Mercury Transit ?

vindictive666 (John) · #1 15-10-2006, 07:50 AM

morning all

just a question for the all knowing

The Transit of Mercury on the 8th of november Any good for us in Oz ?

tnx

iceman (Mike) · #2 15-10-2006, 08:10 AM

GREAT for us in Oz! We get the whole thing on the east, in the west I think you only get the latter half of it when the sun rises over there.

btw it's the 9th November - the 8th November is in UT but translates to the 9th in our great land.

There's another thread discussing it somewhere, i'll find it later

[1ponders] (Paul) · #3 15-10-2006, 08:40 AM

Check out the Events Calendar link at the left. There is a full list for all capitals of start/visibility times.

JohnG (John) · #4 15-10-2006, 10:09 AM

Sorry Guy's

I think this tread should also contain a warning:

DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN THROUGH ANY OPTICAL DEVICE WITHOUT A PROPER FULL APERTURE SUN FILTER.

INSTANT AND PERMANENT BLINDNESS CAN OCCURE.

I appreciate that most people using this Forum will know what is required, but, you don't know who is browsing.

Cheers

JohnG

[1ponders] (Paul) · #5 15-10-2006, 10:22 AM

Good point John!

h0ughy (David) · #6 15-10-2006, 10:25 AM

geez I was blinded by john's response!

very true here is the link to the other thread with info in http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ercury+transit

[1ponders] (Paul) · #7 15-10-2006, 10:29 AM

For those after filters, I know that Steve from Myastroshop has just received a batch of full aperture JMB filters and AOE has sheets of Baader solar film in A4 and A3 sizes. Steve may have the film as will.

JohnG (John) · #8 15-10-2006, 10:33 AM

Sorry David

It was meant to stand out, you only get one set of eye's.

Also, don't forget Finderscopes, keep them covered.

Cheers

JohnG

[1ponders] (Paul) · #9 15-10-2006, 10:40 AM

FWIW an A4 sheet of Baader will make filters for 100mm refractor, set of 10x50 binos, 8x50 finderscope and 6x30 finderscope, at least. It costs $45 + delivery (~$6 ) so there really is no excuse. The film also comes with directions for constructing the filter frame out of cardboard, or else there is Iceman's how to here.

matt · #10 15-10-2006, 11:20 AM

Anyone know where I can buy a filter for the 9.25????

[1ponders] (Paul) · #11 15-10-2006, 11:50 AM

Try the Baader film Matt. It doesn't need to be full aperture. To go for a glass filter you are probably looking at around $250 and you might have to get one for a 10" and then pack the inner rim.

Dennis · #12 15-10-2006, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt

Anyone know where I can buy a filter for the 9.25????

Matt

I purchased mine from Scopestuff http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_azsf.htm but you will have to get your skates on if you want delivery before 9th November. I recall OPT also stock them (Astrozap Baader Solar Filter).

I like the 3 plastic retaining screws at 120 deg around the rim. I still check to make sure everything is fitted firmly so it won't fall off, but it's nice to know there is a 3 point holding arrangement as well as the slip on friction.

Cheers

Dennis

PS - I also note that Scopestuff sell the Protostar flocking paper, so purchasing multiple items may optimise international postage and packaging costs.

matt · #13 15-10-2006, 12:39 PM

Thanks guys

Now, one last question:

Where do I find the courage/faith to put my eye up to the eyepiece with the scope pointing directly at the sun, even with the filter in place?

[1ponders] (Paul) · #14 15-10-2006, 12:50 PM

It is a leap of faith, isn't it.

Dennis · #15 15-10-2006, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt

Thanks guys

Now, one last question:

Where do I find the courage/faith to put my eye up to the eyepiece with the scope pointing directly at the sun, even with the filter in place?

Not a bad question Matt, not a bad question.....

When I first fitted and used the Baader 9.25 filter on the C9.25, my rational mind understood that the incident light per unit area would be the same as that of my Vixen 4” refractor with its 4” dia Baader Film Solar Filter.

But, my irrational mind was mildly concerned about getting blasted by the huge differential in light gathering capability of the C9.25. Πr2 gives a ratio of (2)2 = 4, versus (4.6)2 = 21 units of incident light for the Vixen 4” versus the Celestron C9.25, a factor of x5.

The end result was equivalent!

Cheers

Dennis

PS - (2)2 is 2 to the power 2; superscript appears not to work?

matt · #16 15-10-2006, 12:59 PM

Mmmmm...

Thanks for the math lesson, Dennis.

It has reduced my Coward Index by a factor of 1/10000000

matt · #17 15-10-2006, 01:21 PM

Don't suppose anyone's got a small amount of (spare) solar film for covering the objective end of my small 6x30mm Celestron finderscope???

Dennis - do you stop down the aperture of your 9.25 for solar observation with the filter or use it full aperture?

spacezebra (Petra) · #18 15-10-2006, 02:31 PM

Thanks for the heads up Dennis - I am my way to Little Desert so will miss the transit. Will be ready for the nest one though.

Cheers Petra

Gargoyle_Steve (Steve) · #19 16-10-2006, 02:49 AM

I'm looking forward to this .... and I'm already filtered up!
I was lucky enough to find a Kronos solar filter (mylar material) that fits my Meade ETX-70 nearly perfectly in one of the "bargain" boxes at Astrofest this year. It cost me the princely sum of $10, works a treat, colour neutral (ie sun is a sharp white colour against a black background) and to make it fit snugly I wrapped about 3 layers of insulation tape around the snout of the 70. The Meade makes a great solar viewing scope, with 9mm ep the sun is about 2/3 fov in the scope, and the package inc tripod is light and easy to transport / set up!

iceman (Mike) · #20 16-10-2006, 06:20 AM

I can't wait either.. i need to start contemplating where i'm going to travel to, that:
a) has a good east-looking horizon, with some foreground interest too
b) has 240v power (for my laptop and cameras)
c) isn't too far to travel

I've already put in for 1/2 a day annual leave.