Re: [ATM] Advice on Solar scopes/observation

[Anthony Stillman <atmer@flash.net>]

Paul,

If you want to use existing equipment and/or want to
use the equiptment for other purposes, I suggest you
use a full aperture filter.  If you intend to have a
dedicated scope then I suggest uncoated optics. 
You'll need three bare glass surface reflections to
get the light level down to safe.  That means an
uncoated primary, an uncoated preferably wedged
secondary, and likewise tertiary.  Since the '70s
there's been a design floating around that has been
seen a lot.  It calls for a 45 degree angle mounted
full aperture piece of partially aluminized plate
glass over the front end of the scope.  It acts as a
light filter, the secondary, and as a sort of safety
in than if it breaks no light will get to the
eyepiece.  I prefer all un-coated optics.

Though I've never done this, many of the solar scopes
I've seen, or been inside, have insulated tubes.  In
my opinion it doesn't make much since if the full flux
is ever in the tube, but if there's a Baader filter on
the front, it is a good idea.

Good luck.  I suggest you check the archive again and
the net some more (web ring).  A lot of people have
done this.

Anthony 


--- PaulG <guardian@reaper.org> wrote:

> Hello!
> 
> I'm looking for somebody who's feeling helpful and
> preferably who has experience building a scope with
> the specific intention of observing the sun, or
> modifying existing equipment for solar observation.
> I'm hoping to build a 6" with a dedicated purpose
> and there seem to be a few options available.
> 
> If said person(s) could contact me off list I'd
> really appreciate it! This isnt something I can
> afford to get wrong!
> 
> -Paul
> _______________________________________________
> ATM mailing list http://www.atmlist.net/
> 

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