ozzy9039
sage
Reged: 11/12/07
Posts: 225
Loc: Tampa,, Fl.
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I've been wanting to do some solar observing with my ETX60 (yes I have a solar filter  )...is there a way to have it track the sun? I looked through the manual...but nothing sprung into view. Any ideas?
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"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction."
---Albert Einstein---
http://www.wix.com/ozzy9039/The-Ozvatory
-Orion XT8i-
-Orion 80ST (On CG4 EQ)
-Home Made 60mm Refractor (In The Works)
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nytecam
Postmaster
Reged: 08/20/05
Posts: 5749
Loc: London UK
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Quote:
I've been wanting to do some solar observing with my ETX60 (yes I have a solar filter )...is there a way to have it track the sun? I looked through the manual...but nothing sprung into view. Any ideas?
I think the handbox warns if the scope tries to point near the sun whilst searching for Venus, for example, but can be overridden. Assuming the scope is setup [point due north and level] and you fake the 2-star align [say ok] then aim, via the buttons, the scope at the sun - it'll then track fine. Enjoy your safe solar viewing - hope some spots start appearing for the new solar cycle like this from the last cycle 
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Nytecam 51N 0.1W
Meade 30cm LX200+ETX-70+e-finder+C8+Ha+CaK PSTs SBIG SGS+homebuilt spectrographs
Starlight SXVF_M9+Lodestar CCDs/Canon 300D DSLR/Fuji E550
My observatory build-ETX-70 imaging-my videos
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dirkdentry
member
Reged: 12/10/07
Posts: 95
Loc: Jackson, TN
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Hi! I'm using an ETX80 with a solar filter, NY is right, just fake alignment and then scope will track the sun if left alone. I saw somewhere (probably CN solar forum) the info to add to your Autostar to make a 'User-Defined Asteriod" - called THE SUN ! then its an object in list to slew to, but i've yet to attempt! I've really enjoyed my ETX during the day... but like all of Astronomy, couple hours with that solar filter and you'll want a solar scope... or maybe thats just ME.... and him.... and him.... hahaha.... good luck !!!!
Lee
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8" Meade Starfinder (still on dob mount - for now)
Meade ETX 80
Canon Rebel 300D DSLR
FINE! West Tennessee Weather .... humidity sucks!
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GUNER
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/19/04
Posts: 1614
Loc: Bedminster,NJ USA
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I have my PST on a DSX-2000 mount with a 497 controller. I added the Sun/Asteriod that Lee talked about & it works great. I'll post what you need to add but I have to find it first.
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Thomas
17mm ETHOS NEAF Door Prize
THANK-YOU TELEVUE!!!!
12" SuperCharged LX-200 GPS
TAK SKY 90 on a Vixen Skypod
Stacked GOLD!PST/EXT-70AT/DSX-125
Infinity 2-1 CCD Camera with Lucam Recorder
Custom Scientific 1.25" LRGB filters
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ozzy9039
sage
Reged: 11/12/07
Posts: 225
Loc: Tampa,, Fl.
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In regards to "Faking the allignment" won't it know that the stars you say are there are not? I know my 8SE would say "Fail" more than likely...unless I chose perhapse a 1 star allignment... I will give it a try when I have a clear day...hopefully tommorow.
and as dirkdentry says... I would like one, but I find solar filters to be easier on the wallet than the scope would be. I wish they would make one a little more economically priced.
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"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction."
---Albert Einstein---
http://www.wix.com/ozzy9039/The-Ozvatory
-Orion XT8i-
-Orion 80ST (On CG4 EQ)
-Home Made 60mm Refractor (In The Works)
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GUNER
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/19/04
Posts: 1614
Loc: Bedminster,NJ USA
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Ozzy:
When I use mine it works fine. I wouldn't actually call it a "fake" alignment. When you put in the date & time it will goto alignment stars that are actually out at that time you just can't see them. The "fake" part comes in where you don't actually center the star you just hit enter & goto the second star. When it stops you hit enter. Mine has always accepted this 2-"star" alignment. Then I call up the Sun/Asteroid & hit GOTO. The Sun is then at worse in the finder on my PST. It is usually in the field of my EP.
From my understanding the data you put into the controller makes it think it's tracking an Asteroid that is orbiting the Sun directly opposite the Earth.
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Thomas
17mm ETHOS NEAF Door Prize
THANK-YOU TELEVUE!!!!
12" SuperCharged LX-200 GPS
TAK SKY 90 on a Vixen Skypod
Stacked GOLD!PST/EXT-70AT/DSX-125
Infinity 2-1 CCD Camera with Lucam Recorder
Custom Scientific 1.25" LRGB filters
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ozzy9039
sage
Reged: 11/12/07
Posts: 225
Loc: Tampa,, Fl.
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Ok, I'll give it a try... I have yet to see the sun throught the ETX. I used to use a 4.5 Newtonian primarily for sun observing, so I'm interested in seeing how it will look through a refractor. 
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"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction."
---Albert Einstein---
http://www.wix.com/ozzy9039/The-Ozvatory
-Orion XT8i-
-Orion 80ST (On CG4 EQ)
-Home Made 60mm Refractor (In The Works)
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radsdad
super member
Reged: 11/05/06
Posts: 116
Loc: Southern California
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I've been planning on using my ETX-60 for solar observing as well. What solar filters are you guys using? I've heard that going with one of the inexpensive, shows the sun as white, filters with a yellow filter screwed to the eyepiece gives some pretty good views. Anyone tried that?
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Meade ETX-125AT UHTC and ETX-60AT
Zhumell 20x80 Supergiant Binoculars
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ozzy9039
sage
Reged: 11/12/07
Posts: 225
Loc: Tampa,, Fl.
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I usually use the glass ones, but I picked up a black polymer one... haven't used it yet though. I am not a fan of the eyepiece screw on ones because it leaves your optics and coatings to the mercy of the sun.
--------------------
"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction."
---Albert Einstein---
http://www.wix.com/ozzy9039/The-Ozvatory
-Orion XT8i-
-Orion 80ST (On CG4 EQ)
-Home Made 60mm Refractor (In The Works)
|
radsdad
super member
Reged: 11/05/06
Posts: 116
Loc: Southern California
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I was referring to a yellow filter at the eyepiece and a solar filter over the main lens. In that way the white image is turn into a more natural looking yellow. But I haven't actually tried it myself.
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Meade ETX-125AT UHTC and ETX-60AT
Zhumell 20x80 Supergiant Binoculars
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nytecam
Postmaster
Reged: 08/20/05
Posts: 5749
Loc: London UK
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Quote:
I usually use the glass ones, but I picked up a black polymer one... haven't used it yet though. I am not a fan of the eyepiece screw on ones because it leaves your optics and coatings to the mercy of the sun.
Under no circumstances should a solar filter be used on the eyepiece ALONE 
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Nytecam 51N 0.1W
Meade 30cm LX200+ETX-70+e-finder+C8+Ha+CaK PSTs SBIG SGS+homebuilt spectrographs
Starlight SXVF_M9+Lodestar CCDs/Canon 300D DSLR/Fuji E550
My observatory build-ETX-70 imaging-my videos
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dirkdentry
member
Reged: 12/10/07
Posts: 95
Loc: Jackson, TN
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I got my solar filter from this place. Its cheap and a fun start!
http://store.rainbowsymphonystore.com/solar-filters.html
JUST REMEMBER!!! The dia. advertised is the OUTER DIAMETER - ie. my 80mm ETX uses the 101mm size filter...
good viewing! DURING the DAY now !!!
Lee
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8" Meade Starfinder (still on dob mount - for now)
Meade ETX 80
Canon Rebel 300D DSLR
FINE! West Tennessee Weather .... humidity sucks!
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GUNER
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/19/04
Posts: 1614
Loc: Bedminster,NJ USA
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Hi All,
I found that data that I used with my 497 controller to GOTO the Sun. This goes without saying but here it is anyway: Don't use this on a scope unless you have it fitted with a proper solar filter. It would only take a second to ruin your scope let alone what it could do to your eyes!
Name: Sun
epoch: 1.5 jan 2000
eccentricity: 0.016710
semi major axis: 1
inclination: -0.0001
long asc node: 168.7394
arg of peri: 114.2078
mean anomaly: 357.5172
abs mag: -12
mag slope: 0
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Thomas
17mm ETHOS NEAF Door Prize
THANK-YOU TELEVUE!!!!
12" SuperCharged LX-200 GPS
TAK SKY 90 on a Vixen Skypod
Stacked GOLD!PST/EXT-70AT/DSX-125
Infinity 2-1 CCD Camera with Lucam Recorder
Custom Scientific 1.25" LRGB filters
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ozzy9039
sage
Reged: 11/12/07
Posts: 225
Loc: Tampa,, Fl.
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I am using the same filter from the rainbow symphony store. And I faked the allignment with the 1 star and walla! it worked great...unfortunately, no sunspots today  .
--------------------
"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction."
---Albert Einstein---
http://www.wix.com/ozzy9039/The-Ozvatory
-Orion XT8i-
-Orion 80ST (On CG4 EQ)
-Home Made 60mm Refractor (In The Works)
|
radsdad
super member
Reged: 11/05/06
Posts: 116
Loc: Southern California
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Looks like with that filter you see the sun as a natural yellow, correct? ozzy9039, which size filter, from rainbow, are you using on your ETX-60? How well does it fit?
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Meade ETX-125AT UHTC and ETX-60AT
Zhumell 20x80 Supergiant Binoculars
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