Beginning Solar?

Discuss solar related topics.
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Beginning Solar?

#1

Post by GCoyote »


Okay, I have three small Franken-Scopes I've put together from 2nd hand shops and Amazon spare parts. All gathering DUST!

What I'm looking for is a good simple set up to do solar projected images from a standard refractor.
YouTube seems to have a lot of excessively chatty vids short on practical how to information for a beginner.

Tips, recommendations, and advice please?
Any metaphor will tear if stretched over too much reality.
Gary C

Celestron Astro Master 130mm f5 Newtonian GEM
Meade 114-EQ-DH f7.9 Newtonian w/ manual GEM
Bushnell 90mm f13.9 Catadioptric
Gskyer 80mm f5 Alt/Az refractor
Jason 10x50 Binoculars
Celestron 7x50 Binoculars
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(And a bunch of stuff I'm still trying to fix or find parts for.)
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Re: Beginning Solar?

#2

Post by Lady Fraktor »


There is a sun funnel that you can build, a few people here use them.
Bigzmey uses a version that has a screen to view with.
There is also projecting the light onto a white board/ card located behind the focuser.
Best resolution is with Baader solar film though.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
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Re: Beginning Solar?

#3

Post by Altocumulus »


Just call me Geoff....

I do what I do because I can, and because I want to.
It doesn't mean I know what I'm doing :mrgreen:
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Re: Beginning Solar?

#4

Post by GCoyote »


Thanks downloaded for tonight's reading.
Any metaphor will tear if stretched over too much reality.
Gary C

Celestron Astro Master 130mm f5 Newtonian GEM
Meade 114-EQ-DH f7.9 Newtonian w/ manual GEM
Bushnell 90mm f13.9 Catadioptric
Gskyer 80mm f5 Alt/Az refractor
Jason 10x50 Binoculars
Celestron 7x50 Binoculars
Svbony 2.1x42 Binoculars
(And a bunch of stuff I'm still trying to fix or find parts for.)
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Re: Beginning Solar?

#5

Post by Lowjiber »


The sun is just starting to come out from another eleven-year solar minimum cycle. Expect sunspot activity to increase over the coming year. Here's a link to where you can get current sunspot information...
https://www.spaceweather.com/

I agree with Gabby, Baader makes the best solar film.

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Re: Beginning Solar?

#6

Post by GCoyote »


Thanks. That's actually why I started thinking about solar observing. I started sharing spaceweather.com years ago in response to repeated media hysteria over the latest CME that was going to be TEOTWAWKI (cue REM). There are some recent posts in the Discussion sections about NASA and ESA solar probes conducting joint investigations and that got me thinking.
Any metaphor will tear if stretched over too much reality.
Gary C

Celestron Astro Master 130mm f5 Newtonian GEM
Meade 114-EQ-DH f7.9 Newtonian w/ manual GEM
Bushnell 90mm f13.9 Catadioptric
Gskyer 80mm f5 Alt/Az refractor
Jason 10x50 Binoculars
Celestron 7x50 Binoculars
Svbony 2.1x42 Binoculars
(And a bunch of stuff I'm still trying to fix or find parts for.)
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Re: Beginning Solar?

#7

Post by Baurice »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2020 4:29 pm There is a sun funnel that you can build, a few people here use them.
Bigzmey uses a version that has a screen to view with.
There is also projecting the light onto a white board/ card located behind the focuser.
Best resolution is with Baader solar film though.
Totally agree. I eve use Baader solar film on my binoculars.
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Re: Beginning Solar?

#8

Post by GCoyote »


Progress! I was at Harbor Freight getting a couple pair of cheap scissors for the upcoming gardening season and I remembered to grab the funnel for this project. I'm going to have to start putting my parts in separate numbered boxes so I know which project I got each one for.
Any metaphor will tear if stretched over too much reality.
Gary C

Celestron Astro Master 130mm f5 Newtonian GEM
Meade 114-EQ-DH f7.9 Newtonian w/ manual GEM
Bushnell 90mm f13.9 Catadioptric
Gskyer 80mm f5 Alt/Az refractor
Jason 10x50 Binoculars
Celestron 7x50 Binoculars
Svbony 2.1x42 Binoculars
(And a bunch of stuff I'm still trying to fix or find parts for.)
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Re: Beginning Solar?

#9

Post by GCoyote »


Quick (probably stupid) question, instead of covering/removing my 6x30 finder, why not just flip it wrong-way-around in the rings? That should be safe, right?
Any metaphor will tear if stretched over too much reality.
Gary C

Celestron Astro Master 130mm f5 Newtonian GEM
Meade 114-EQ-DH f7.9 Newtonian w/ manual GEM
Bushnell 90mm f13.9 Catadioptric
Gskyer 80mm f5 Alt/Az refractor
Jason 10x50 Binoculars
Celestron 7x50 Binoculars
Svbony 2.1x42 Binoculars
(And a bunch of stuff I'm still trying to fix or find parts for.)
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Re: Beginning Solar?

#10

Post by notFritzArgelander »


GCoyote wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2020 5:07 pm Quick (probably stupid) question, instead of covering/removing my 6x30 finder, why not just flip it wrong-way-around in the rings? That should be safe, right?
I'd cover or remove rather than take a chance.
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
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Re: Beginning Solar?

#11

Post by Lady Fraktor »


notFritzArgelander wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2020 5:10 pm
GCoyote wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2020 5:07 pm Quick (probably stupid) question, instead of covering/removing my 6x30 finder, why not just flip it wrong-way-around in the rings? That should be safe, right?
I'd cover or remove rather than take a chance.
I agree, the number one consideration when doing solar observing is safety.
Cover or remove the finder instead of leaving it on.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
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Re: Beginning Solar?

#12

Post by Lowjiber »


Add my vote for removing the finder.
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Re: Beginning Solar?

#13

Post by Dragonsfire »


GCoyote wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2020 5:07 pm Quick (probably stupid) question, instead of covering/removing my 6x30 finder, why not just flip it wrong-way-around in the rings? That should be safe, right?
I just keep the caps on my finder and use the shadow cast from the finder to line up.
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Re: Beginning Solar?

#14

Post by smp »


It's pretty inexpensive to slip your nighttime finder out of its mount, and slide in a Sun finder, like this:



That's what I do.

smp
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Re: Beginning Solar?

#15

Post by GCoyote »


smp wrote: Fri Feb 28, 2020 6:07 pm It's pretty inexpensive to slip your nighttime finder out of its mount, and slide in a Sun finder, like this:



That's what I do.

smp
I'm pretty sure I can make one of those from materials on hand.
Add one more project to the list!
Any metaphor will tear if stretched over too much reality.
Gary C

Celestron Astro Master 130mm f5 Newtonian GEM
Meade 114-EQ-DH f7.9 Newtonian w/ manual GEM
Bushnell 90mm f13.9 Catadioptric
Gskyer 80mm f5 Alt/Az refractor
Jason 10x50 Binoculars
Celestron 7x50 Binoculars
Svbony 2.1x42 Binoculars
(And a bunch of stuff I'm still trying to fix or find parts for.)
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Re: Beginning Solar?

#16

Post by GCoyote »


Of course after I posted that, I went to finish repairing the Nat Geo refractor you folks have been helping me with in the DIY section. it just so happens that has a non-magnifying red-dot finder. Problem solved. :D
Any metaphor will tear if stretched over too much reality.
Gary C

Celestron Astro Master 130mm f5 Newtonian GEM
Meade 114-EQ-DH f7.9 Newtonian w/ manual GEM
Bushnell 90mm f13.9 Catadioptric
Gskyer 80mm f5 Alt/Az refractor
Jason 10x50 Binoculars
Celestron 7x50 Binoculars
Svbony 2.1x42 Binoculars
(And a bunch of stuff I'm still trying to fix or find parts for.)
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Re: Beginning Solar?

#17

Post by bladekeeper »


GCoyote wrote: Fri Feb 28, 2020 8:21 pmI'm pretty sure I can make one of those from materials on hand.
Add one more project to the list!
Here is what I did: http://www.astronomyforum.net/solar-vie ... inder.html :)
Bryan
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Re: Beginning Solar?

#18

Post by GCoyote »


Simple, solid, and off the shelf. I like it.
Any metaphor will tear if stretched over too much reality.
Gary C

Celestron Astro Master 130mm f5 Newtonian GEM
Meade 114-EQ-DH f7.9 Newtonian w/ manual GEM
Bushnell 90mm f13.9 Catadioptric
Gskyer 80mm f5 Alt/Az refractor
Jason 10x50 Binoculars
Celestron 7x50 Binoculars
Svbony 2.1x42 Binoculars
(And a bunch of stuff I'm still trying to fix or find parts for.)
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Re: Beginning Solar?

#19

Post by GCoyote »


Next question, prism or mirror? It seems like a mirror diagonal would shed heat more readily but I figure it can't hurt to ask the experts.
Any metaphor will tear if stretched over too much reality.
Gary C

Celestron Astro Master 130mm f5 Newtonian GEM
Meade 114-EQ-DH f7.9 Newtonian w/ manual GEM
Bushnell 90mm f13.9 Catadioptric
Gskyer 80mm f5 Alt/Az refractor
Jason 10x50 Binoculars
Celestron 7x50 Binoculars
Svbony 2.1x42 Binoculars
(And a bunch of stuff I'm still trying to fix or find parts for.)
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Re: Beginning Solar?

#20

Post by Lady Fraktor »


It makes no difference, I mainly use my Herschel wedge which is a prism but use a regular mirror when using film filters.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
The only culture I have is from yogurt
My day was going well until... people
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