# How to Photograph the Sun With a Smart Telescope > Safe solar imaging with a smart telescope: which scopes include a solar filter, how to fit it, step-by-step capture, what you'll really see and eclipse tips. - Source: https://smarttelescopereview.com/posts/how-to-photograph-the-sun-with-a-smart-telescope/ - Markdown version: https://smarttelescopereview.com/posts/how-to-photograph-the-sun-with-a-smart-telescope.md - Last updated: 2026-11-12 --- - [Home](https://smarttelescopereview.com/) - [Guides](https://smarttelescopereview.com/guides/) - How to Photograph the Sun With a Smart Telescope (Safely) Solar safety # How to Photograph the Sun With a Smart Telescope (Safely) Updated November 12, 2026 By [Smart Telescope Review Editorial Team](https://smarttelescopereview.com/about/) [How we research](https://smarttelescopereview.com/how-we-research/) Prices are approximate and change often, so check the current price before you buy. ## Key takeaways - Never point any telescope at the Sun without a **certified full-aperture solar filter** fitted securely over the front. NASA warns that looking through a telescope without one causes instant, severe eye injury. - Seestar S30 Plus, S30 Pro and S50 Pro, Dwarf 3 and Dwarf Mini include a solar filter. Vespera and Unistellar filters cost extra. The Celestron Origin has no solar option at all. - A white-light filter shows sunspots and limb darkening. Prominences in ads come from dedicated hydrogen-alpha telescopes. - Fit the filter before the scope ever points near the Sun, and never leave a solar setup unattended. - ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses are for your eyes only, never for use behind or in front of a telescope. ## Our top picks - 1![ZWO Seestar S50 Pro Smart Telescope](https://smarttelescopereview.com/_astro/seestar-s50-pro.BOj1gADQ_1F3c68.webp)Best for solar imaging: solar filter in the box, 50 mm aperture, about $999[ZWO Seestar S50 Pro Smart Telescope](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/seestar-s50-pro/)50 mm f/5.2 · 2.45° × 1.38° · 6.2 lb8.6**$$**$$Mid-rangePrice tier: Mid-range[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HP1RDLVP?tag=smarttelescopereview.com-20) - 2![DWARFLAB Dwarf 3 Smart Telescope](https://smarttelescopereview.com/_astro/dwarf-3.BTcvoQNe_1cVPwz.webp)Best value: magnetic solar filter included, 4K sensor, about $549[DWARFLAB Dwarf 3 Smart Telescope](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/dwarf-3/)35 mm f/4.3 · 2.93° × 1.65° · 3 lb8.2**$**$$$BudgetPrice tier: Budget[Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHP6K4BK?tag=smarttelescopereview.com-20) - 3![ZWO Seestar S30 Pro Smart Telescope](https://smarttelescopereview.com/_astro/seestar-s30-pro.DqtA63or_29e8vC.webp)Best portable: 1.65 kg with a magnetic solar filter included, about $664[ZWO Seestar S30 Pro Smart Telescope](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/seestar-s30-pro/)30 mm f/5.3 · 3.99° × 2.24° · 3.6 lb8.5**$$**$$Mid-rangePrice tier: Mid-range[Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYX9GSVX?tag=smarttelescopereview.com-20) - 4![Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ](https://smarttelescopereview.com/_astro/celestron-starsense-dx-130az.QWFa6Xc3_4B1KB.webp)Best traditional option: 130 mm reflector plus an EclipSmart filter (about $23), about $500[Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/celestron-starsense-dx-130az/)130 mm f/5 · Phone-guided (eyepiece) · 18 lb7.5**$**$$$BudgetPrice tier: Budget[Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083JRF1MH?tag=smarttelescopereview.com-20) ### On this page 9 sections - [Safety first: the rules that don’t bend](#safety-first-the-rules-that-dont-bend) - [Which scopes are ready for the Sun](#which-scopes-are-ready-for-the-sun) - [Step by step: your first solar session](#step-by-step-your-first-solar-session) - [What you’ll actually see](#what-youll-actually-see) - [A traditional alternative: the StarSense DX 130AZ](#a-traditional-alternative-the-starsense-dx-130az) - [Eclipse notes](#eclipse-notes) - [Our picks for solar imaging](#our-picks-for-solar-imaging) - [How we chose](#how-we-chose) - [FAQ](#faq) ## Before you choose - [The Best Filters for Smart Telescopes: Built-In, Dual-Band, Broadband and Solar](https://smarttelescopereview.com/posts/best-filters-for-smart-telescopes/) - [Best Smart Telescope for Beginners (2026): 5 Easy Picks and a First-Night Checklist](https://smarttelescopereview.com/posts/best-smart-telescope-for-beginners/) - [How Smart Telescopes Work: Plate Solving, Live Stacking and the Numbers That Matter](https://smarttelescopereview.com/posts/how-smart-telescopes-work/) The Sun is the one target you can image from the middle of a city at lunchtime, and most smart telescopes come ready for it. Sunspots change from day to day, so it’s also one of the few targets that rewards checking in often. But the Sun is also the only target that can wreck your equipment or your eyesight in a moment. Safety comes first in this guide, then which scopes are ready out of the box, a step-by-step workflow and what you’ll realistically see. This is a research-based guide: we haven’t tested these telescopes ourselves. Safety guidance comes from NASA and the American Astronomical Society (AAS), and results come from named reviews. Prices are US Amazon prices on November 12, 2026; check today’s price before you buy. ## Safety first: the rules that don’t bend [NASA’s eclipse safety page](https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/safety/) is blunt: looking at the Sun through a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury. You don’t look through most smart telescopes, but the same concentrated sunlight can cook a sensor, and anyone glancing along or into the scope is at risk. Solar safety: the four rules Applies to every smart and traditional telescope. Filter on the frontOnly a certified full-aperture solar filter, fitted securely over the front of the telescope, is safe. NASA and the AAS warn that eyepiece-end filters are dangerous. Check it every timeInspect the film for scratches or pinholes before each use; don't use a damaged filter. Never leave it unattendedWind or curious hands can knock a filter off. Kids and pets shouldn't be near a scope pointed at the Sun. Glasses are for eyes onlyISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses are for looking at the Sun directly, never through a telescope, binoculars or camera. Step by step in [how to photograph the Sun safely](https://smarttelescopereview.com/posts/how-to-photograph-the-sun-with-a-smart-telescope/). The [AAS guidance on filters for optics](https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/optics-filters) adds the key detail: the filter must be attached to the front of the telescope, and solar filters that fit at the eyepiece end are dangerous. That’s why every smart-telescope solar filter covers the objective lens. Eclipse glasses are a different product. The AAS explains that [ISO 12312-2](https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/iso12312-2) covers filters for viewing the Sun directly with your eyes, not filters for the front of a telescope. Use glasses to look at the Sun yourself while the telescope images it, and never hold them over any optics. A few habits to build: - **Inspect the filter every time.** Look for scratches, pinholes or creases in the film. Don’t use a damaged filter. - **Never leave it unattended.** Wind, kids or pets can knock a filter loose. - **Cap or cover the finder.** On traditional telescopes, any finder scope needs its own filter or a cap. ## Which scopes are ready for the Sun | Telescope | Solar filter | Notes | Price (Nov 12, 2026) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Seestar S50 Pro](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/seestar-s50-pro/) | Included | In the box with a hard case and carbon tripod | ~$999 | | [Seestar S30 Pro](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/seestar-s30-pro/) | Included | Magnetic (per BBC Sky at Night and Fstoppers) | ~$664 | | [Seestar S30 Plus](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/seestar-s30-plus/) | Included | Magnetic | ~$474 | | [Dwarf 3](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/dwarf-3/) | Included | Magnetic | ~$549 | | [Dwarf Mini](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/dwarf-mini/) | Included | Magnetic ND filter | ~$419 | | [Vespera 3](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/vaonis-vespera-3/) | Optional | Sold separately by Vaonis | ~$2,490 | | [Unistellar Odyssey](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/unistellar-odyssey/) | Optional | Smart Solar Filter, about $199 per Digital Camera World | ~$2,079 | | [Origin Mark II](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/celestron-origin-mark-ii/) | None | Never point it at the Sun | ~$4,299 | ZWO and DWARFLAB are the easy choice: every current Seestar and Dwarf ships with a solar filter. [Live Science rated the Dwarf Mini’s](https://www.livescience.com/technology/dwarflab-dwarf-mini-smart-telescope-review) solar and lunar imaging excellent, even though it found planets disappointing. Vaonis sells a solar filter separately for the Vespera II, 3 and Pro 2. Unistellar sells its Smart Solar Filter separately; [BBC Sky at Night](https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/reviews/unistellar-odyssey-pro) notes the Odyssey Pro’s solar filter is held on by magnets. Celestron’s Origin Mark II has no solar option. Celestron doesn’t offer solar imaging for it, so don’t improvise a filter. ## Step by step: your first solar session - **Fit the filter indoors.** Attach the solar filter before you power on or carry the scope outside, so it’s never aimed skyward uncovered. Check it’s seated firmly all the way around. - **Set up in the shade if you can.** Level the tripod and start the app as usual. Keep the scope pointed away from the Sun until the filter is confirmed. - **Choose the Sun in the app.** Select the Sun as your target and let the scope slew. Follow your app’s own solar instructions where it gives them. - **Focus on a sunspot or the edge.** Autofocus usually needs contrast. A sunspot group or the sharp limb of the disc gives it something to lock onto. If there are no spots, focus on the limb. - **Keep exposures short.** Even through a filter, the Sun is bright. Let the app set exposure, and if you adjust manually, lower it until the disc isn’t washed out and spots show dark cores. - **Capture a few frames, not a long stack.** The Sun doesn’t need long integration. Save several images and keep the sharpest. - **Pack up in reverse.** Point away from the Sun, power down, and only then remove the filter indoors. ## What you’ll actually see A white-light filter shows the photosphere, the Sun’s visible surface. Expect: - **Sunspots,** often in groups with darker cores (umbrae) and lighter surroundings (penumbrae). They change from day to day as the Sun rotates. - **Limb darkening,** the disc fading toward its edge. - **Brighter patches near the limb** on good days. Prominences and flares are not visible in white light. The red loops in many ads come from hydrogen-alpha solar telescopes, which are different instruments. Size isn’t a problem: the Sun is about 32 arcminutes across, so the whole disc fits comfortably in the frame of every 30–50 mm smart scope here. On the [Seestar S50 Pro](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/seestar-s50-pro/) it spans roughly 800 pixels. You can check framing in the [field-of-view calculator](https://smarttelescopereview.com/tools/fov-calculator/#target=sun&scope=seestar-s50-pro). ## A traditional alternative: the StarSense DX 130AZ If you’d rather look at the Sun live through an eyepiece, the [Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/celestron-starsense-dx-130az/) (about $500) plus Celestron’s [EclipSmart solar filter for 127 mm and 130 mm reflectors](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00019TT4I?tag=smarttelescopereview.com-20) (about $23) is a capable white-light setup. Celestron markets the filter as ISO 12312-2 compliant and lists it for select 127 mm and 130 mm telescopes, so measure your tube’s outer diameter first. Cover or remove the finder before pointing at the Sun. [Check the DX 130AZ price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083JRF1MH?tag=smarttelescopereview.com-20). | Item | Type | Fits | Buy | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Celestron EclipSmart solar filter for 127 mm and 130 mm reflectors**ISO 12312-2 compliant full-aperture filter that turns a 130 mm reflector into a safe white-light Sun scope for sunspots. | Solar | StarSense DX 130AZ (Celestron lists select 127 mm and 130 mm telescopes; measure your tube's outer diameter first.) | [Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00019TT4I?tag=smarttelescopereview.com-20) | | Celestron EclipSmart universal solar filter (75–100 mm)**Adjustable ISO 12312-2 compliant film filter for objectives with an outside diameter of 75–100 mm, such as spotting scopes and some traditional telescopes. | Solar | Any telescope (Too big for 30–50 mm smart scopes; use the maker's own solar filter on those.) | [Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CH45ZBKV?tag=smarttelescopereview.com-20) | | Soluna ISO 12312-2 solar eclipse glasses (2-pack)**For looking at the Sun with your own eyes while the scope images it; never look through a telescope with them. | Solar | Any telescope | [Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GB3QC1H?tag=smarttelescopereview.com-20) | | Thousand Oaks black-polymer solar filter sheet, 4 × 4 in**DIY solar film for making a secure full-aperture filter cell for a small scope or camera lens. | Solar | Any telescope (Only for confident DIYers: the cell must fit tightly over the front so it can't blow off. Never use a filter at the eyepiece end.) | [Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DS7IFQS?tag=smarttelescopereview.com-20) | The universal EclipSmart filter in that table covers 75–100 mm objectives, which is too big for 30–50 mm smart scopes; use the maker’s own filter on those. The Thousand Oaks film sheet is only for confident DIYers who can build a tight-fitting cell. ## Eclipse notes A solar eclipse is one of the best reasons to own a smart telescope with a solar filter: the scope tracks the Sun automatically, and you can capture the Moon’s bite growing and shrinking across the partial phases. - **Keep the filter on.** The simplest safe rule for a smart telescope is to leave the filter on for the whole event. Removing it at the wrong moment risks the sensor, and you can’t make that mistake if it stays on. - **Practice beforehand.** Run a full solar session on an ordinary day so you know your app’s steps. - **Bring glasses for people.** Hand out ISO 12312-2 glasses so everyone can watch with their own eyes while the scope does the imaging. - **Bring power.** Eclipses last hours. A USB-C power bank keeps 30–50 mm scopes running; check your manual for supported input. ## Our picks for solar imaging - **[Seestar S50 Pro](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/seestar-s50-pro/)** (about $999): solar filter in the box and the most aperture among the Seestars. [Check the price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HP1RDLVP?tag=smarttelescopereview.com-20). - **[Dwarf 3](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/dwarf-3/)** (about $549): magnetic solar filter included, 4K sensor and daytime wildlife use. [Check the price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHP6K4BK?tag=smarttelescopereview.com-20). - **[Seestar S30 Pro](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/seestar-s30-pro/)** (about $664): 1.65 kg, so it travels to an eclipse easily. ## How we chose We checked each of the 15 telescopes we track for whether a solar filter is included, optional or unavailable, using maker pages and named reviews, and matched solar accessories to the scopes their listings confirm. Safety guidance comes from NASA and the AAS. Our full process is on [how we research](https://smarttelescopereview.com/how-we-research/). For more on filters in general, read [best filters for smart telescopes](https://smarttelescopereview.com/posts/best-filters-for-smart-telescopes/), and if you’re still choosing a first scope, see the [best smart telescope for beginners](https://smarttelescopereview.com/posts/best-smart-telescope-for-beginners/). ## Don't guess. Calculate. - [🔭 Sky Target Checker](https://smarttelescopereview.com/tools/sky-target-checker/): what each scope can see from your sky - [🖼️ FOV Calculator](https://smarttelescopereview.com/tools/fov-calculator/): framing and mosaics, scope by scope - [🎯 Telescope Matcher](https://smarttelescopereview.com/tools/telescope-matcher/): which scopes fit your budget and goals - [📊 Compare every scope](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/): sortable spec table ## Frequently asked questions ### Is it safe to point a smart telescope at the Sun? Only with the maker's solar filter (or another certified full-aperture solar filter) fitted securely over the front of the telescope. Without it, the focused sunlight can damage the sensor, and with any telescope you look through, NASA warns it can cause instant, severe eye injury. ### Which smart telescopes come with a solar filter? The Seestar S30 Plus, S30 Pro and S50 Pro, and the Dwarf 3 and Dwarf Mini include one. Vaonis sells a solar filter separately for the Vespera line, Unistellar sells a Smart Solar Filter separately, and Celestron offers no solar option for the Origin Mark II. ### Can a smart telescope show solar prominences? No. The included filters are white-light filters, which show the Sun's visible surface: sunspots and the darker edge of the disc. Prominences and flares need a dedicated hydrogen-alpha solar telescope. ### Can I use eclipse glasses as a telescope filter? No. ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses are made for looking at the Sun directly with your eyes. The American Astronomical Society says telescopes need a solar filter attached to the front, and that filters fitted at the eyepiece end are dangerous. ### Can I image a solar eclipse with a smart telescope? Yes, the partial phases of an eclipse are a good smart-telescope project with the solar filter fitted. The simplest safe approach is to keep the filter on for the whole event and never remove it while any part of the Sun's surface is visible. ## Sources - [American Astronomical Society: Solar filters for optics](https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/optics-filters) · checked 2026-11-12 — A solar filter for a telescope, binoculars or camera must be attached to the front of the optics; solar filters that fit at the eyepiece end are dangerous. - [American Astronomical Society: ISO 12312-2 explained](https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/iso12312-2) · checked 2026-11-12 — ISO 12312-2 covers filters for direct viewing of the Sun with the eyes, not filters for the front of telescopes. - [NASA: Eclipse safety](https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/safety/) · checked 2026-11-12 — Viewing the Sun through a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury. - [Live Science: DWARFLAB Dwarf Mini review](https://www.livescience.com/technology/dwarflab-dwarf-mini-smart-telescope-review) · checked 2026-11-12 — Live Science rated the Dwarf Mini's solar and lunar imaging excellent while calling its planetary images disappointing. - [BBC Sky at Night: Unistellar Odyssey Pro review](https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/reviews/unistellar-odyssey-pro) · checked 2026-11-12 — The Odyssey Pro's dust cap and optional solar filter are held on by magnets. ## Get new guides by e-mail One short e-mail when Smart Telescope Review publishes a new guide. No spam, no sharing your address, and you can unsubscribe in one click. E-mail address New posts only · Unsubscribe anytime · [Privacy](https://smarttelescopereview.com/privacy/) Our #1 pick Best for solar imaging: solar filter in the box, 50 mm aperture, about $999 ![ZWO Seestar S50 Pro Smart Telescope](https://smarttelescopereview.com/_astro/seestar-s50-pro.BOj1gADQ_21iw81.webp) ### [ZWO Seestar S50 Pro Smart Telescope](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/seestar-s50-pro/) 8.6 - 50 mm f/5.2 - 2.45° × 1.38° field - 6.2 lb - EQ mode - Dual-band filter Most buyers: the best all-round smart telescope for backyard deep-sky imaging, the Moon and the Sun at under $1,000, and the direct replacement for the discontinued Seestar S50. $$$$ Mid-range Price tier: Mid-range Amazon price, Nov 12, 2026 [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HP1RDLVP?tag=smarttelescopereview.com-20)[Read the full review](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/seestar-s50-pro/) [🎯 Not sure which fits? Match a smart telescope to your budget, sky and targets in 30 seconds.](https://smarttelescopereview.com/tools/telescope-matcher/)[🔭 What can it see? Check 56 targets against your sky and any scope.](https://smarttelescopereview.com/tools/sky-target-checker/) ## Keep reading [Filters ### The Best Filters for Smart Telescopes: Built-In, Dual-Band, Broadband and Solar Which filters your smart telescope already has, which add-on filters actually fit Seestar, Dwarf, Vespera and Origin, and when a dual-band filter is worth it. Updated Nov 12, 2026](https://smarttelescopereview.com/posts/best-filters-for-smart-telescopes/)[Beginners ### Best Smart Telescope for Beginners (2026): 5 Easy Picks and a First-Night Checklist The best smart telescopes for beginners in 2026: easy setup, filters and tripods in the box, forgiving apps and honest budgets, plus a first-night checklist. Updated Nov 12, 2026](https://smarttelescopereview.com/posts/best-smart-telescope-for-beginners/)[Explainer ### How Smart Telescopes Work: Plate Solving, Live Stacking and the Numbers That Matter How smart telescopes work: plate solving, GoTo, field rotation, live stacking, darks, dual-band filters and stretching, plus pixel scale and field of view math. Updated Nov 12, 2026](https://smarttelescopereview.com/posts/how-smart-telescopes-work/) Best for solar imaging: solar filter in the box, 50 mm aperture, about $999 Seestar S50 Pro $$$$ Mid-range Price tier: Mid-range [Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HP1RDLVP?tag=smarttelescopereview.com-20)