Blocking Your Self From Sun Burn.

I understand that most of the prime viewing is done in the morning, cool & calm air, but still 2hrs. to 4hrs in direct sunlight I just can't do.

Guess for some reason it was something I didn't think about before diving head first into Solar Observing, but once my Lunt showed up I was pretty well committed to this part of the hobby, I'm looking forward to seeing something actually happening on a target vs. the same old Nebula, same old planet, same old Moon,,,,,,,,,,so I went all out cause if you do something half way and cheap then that's what you get.

Anyway that's how I got here, and to the topic, I can't sit in direct sunlight very long, so I had to come up with a solution other than coating myself in Sun Block or wearing long sleeves long pant's shoes & socks, and a broad brimmed hat in 80°F temperatures, I have to do that for Outreach but then I'm not pinned to the scope but get to stand aside in shade to monitor the visitors to my scope.

I've got this old Dodge that I restored for weekend camping, without having to find parking for a class A coach.

One thing I did want to do was devise some sort of awning for when I'm out, this idea came to my head while sorting out my emergency gear for the predicted Big earthquake in our area, for that event you'll need food, water, shelter and basic first aid.

I had an old Mil issue poncho but it was in less than good condition, on the drive to the surplus store to replace it, I started to think about using one for an awning for the Dodge, then it struck me that it could also be used as I have it set up on my Dodge as an awning and a sun block with the scope poking out the head hole, so now to get it in the proper position to work like that I'd need a second one to hang down,,,,,,

My Sun finder is near the front of the scope, I'm using an RA driven Sky Pro mount, I can stand in front of the shade and zero in on the sun reaching under the slack side of the poncho to the slow motion knobs for adjustment before getting started, then get under the shade and use my Hershel wedge white light filter on low mag to center the sun in my fov, then swap out to the Quark for the rest of my viewing time, and from what I understand using a Quark is also a test of patience, warm up and cool down waits after an adjustment.

So here's my solution, and set up there is no extra weight on the scope or mount with all the room they provide as the head hole, plus I can droop the hood over the scope to keep it protected from dust when not in use.

Still have one addition to make, a lower section to completely shield my feet, had sun burned feet once, never again.

And I know I posted this on another thread but in a way I was hijacking the topic so I started my own thread.

Edited by SloMoe, 01 October 2020 - 09:30 AM.

Daytime seeing is already bad, surrounding your objective with a heated surface will just make it worse.

Considering I have a few smoky sky months to get all the bugs worked out, and you have a valid point about heat close to the objective, I figure with H-alpha tight wave focusing just about any disturbance to the light could be dramatic, like I've read some threads about blurred views, can't reach focus, soft views and so forth,,,,and what are you viewing over, roadway, building.

This will keep the Quark out of direct sunlight so it will be cooler, and yes a Telegizmo sun screen on the ota keeps the Quark shaded and just your head when viewing,,, got one, need more shade for me.

I've seen towels draped around the front of tripods to shade the feet and large sun shades maybe with the hood area choked back down the ota to the mount, that might be enough,,,,, That's like at leas 10" back down the ota from the objective. 

Sometimes when you start with an idea like this it takes a few points of view expressed to help make it work, it's better than just sitting in the Sun waiting for the quark to equalized per adjustment, 

So maybe instead of being staked out in front it could be suspended vertical, or even angled back or to the side in a wedge shape with the tripod being the point.

What do other people use?

Lets see some sun shade idea's or products that are very portable.

Hey, whatever works for you, even thou your set up is bit too elaborate for me. I go by "Keep it simple and you will do it more often". To have brighter views (especially for Calcium K) and to protect myself from the Sun I use home made "Burka", which stays in my solar observing box. Basically it's a head cup with a black veil clipped to it in a semi circle pattern. On in 2 sec, off in 2 sec.

Here’s what I use.

Its light weight, made out of plasticized white cardboard , reflects better.
The 2 brackets that support it are thin aluminum with Velcro that attach to the shield and bolt to the side of the ring. The hole is just big enough to slide over the tube before the DS is I stalled, then I have 2 foam shims inserted when in place for a tight fit.

You can see the small hole for the finder to work.

Also my scope rings attach at the top and there is a small crack in both rings that act as a finder. Point at the sun and a thin ray shines through and I move the scope so it points at the middle of the focuser and it’s in the FOV, don’t really need the other.

Its very easy to install and puts my head , shoulders and legs in the shade, feet are still in the sun.

It does catch the wind but on those days it’s manageable or leave it off, most calm days I have a fan blowing on me to keep cool.

Wow, I really like these ideas.  

Summer hat and long sleeves has always  been my go-to for summer. 

 I am more concerned with  my wintertime viewing,  same beating sun with sub-zero temperatures.   How to deal with that is my concern.

Sounds like a Blocking Filter Heater and a pair of insulated carhartts 

 I am more concerned with  my wintertime viewing,  same beating sun with sub-zero temperatures.   How to deal with that is my concern.

SloMoe,

A fellow who worked where I did about 45 years ago was very sensitive to the sun.  He always returned from vacation or even some weekends looking like a freshly boiled lobster.  I have experienced some bad sunburns, but they were entirely my fault.  It sounds like you are extremely sensitive to sun, and subject to severe sunburn.

Your photo made me think of something I might try to do myself.  I drive a minivan with a roof rack.  I thought of getting a silver-colored tarp (or a white color tarp) with grommets on the edges, and tether one side to the roof rack's cross bars.  Then using tent poles as you have, make an awning that angles down just like yours.

A properly sized flap cut out around where your scope pokes through, with a hole in the middle for the scope to poke through might work.  This sounds more complex than what you already have though, and it might be beneficial to attach another larger piece of material over the sides and bottom edge of the flap to block light from bleeding through as you move the scope. 

And to proactively answer anyone's question, it is entirely possible that I could be an indirect descendant of Rube Goldberg...    

I don't mind wearing long slacks and sox in the summer, so that is not an issue for me.  But you might fashion a section of tarp that is supported on tall stakes pounded into the ground in front of your tripod so the tarp comes up far enough to shield your legs and feet.  I think a tarp attached to the tripod legs could be a disaster in the making if the wind kicks up though.  The downside of stakes is that you are not always going to be on a grassy or dirt surface.  Concrete and asphalt are hard to pound a stake into, and it would likely tick-off the property owner if you did so.

There may be another way of setting up a lower tarp, but I think it may be an exercise in frustration.  

SloMoe has a great point.  Taking the time to protect yourself against the effects of too much sun ensures you can enjoy this weird hobby.

We usually set up a 'family sunshade' (probably fit 10 - 12 chairs under it) to cover the table and laptop so that's where we hang out.  This model comes with a single wall which we normally spin to block wind, but if it is a very bright day we will face the wall towards the south.  It sort of looks like this.  I was also wearing my sunhat with a neck shade yesterday as well.

When we are imaging the tripod and long OTA kind of straddles the edge between light and shade (mostly due to the lengths of the power and USB cables).  

The visual scopes go out in sun.  I have a metal shade for the Coronado and a reflective tarp to use if I want to spend a longer time out in the sun. 

SloMoe,

 

A fellow who worked where I did about 45 years ago was very sensitive to the sun.  He always returned from vacation or even some weekends looking like a freshly boiled lobster.  I have experienced some bad sunburns, but they were entirely my fault.  It sounds like you are extremely sensitive to sun, and subject to severe sunburn.

 

Your photo made me think of something I might try to do myself.  I drive a minivan with a roof rack.  I thought of getting a silver-colored tarp (or a white color tarp) with grommets on the edges, and tether one side to the roof rack's cross bars.  Then using tent poles as you have, make an awning that angles down just like yours.

 

A properly sized flap cut out around where your scope pokes through, with a hole in the middle for the scope to poke through might work.  This sounds more complex than what you already have though, and it might be beneficial to attach another larger piece of material over the sides and bottom edge of the flap to block light from bleeding through as you move the scope. 

 

And to proactively answer anyone's question, it is entirely possible that I could be an indirect descendant of Rube Goldberg...    

 

I don't mind wearing long slacks and sox in the summer, so that is not an issue for me.  But you might fashion a section of tarp that is supported on tall stakes pounded into the ground in front of your tripod so the tarp comes up far enough to shield your legs and feet.  I think a tarp attached to the tripod legs could be a disaster in the making if the wind kicks up though.  The downside of stakes is that you are not always going to be on a grassy or dirt surface.  Concrete and asphalt are hard to pound a stake into, and it would likely tick-off the property owner if you did so.

 

There may be another way of setting up a lower tarp, but I think it may be an exercise in frustration.  

The Poncho already has a finished center hole, grommets on all corners, and doesn't stand out visually like a blue, silver, green palst tarps do.

During set up, it's easy, I have two marine eye bolts bedded and sealed in the side roof of the van, one corner has a hook and the other has a hook with a cinch line, clip the first corner then back to the rear cinch line, take the slack out, the tent poles have pins in the end so the out side grommets go on those pins, then the corners are tether'd out to stakes in the ground and cinch lines on those.

From that point then the second poncho snaps onto the first one and the end grommets drop over the pole pins and two more stakes & cinch lines, that's it,It's set up

Not complicated at all, it would be easy to tie to a roof rack and do the same thing., these ponchos are designed for military use so they are very compatible with each other, all the snaps line up and are male-female proper along all four sides.and very durable, more so than the plastic tarps.

We were cleaning out our garage this summer and came across our collection of pop up tents and that's what got me thinking about this, I was going to use one of the tents but having to cut a hole that would continue to tear or set flat, like the poncho does, it just made more since to use these, not that cheap, but they are protecting me.

btw, purchased a third one to snap along the bottom so my feet are covered from direct sunlight, with both sides of the shelter open for air flow it stay realitivly cool under there in 80°+ temps.

The Poncho already has a finished center hole, grommets on all corners, and doesn't stand out visually like a blue, silver, green palst tarps do.

During set up, it's easy, I have two marine eye bolts bedded and sealed in the side roof of the van, one corner has a hook and the other has a hook with a cinch line, clip the first corner then back to the rear cinch line, take the slack out, the tent poles have pins in the end so the out side grommets go on those pins, then the corners are tether'd out to stakes in the ground and cinch lines on those.

From that point then the second poncho snaps onto the first one and the end grommets drop over the pole pins and two more stakes & cinch lines, that's it,It's set up

 

Not complicated at all, it would be easy to tie to a roof rack and do the same thing., these ponchos are designed for military use so they are very compatible with each other, all the snaps line up and are male-female proper along all four sides.and very durable, more so than the plastic tarps.

 

We were cleaning out our garage this summer and came across our collection of pop up tents and that's what got me thinking about this, I was going to use one of the tents but having to cut a hole that would continue to tear or set flat, like the poncho does, it just made more since to use these, not that cheap, but they are protecting me.

 

btw, purchased a third one to snap along the bottom so my feet are covered from direct sunlight, with both sides of the shelter open for air flow it stay realitivly cool under there in 80°+ temps.

Sounds good.  My thoughts on the silver or white tarps were that the lighter colors would reflect the heat from sunlight.  I do have a  commercial grade, heavy duty 10-foot E-Z Up type canopy but that is a bit too heavy and klunky to lug around.  Not to mention if I am alone, the setup is definitely not a one person job.  

I will look into those ponchos.  If I get two, I might name them "Poncho and Lefty" in honor of Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson.  

Lord, I need to occupy my mind with other things!!!

And now, I was just wondering if I should get a mannequin head, put a wig and sunglasses on it, and mount it in the head hole/covering of the upper poncho?

Somebody PLEASE help me!!!     

I’m usually setting up in the front yard.  I wear a wide brimmed hat and drape a towel over it.  The towel covers what the hat doesn’t and provides a dark environment at the eyepiece.  The wide brim keeps the towel off my skin so I don’t sweat.  Long sleeves protect my arms.

Edited by Napp, 11 October 2020 - 03:07 PM.

 

And now, I was just wondering if I should get a mannequin head, put a wig and sunglasses on it, and mount it in the head hole/covering of the upper poncho?

 

 

Somebody PLEASE help me!!!     

if you find that help and it's not a medication, send them my way, I want an experienced threapsit, if they can fix you then the rest of us have a good chance.

I'll fund my astro hobby as his agent.

if you find that help and it's not a medication, send them my way, I want an experienced threapsit, if they can fix you then the rest of us have a good chance.

I'll fund my astro hobby as his agent.

So what about a picnic table umbrella?  We got one at Pier 1 (rip) that is made of canvas and very little light gets through.  Plus, it is light enough to easily move around the yard.  You can still utilize secondary screening below it.