Solar filter a success but I now have a problem.

Snibs · #1 14-09-2005, 08:33 PM

Evening all.
Well the solar filter built as per the instructions worked well, I went with the smaller hole on the front of the filter rather than the whole front. This however has shown a flaw somewhere that I think must be on the primary mirror but maybe someone can confirm this for me, the view of the sun is great but there are black marks in a small group that I'm sure are on the optics. rotating the filter while looking in ep does not move the marks or turning the ep while looking does not move the marks. The secondary mirror seems spotless, there is some small bits of dust on the primary but I cant see any marks that look like the marks seen through the ep at the sun. Looking at sky or clouds is fine, no sign of marks and stars are fine as well. The marks can be focused and blured which I feel is a clue for some reason but maybe not. What I am thinking is there is a mark on the primary that is to small to see from the end of the tube (is that what they call the OTA?) but magnified with sunlight only?? but if this were the case why does the dust not show up?.

My next step is cleaning the PM unless I'm doing or done something dumb that hopefully some kind member may point out to me. Thanks for reading and for any help.
Mick. (snibs)

wavelandscott (Scott) · #2 14-09-2005, 09:02 PM

Is it a solar flair or sun spots?

Check the picture to the left of the forums with a "picture" of the sun...

I am just guessing...

elusiver · #3 14-09-2005, 10:28 PM

DON'T CLEAN THE PM! cause i read somewhthat there has to be a fair chunk of dirt on there to hinder the optical performance. I'm guessign u'r seeing sunspots.. which is pretty much the main reason for sun obs'ing. Did they look kinda like these?

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...newpost&t=4012

el

Snibs · #4 15-09-2005, 06:40 AM

Hi all.
Yes the pictures here do look just like it and that was my first thought but when the cloud did come over lightly the sun dimmed right down but the spots stayed there, like a bit of much on a camera lense, is this normal? I shall go and have another look before I leave today and see if they have changed, part of these spots looks like two tadpoles swimming in a circle. Thankyou all and I hope you are right.

acropolite (Phil) · #5 15-09-2005, 08:11 AM

If the spots were on your mirror or EP they wouldn't be in focus, in fact I doubt that you would see them at all. Must be the dreaded sunspots....

ving (David) · #6 15-09-2005, 09:55 AM

yup, think they are supposed to be there

Snibs · #7 15-09-2005, 02:23 PM

I just figered it out... if the spots were on the focals would they not move across the sun when the scope was moved?....yes they would and no these dont they stay on the sun. Is there a prize for the dumbest one on the forum...pick me. On the up side I am blown away how these sunspots look in my scope, I never imagined it would be so good.
Thanks to all for helping.
Cheers from Mick.

ving (David) · #8 15-09-2005, 02:27 PM

no problem

and if you have a camera of any type just hold it up to the EP and you can take pics of the sunspots

davidpretorius · #9 15-09-2005, 03:52 PM

well done snips, at least you are amongst friends who won't remind you too often of this.

don't worry, i wanted to buy a IMHO that everyone was quoting until if i found out it was short hand for In My Honest Opinion!

[1ponders] (Paul) · #10 15-09-2005, 04:03 PM

Funny Dave I thought it meant In My Humble Opinion

But I guess that just me

RB (Andrew) · #11 15-09-2005, 04:17 PM

If you work at NASA, Paul, it's: "In My Hubble Opinion".

RB

davidpretorius · #12 15-09-2005, 04:17 PM

yup that too....bugga another boo boo by davo!

[1ponders] (Paul) · #13 15-09-2005, 04:22 PM

We won't remind you of it Dave

Snibs, sorry to go off topic.

vings idea is a good one. Grab an old, or new if you have one, digital camera and try to run off a few shots. Its great to be able to show people what you can see through your scope. You know the story...friends over for dinner...."Oh. I see you have a telescope. What can you see with it??" Blows them away when you can whip out a sunspot photo

Plus its great fun doing it anyway.

davidpretorius · #14 15-09-2005, 04:34 PM

yes there is so much interest in these sunspots at the moment, not just in our circles of forum guys!

h0ughy (David) · #15 15-09-2005, 05:11 PM

slightly off topic but very related to this topic in a roundabout way, I had an insect somehow get into the diagonal and the eyepiece base. it then promptly committed an unnatural act and kept circling the sun on the rim of the "view". drove me nuts until I could figure out where it was.

davidpretorius · #16 15-09-2005, 05:13 PM

houghy, thats really funny!