Mercury Transit ?

[vindictive666]

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 :D :shrug:

[iceman]

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]]

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

[JohnG]

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]]

Good point John!

[h0ughy]

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/showthread.php?t=13644&highlight=mercury+transit

[[1ponders]]

For those after filters, I know that Steve from Myastroshop (www.myastroshop.com.au)has just received a batch of full aperture JMB filters and AOE (http://www.aoe.com.au/)has sheets of Baader solar film in A4 and A3 sizes. Steve may have the film as will.

[JohnG]

Sorry David :D

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

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

Cheers

JohnG :thumbsup:

[[1ponders]]

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 (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.php?id=59,136,0,0,1,0).

[matt]

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

[[1ponders]]

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]

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]

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?:scared:

[[1ponders]]

:lol:

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

:lol:

[Dennis]

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]

Mmmmm...

Thanks for the math lesson, Dennis.

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

[matt]

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

:prey:

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

[spacezebra]

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]

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]

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.

[[1ponders]]

I'm with you and in the same boat Mike. 240V :confuse3:

[fringe_dweller]

hehe don't get to excited - with the last venus transit, besides the high powered views of 1st and second contact - which were most excellent and thought provoking ect. btw! - I was surprised how bored outta me brain I was for the rest of it, as a purely visual experience, and consider a Venus Transit is a step up from a Mecury transit.
I would prefer a nice simple common partial solar eclipse for lasting impact compared to that, despite these transits rarity.
Woulda helped to have some nice sun spot activity tho, like at solar max say.
I think the horizon view with the dot on sun is the only other nice aspect of these transits imo -
have fun!
EDIT: and for those of you, like me, nervous of high powered/magnified telescopic views of sun with solar filter, try this to reassure yourself, and I do this 'toe in the water' every time, hold the filter up in front of you and view the sun at 1x before attatching it to scope, check for any scratches holes ect. makes me feel more confident everytime

[iluvsaturn]

I got mine from HandsOnOptics on their ebay shop $18.00 + 9.00 post USD. No complaints delivered in 5 days from US.:thumbsup:

[Suzy_A]

Hi All,

I just got a JMB filter for about $110. Fits over my Orion ED 80 mm. It's not bad - but the image is much crisper (although dimmer) with a 7 nm H-alpha in as well. Well, I think it is, as since I've had it (1 week?) its either been cloudy and/or there has been absolutely no details (sunspots etc) to be seen at all.

This morning I was thinking about a good place to have a look near where I live (Fremantle, WA). There are a number of hills with parks on top - one particularly good one is Wireless Hill Park which also has three 10 m high solid concrete towers. These are left-overs from a WWI and WWII radar and telecommunications station.

Problem is that in WA, I'll need to up at about 4:30 am :sadeyes: and at the park at 5:30 am and the gate doesn't open until about 8 am or so, so I'll have to park outside and carry all my gear - telescope, camera, tripod, mount, battery etc etc.

[Dennis]

Might be worth contacting the parks dept and speaking with someone. If one of their employees has an interest in astronomy, they just might be able to swing it and open up as a special favour at 5:00am. Plus, you'll have the security of some official company rather than be alone?

Good luck!

Dennis

[h0ughy]

yep i have the full day off. the NAS has no officially booked the newcastle forshore area at nobbies for the even and will be broadcast live (no pictures) via abc radio newcastle:thumbsup:

[astroron]

:hi: How about Sunshine Coast iceinspacers getting together down on the forshore somewhere around Caloundra?,"any takers?":thumbsup:

[jjjnettie]

Don't forget the sunscreen!
Prolonged solar viewing can leave you with a very burnt face and arms, but only on one side. Looks kinda weird afterwards.

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Ron I'm up for that! There's a few sites around Caloundra here as you know that could work well. Anyone else interested??

[[1ponders]]

Powered sites Steve?

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Oh jeez Paul now you're making it difficult .. what would I know 'bout power 'n stuff, being a simple dob owner??
:D

I suspect thats going to make it tough. Perhaps one of the surf clubs that we look after at work could leave a power lead or 2 out for us to use, they all have GREAT water / Eastern views.

I'll get back to you.

[gbeal]

Why not come across the ditch? It is an all morning affair here. Hopefully the Land Of The Long White Cloud will not live up to it's name.

[[1ponders]]

Tempting Gary.

Gary, can you get me Back in time for work at 12:00 Aus time :)

What's that? You said you'd pay for the flight? I'm in! :lol: