They include a soft carry case and binocular strap. The binoculars are priced at $34.95US.
EclipSmart 10x42mm Solar Binocular
With its multi-coated optics and Solar Safe filter technology, the Celestron EclipSmart 10x42mm binocular (Image 7) offers high-contrast images to clearly show the details of the Sun. The natural image color presentation also enhances the view of the Sun, allowing the details of the Sun to be seen as they truly are.
The Celestron EclipSmart 10×42 mm binocular provides a generous field of view, allowing for a full image of the solar disk to be seen. It includes a soft carry case and binocular strap. The binoculars are priced at $69.95US.
EclipSmart Travel Scope 50
The Celestron EclipSmart Travel Scope 50 provides a dedicated white-light solar telescope for the observer on the go. The 50-mm refracting telescope uses Celestron’s Solar Safe, ISO compliant, full-aperture glass solar-filter material to ensure the safest view of solar events. The filters are permanently attached and cannot be accidentally removed while observing.
The kit comes complete with everything you need, including the dedicated solar telescope, a Solar Safe finder scope, tripod, a high quality 20-mm (18x) Kellner eyepiece and a nylon backpack to carry everything in. The Solar Safe finder scope allows you to easily align the telescope to the Sun without directly viewing the Sun. Just line up the shadow of the pointer with the center of the target reticle, and the Sun should appear in your eyepiece.
The scope’s photo-style alt-azimuth mount and tripod allow easy adjust and aiming while offering great stability. The telescope can point straight overhead without interference. The 20-mm Kellner (1.25-inch) eyepiece offers 18X magnification for a good image scale, while offering a wide field if view to make it easier to track the Sun’s motion.
Where to Buy
The full line of EclipSmart Optics and Observing Kits are available from your favorite Celestron dealer. For more information, visit www.celestron.com.
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The Astronomy Technology Today editorial staff would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the availability of our Solar eclipse equipment guide – The Definitive Equipment Guide to the 2017 Solar Eclipse. Our goal with the 40 page publication is to provide an easy-to-consume introduction to the technological options for viewing and imaging the Great Solar Eclipse. We cover the gamut of options available including building you own solar viewer, solar glasses, smart phones, DSLR cameras, using astronomy telescopes, solar telescopes, using binoculars, solar filters (including a DYI filter option), CCD astro cameras, astro video cameras, webcams and much more. You can view the guide on our website here – its free and there is no requirement to sign up to read the guide.