Solar Scope

[OzStarGazer]

Considering the limitations of the view from my balcony and of the scope I can use from my balcony etc. etc... I was thinking it would be nice to also learn more about the sun. My balcony faces east so it would be easy for me to study the sun in detail first thing in the morning with a good solar scope. How many here own one and was it worth the price?
PS: I currently have a normal Baader solar filter which I use with my refractor (obviously a solar filter cannot be used with a collapsible dob).
Thanks!

[Atmos]

I have a Coronado PST, cost about $~750 a few years ago and I really enjoy using it. Haven't seen much of the sun nor stars in recent months due to unspeakable weather but I would say that they're worth the money if you are interested in solar observing.

[OzStarGazer]

Thank you, Colin. It looks like a very nice portable scope that can be used anywhere. A pity that our dollar is so weak at the moment, but it still affordable. (It is about 700 USD at the moment, so about 950 AUD...)

[axle01]

I currently have 4 and in the process of building a 5th.

Mod .5 PST
120/600 Orion with a Baader Herschel Wedge
100/500 SkyWatcher with a Coronado SM90 and BF15
80/400 Opticstar and a Daystar Quark
100/1000 PST stage2 mod in the works.

Al

[Merlin66]

I've been using a PST Stage 2 mod for the past 8 years...
It's now on a TS102 refractor.
Also the SM60 on an ED80
and the spectroheliograph is coming soooooon.

[OzStarGazer]

Thanks, guys!
I will have a look at all the options you mention. :)

[sil]

I've got a double stack 60mm Coronado. Great scope, the sun is amazing to view, constantly changing. Value for money? hmm, probably not for casual viewing but it was on special for a good price.

[MichaelSW]

G'day OzStarGazer.

I just added a light shroud to my collapsable dob. Made it from a heavy cotton material and used 25mm square plastic lattice to keep the shape.

[rustigsmed]

like the person below I too have taken solar shots with a collapsible dob - however I didn't use a light shroud and it still worked.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/80336656@N07/7365371632/in/dateposted-public/lightbox/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/80336656@N07/7365371530/in/dateposted-public/lightbox/

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment_browse.php?a=118224

of course it is only sunspot detail.

cheers

[julianh72]

You should be VERY careful if using a Collapsible Dob to view the Sun. (I wouldn't recommend it at all.)

In theory, as long as it is pointed directly at the Sun, with a full aperture solar filter in place, then the filter will cast a shadow over the whole primary, and it is just the same as using a closed-tube Newt.

However, think about what happens as the Sun tracks off-axis. (And with a manually guided Dob, this will happen continuously, or if the scope is bumped off-axis.)

You could start to get some direct sunlight passing through the open tube and striking the primary. As it will be a few degrees off-axis, the reflected (focussed!) beam shouldn't be directed to the secondary / eyepiece, but it may well strike the solar filter adjacent to the secondary. I would imagine the focussed sunlight from just a few percent of the primary could burn a hole in a plastic film filter in just a second or so, or crack a glass filter in not much more time, and then you could be in all sorts of trouble!

At best, you might only scorch or burn part of your scope (or set fire to your hair); at worst ....

I think a black-out shroud is HIGHLY advisable!

[rustigsmed]

oh yes don't get me wrong - I agree a shroud is highly advisable :thumbsup:

i was just pointing out that is possible without a shroud, the OP suggests that it wasn't. my circumstance was a one off for the transit of Venus haven't done it again since. it tracked fine all day as i did a two star alignment pre dawn. these scopes track very well if set up carefully.

the good news is that there are now affordable options available (back in 2012 the only options were a couple of hundred dollars and from o/s - if you weren't really game to make your own).

http://www.myastroshop.com.au/products/accessgen.asp

i haven't tried one but probably will.

:thumbsup: