DwarfLab Dwarf mini - Observations of the Sun

Introduction | First Experiences with the Solar Mode | First Conclusions | Links

On this page, I describe my first experiences with my electronic refractor telescope DwarfLab Dwarf mini 30 mm/150 mm (f/5) when observing the sun.

Introduction

Photos: My Dwarf mini without a solar filter and twice with a solar filter and roughly pointing towards the sun.

Solar Filter


Solar Filter in the telescope box...		Closer look...

Solar filter in its plastic bag	Solar filter front side	Solar filter back side (magnetic material)

...

First Experiences with Observations of the Sun

Sun Spots from February 5, 2026

The sun finally came out that day, and I had time to observe it with the Dwarf mini telescope. A magnetic solar filter, included with the telescope (see photos above), is used for the observation.

However, nothing worked at first. My iPad found the Dwarf mini's network, but it was supposedly too weak, even though I was standing right next to it. Switching to STA mode did not help either, because our home network did not reach the terrace. Eventually, it did connect, and after some initial hiccups, I was finally able to observe the sun. First, the solar filter has to be attached, and then the telescope has to be manually aligned with the sun using a joystick, which I found rather fiddly. After that, everything went smoothly thanks to the app.

I stacked four sets of 20 images each and then processed the stack with Stellar Studio – but I could not see any improvement with the post-processing. Since all four results were very similar, I am only showing the last one.


Screenshot of the app when obserbing the sun		Comparison photo (The Sky Live)

Image of the sun as delivered by the telescope, 4th series		Ditto, post-processed with Stellar Studio

Ditto, section		Ditto, post-processed with Stellar Studio

Sun Spots from February 25, 2026

Not much to see, just a spot at the rim...


20 subs stacked		Ditto, post-processed with Stellar Studio

Sun Spots from March 1, 2026

A few more sun spots...


20 subs stacked		Ditto, post-processed with Stellar Studio

First Conclusions

Observations of the sun are easily conducted with the Dwarf mini and its solar filter. As with the Vesperas, however, I am somewhat disappointed of the low sharpness of the photos/sunspots. However, you first have to roughly align the telescope with the sun by hand to start the observation, of course, after the magnetic sun filter has already been attached.

Links

The Sky Live: theskylive.com
Dwarf Mini Smart Telescope – Review & Tutorial (Wido's Astroforum): astroforumspace.com/dwarf-mini-smart-telescope-review-tutorial/ - YouTube-Video dazu: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SoaQqLWR0s
Dwarf Mini im Test: Das Technik-Wunder und Spaßgerät für die Hosentasche (Dimitrios Georgomanos): www.blickohnegrenzen.de/2026/02/06/dwarf-mini-im-test-das-technik-wunder-und-spassgeraet-fuer-die-hosentasche (in German)
Dwarf mini documentation (DwarfLab): help.dwarflab.com/en/docs/dwarf-mini-smart-telescope
- DWARF mini User Manual: help.dwarflab.com/en/docs/DWARF-mini-Smart-Telescope-User-Manual
- Get to Know the Files Stored in DWARF mini: help.dwarflab.com/en/docs/help-doc
- DWARF mini Lighting Effects: help.dwarflab.com/en/docs/help-doc-mini-lighting-effects
- How to View DWARF mini Files Wirelessly Using a Computer: help.dwarflab.com/en/docs/help-doc-1
- FAQ & Troubleshooting Guide for DWARF Users: help.dwarflab.com/en/docs/help-doc-2
Mini Tripod with hydraulic Head (DwarfLab): dwarflab.com/products/tripod-for-dwarf-3 (shown for Dwarf 3)
The Tripod Setup and Usage (DwarfLab video): help.dwarflab.com/en/docs/tripod-setup-and-usage?product=dwarf-3 (shown for Dwarf 3)
DWARF mini EQ Mode Setup Guide (DwarfLab video): https://help.dwarflab.com/en/docs/dwarf-mini-equatorial-setup-guide?product=dwarf-mini
See also my page offering Astronomy Links.