TheSkySearchers

I was unfortunate to get interested in solar during the minimum, so there were weeks without a single spot and my interest dwindled away.

However Mark's (Thefatkitty) recent report got me excited again.

viewtopic.php?f=69&t=20315&p=168034#p168034

So today morning I have dusted my visual solar setup and set it up on what passes here for lawn. Wow! Honey, you have to see this and bring the kids! Four groups AR2866, AR2868, AR2864 and AR2863. Whole family enjoyed the view even my wife's aunt which happened to be on the phone saw the spots.

OK, you can't just post a couple of pics like that and not explain that awesome projection screen setup! That is TOO cool!

Glad I could help out Andrey, and glad you got some clear skies to see that! Way to get the family involved; and that's a great set-up!

I remember I bought my Baader solar film just a few months before the August 2018 eclipse. After that, it pretty much lived in a tupperware container for the past three years

Hopefully we have the next 11 years coming up with Solar Cycle 25...

All the best,

Good stuff Andrey !
Puts me in mind to dust off my solar eclipse rig.

Thank you for the encouragement.

Now I need to check out Mark's post again.

AstroBee wrote: ↑Tue Sep 07, 2021 9:33 pm OK, you can't just post a couple of pics like that and not explain that awesome projection screen setup! That is TOO cool!

I was lucky to pick the 8mm projector screen on eBay. My understanding that long time ago one could attach it to the 8mm film projector and watch home movies. The little plastic box has built-in mirror diagonal and a lens. I adapted it's barrel to fit 1.25" extension tube and just by luck when image comes in focus with my 80ST scope, solar disk fits perfectly the screen. I stop down the scope to 50mm, otherwise the image is too bright.

That is so cool. I wonder if I could rig that up to work with my Ha scope? I'm guessing it would work even to project the moon?

AstroBee wrote: ↑Tue Sep 07, 2021 10:16 pm That is so cool. I wonder if I could rig that up to work with my Ha scope? I'm guessing it would work even to project the moon?

Thanks! Yes, should work with anything bright enough.

That is nothing if not the coolest thing on the planet. Kudos for the adaptation. Thanks much!!!

Clear Skies

Lowjiber wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:11 pm That is nothing if not the coolest thing on the planet. Kudos for the adaptation. Thanks much!!!

Clear Skies

Thanks John! To give the credit where due I did not come out with the idea. In preparation for Mercury transit I was googling DIY sun projection screens and most of the designs left me cold, until I stumbled on CN on the 8mm projection screen setup. It was a love from the first sight. I searched on eBay and there was one on sale. Sign from heaven or what!

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 8:04 pm I searched on eBay and there was one on sale.

i found one on eBay too but the want $39.99 for it.

AstroBee wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:35 pm

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 8:04 pm I searched on eBay and there was one on sale.

i found one on eBay too but the want $39.99 for it.

A bit steep. I would wait, looks like they come out from time to time. Unless they are been purchased by solar heads which draw the price up.

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Tue Sep 07, 2021 10:13 pm

AstroBee wrote: ↑Tue Sep 07, 2021 9:33 pm OK, you can't just post a couple of pics like that and not explain that awesome projection screen setup! That is TOO cool!

I was lucky to pick the 8mm projector screen on eBay. My understanding that long time ago one could attach it to the 8mm film projector and watch home movies. The little plastic box has built-in mirror diagonal and a lens. I adapted it's barrel to fit 1.25" extension tube and just by luck when image comes in focus with my 80ST scope, solar disk fits perfectly the screen. I stop down the scope to 50mm, otherwise the image is too bright.

8mm a.jpg

8mm b.jpg

8mm c.jpg

8mm d.jpg

nice toy, very niche, I love it!

Awesome tinkering and pics...

One of the astro magazines had a DIY article for a rear-projection screen using some kind of fabric in a embroidery hoop (?). Not as cool, but probably under $20 all in.