14 replies to this topic

[DHurst]

Remember no magnified finder scopes!  Especially around kids.

Just take them off.  Use the shadow method to align.

 

[ant888nsmb2]

Is it a good idea to remove red-dot finderscopes too?

Edited by ant888nsmb2, 08 April 2024 - 04:35 AM.

[Tony Flanders]

Is it a good idea to remove red-dot finderscopes too?

Probably. At best they're useless.

[jcj380]

I plugged a 6x30 finder into a cardboard box for my DIY projection viewer.  It might actually work ok.  If not, there's always YouTube replays.  

[sevenofnine]

RDF's can be converted to solar finders. I use an old brass Sun filter glued into the objective end of the finder. Works great! You can even see the red dot against the brightness of the Sun. Real solar finders are pretty cheap though 

 

https://www.svbony.c...r-finder-scope/.

[Nankins]

The solar telescope I used is on a Heliofinder mount.  Has a sensor instead of a finder.  And I used the SOL finder that belongs with the solar telescope to confirm that the telescope was pointed in the right spot.  So helpful, and no looking at the sun required.  Though I did use my binoculars to look at the Sun's prominences and corona during totality.  That was cool. 

[tatmanblue]

Probably. At best they're useless.

I can confirm.   I tried a red dot with welder glass placed in front (the glass for just in case)....useless to try.

I really had a hard time getting the sun aligned into the scope today.  I almost gave up :/

[Neptunus Rex]

I used the shadow method and a low power eyepiece. Decided to get out the scope a hour before first contact because of clouds.

And sure enough, clouds moved out at last contact. Lucky they were only light clouds. Had a great view.

Now since the scope is still out and no clouds in the sky, some real viewing!

[abe]

I can confirm.   I tried a red dot with welder glass placed in front (the glass for just in case)....useless to try.

I really had a hard time getting the sun aligned into the scope today.  I almost gave up :/

The method that I use...
Take the eyepiece out of the diagonal and watch for the reflection of the sun image in the diagonal.  As you move the scope around using the shadow method, you'll likely see an internal reflection or two that tells you that you're getting close. Once the sun appears in the prism surface in the diagonal, replace the eyepiece and recenter and focus.

[starfinder123123]

I really had a hard time getting the sun aligned into the scope today.  I almost gave up :/

This was me today. I usually find it easily but today I had a 90 middle schoolers around me and it was so hard to find it.

I finally took off the filter, pulled out a diagonal and pointed telescope to the sun. When I saw a hole in the shadow formed by the sun going through my telescope I locked it down and it was game on. The telescope is refractor. 

[*skyguy*]

Is it a good idea to remove red-dot finderscopes too?

These might be 1X power finder-scopes, but when I forget to remove it during a daytime sun session, the plastic around the reticle melted and pretty much destroyed it.

[csa/montana]

Moved to Solar Eclipse forum.

[Neptunus Rex]

This was me today. I usually find it easily but today I had a 90 middle schoolers around me and it was so hard to find it.
I finally took off the filter, pulled out a diagonal and pointed telescope to the sun. When I saw a hole in the shadow formed by the sun going through my telescope I locked it down and it was game on. The telescope is refractor.

I did that for the 2017 partial, but with high school grades. I set up before the students came out.

[woodswalker88]

I was in Erie...it was cloudy right up till the eclipse started. still a lot of clouds in the sky. When totality came I expected it would look like night, but it only got as dark as twilight. I'm wondering if that was because of all the clouds in the sky? Maybe they were capturing some of the ambient light from surrounding areas?

[David L]

I was in Erie...it was cloudy right up till the eclipse started. still a lot of clouds in the sky. When totality came I expected it would look like night, but it only got as dark as twilight. I'm wondering if that was because of all the clouds in the sky? Maybe they were capturing some of the ambient light from surrounding areas?

Given how bright the corona was, and that the shadow is not all that large, twilight is about as dark as it is going to get.  I did see Jupiter and Venus come out.  All around during totality there is the golden glow from all the areas that are not total.  What a sight it was.  I was in southern Illinois near Oraville.  And just like that, it was over.  The diamond ring flash was blinding....