Aurel Clarion broadband filter 31 mm, observatory grade

Specifications

Description

The Clarion broadband filter is an unmounted 31 mm round light-pollution filter for filter wheels and filter drawers. It blocks the main emission lines of sodium and mercury street lighting while passing the blue, green, and red light where stars, galaxies, and reflection nebulae shine.

In imaging, the filter reduces the uneven, orange-tinted background that artificial lighting adds to long exposures. That simplifies gradient removal and color balance in processing, especially for images taken from suburban sites.

A broadband filter keeps star colors close to natural, which makes it suitable for galaxies, star clusters, and reflection nebulae where narrowband filters would block most of the light. It also works with one-shot color cameras behind refractors and Newtonians.

Modern white LED street lighting emits across the visible spectrum, and broadband filters remove less of it. Under LED lighting, expect a smaller improvement than under sodium lighting.

The 31 mm size fits filter wheels designed for 1.25 in equivalent unmounted filters and covers smaller camera sensors. Check the clear aperture of your filter wheel and the size of your sensor before you choose this size.

The glass has a multi-layer interference coating on one side and an anti-reflection coating on the other. Handle it by the edges and store it in its case, since unmounted glass edges can chip.

The Clarion broadband filter suits imagers who capture galaxies and star clusters from suburban sites and want to reduce the effect of older street lighting on their images.

About this configuration

This listing covers one configuration of the Aurel Clarion broadband filter 31 mm, defined by its grade, coating, case, and edition year. The observatory grade comes with a measured transmission curve for the individual filter in the box. Observatory grade glass has the tightest flatness tolerance in the Clarion line, which suits imaging with long focal lengths. With anti-reflection layers on both sides, less light bounces between the filter and the eyepiece or camera sensor.

The padded pouch protects the filter from knocks and fits in a jacket pocket at the telescope. The 2023 edition uses the same coating design as later years, with small differences in the cell markings. The transmission figures in the specifications apply to every configuration of the Clarion line.

What's in the box

• Broadband filter, unmounted 31 mm round
• Plastic storage case
• Test report with measured transmission curve
• Padded pouch

Compatibility notes

• Fits filter wheels and holders that accept 31 mm unmounted filters.
• Covers sensors up to about 4/3 in size in typical filter wheel spacing.
• Most effective against sodium and mercury lighting.