10 replies to this topic

[Special Ed]

Hey,

 

I don't think anyone on CN would do this but it might be good to pass this information around to newbie solar observers--and there will be a lot of them in 2024.  This video is from Explore Scientific for the 2017 TES but it still applies.  Start at about 1:30 to see the bad stuff.

 

https://www.youtube....L&index=2&t=24s

[Diana N]

That is terrifying!  You're right, most of us would know better than to put on a pair of eclipse glasses and then try to use them to look through an unfiltered telescope, but newbies may indeed try that.

 

In the months prior to the 2017 eclipse, there were lots of suppliers peddling eclipse filters/glasses of dubious safety on eBay and Amazon.  Point newbies to this link to find suppliers of SAFE, QUALITY solar filters and eclipse glasses:  https://eclipse.aas....s/solar-filters

Edited by Diana N, 15 March 2023 - 01:16 PM.

[nicknacknock]

It would be good to actually type what the issue is:

 

NEVER observe through a telescope without a filter ON THE ACTUAL TELESCOPE. Solar Eclipse glasses are useful only when you view the Sun directly, but CANNOT block concentrated sunlight that comes through a telescope.

[hdt]

During totality (and only during totality)--is it safe to remove the filter from the telescope aperture?

[Special Ed]

Yes, it's safe.  Just be ready to put it quickly back on before the end of totality--or else turn the scope away from the Sun until you can get it back on.

[foxwoodastronomy]

Let me try to summarize this discussion for those using a telescope for eclipse PHOTOGRAPHY and working at an effective focal length of 500mm to 1000mm.  Versus talking about VISUAL observing through magnifying gear.  Note: the use of capitalization below is just to be clear about the important distinctions, please do not consider the capitalization as being arrogant about the discussion.  It is meant for clarity.

 

For PHOTOGRAPHY it is safe for your equipment to remove your FRONT aperture solar filter 30 seconds before C2 to start imaging.  If you did not do it this early, you could not image the diamond ring.  After C3, for PHOTOGRAPHY, it is safe for your equipment to continue imaging for 30 seconds before you replace your solar filter.  If you did not continue to image for this long, you could not image the diamond ring again.

 

For VISUAL OBSERVING through ANY magnifying equipment, it is ONLY safe to look through the gear WITHOUT the FRONT aperture solar filter at the Corona during Full Totality.  Between the times of C2 and C3.

 

For any commercially available solar filter that blocks greater than 99% of the visible light, glass or film products, they are always placed in FRONT of the gear aperture, preventing the light from entering the optics.

 

Hope that helps, thanks.  Gordon

Edited by foxwoodastronomy, 04 May 2023 - 06:42 PM.

[Bigred77]

Wow, thats amazing

As a newbie, I dont think I would have thought about that, or that it would actually be possible to burn a hole like that

 

great info, and definitely deserving of a bump up in the forum as the day approaches

[Diana N]

Wow, thats amazing

As a newbie, I dont think I would have thought about that, or that it would actually be possible to burn a hole like that

 

great info, and definitely deserving of a bump up in the forum as the day approaches

That's the problem with not being a beginner any more - you forget what complete newbies don't know, and what they might try.

 

I agree this thread needs to be bumped up regularly as the big day approaches!

[jrussell]

Also spread the word as you talk to people about the eclipse.

[Bigred77]

Also spread the word as you talk to people about the eclipse.

 

 

exactly

makes me want to figure a way to show this video to people at our eclipse event site to make sure everyone knows

 

may have to just have it saved on my phone and show people

 

anyone know of a good document I could print out to hand to people as a warning or something.  Kinda would like something that looks more official than just something I type up

[marvyyk]

Nice little video, straight to the point. 

 

@Special Ed : thanks for having posted / shared it on CN