Solar Filter question

Erg · #1 01-09-2011, 11:46 AM

Hi

Is there anything special I should be doing to see the Sun with my new Solar Filter.

I took my C8 out, put my new Orion solar filter of the front, aligned it with Sol and saw nothing but black.

Double checked my finder was aligned (it was) tried again...black.

Drove the scope around the sky in a search pattern expecting to get a glimpse of something that would indicate I was close.

Not a hint of anything.

Erg

casstony · #2 01-09-2011, 12:21 PM

Assuming there are no covers on anywhere the most likely explanation is that the Sun never entered the field of view. It can be tricky lining up the scope unless you've got an accurate finder (and lowest power eyepiece). What type of finder are you using?

Merlin66 (Ken) · #3 01-09-2011, 12:35 PM

I fitted my 50mm finder with a small piece of Baader Solar Film. Now you just position the disk of the sun on the crosswire - and there it is!

Erg · #4 01-09-2011, 01:47 PM

Thx for the replies.

Finder is a GSO 8x50 with a diagonal end.
EP was a Wide Angle 20mm Meade
Solar Filter is a Orion 8inch
Scope is an old C8 SCT

No covers or caps - Check
Finder Aligned - Check
Sun in finder crosshairs - Check

After using my PST for a few months I was surprised I could miss it in an 8.

Erg

casstony · #5 01-09-2011, 03:56 PM

The C8 with 20mm wide angle (68 degree?) eyepiece only gives a field of view of about 0.68 degrees. A longer focal length eyepiece or focal reducer would help to widen the FOV.

Something else that might help to line things up is to check that the corrector cell is casting a shadow on the rear cell all the way around it's perimeter (assuming the optical axis and ota mechanical axis are the same).

Poita (Peter) · #6 01-09-2011, 04:42 PM

I take the visual back off and move around until I can see that some light is getting in.

asimov (John) · #7 01-09-2011, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poita

I take the visual back off and move around until I can see that some light is getting in.

That's how I do it

Erg · #8 02-09-2011, 09:16 AM

Thx to all for the tips. Its works now.

I did exactly what I did the day before and I could tell straight away it was going to work as even when not aligned it was far from black.

Left side as brightest..moved in that direction.

HELLO SOL!

Erg

asimov (John) · #9 02-09-2011, 11:27 AM

So, you've 'seen the light'

Good stuff