Solar filter question

[DJDD]

well, just my luck...

I just acquired a 10" dobsonian (via the classifieds- thanks, chich0) and so hoped to use it for the transit of venus.

of course, it now seems impossible to buy a Thousand Oaks solar filter anywhere... :(

I also have an ED80. What do people think of the "Sky-Watcher / Baader Safety Solar Cap" that can be purchased from AstroShop:

http://www.myastroshop.com.au/products/details.asp?id=MAS-018E3


cheers,
DJDD

[Shark Bait]

With the advice from other members on IIS, I have made solar filters out of Baader Solar Film 5.0 (Visual). It is used on the finder scope and aperture stop down and it does a great job. If you buy a sheet of this product you can make filters for both of your scopes. You will have enough left over to make a set of filters for your binoculars as well.

The Baader Solar Film gives better results visually over Mylar. I had a Mylar filter on my 80mm but ditched it for the Baader Film. Even though the add says it is Baader, I would contact the shop to confirm.

[DJDD]

Thanks, Stu.

Did you make your aperture stop down for the dob?
Is that necessary for viewing the sun through a 10" dob?

now I just have to find the film.

cheers,
DJDD

[traveller]

Baader film can be bought on line quite cheaply, just google it.
You don't need a full aperture 10" solar, IMHO, any size upto 100mm will be sufficient.
Google off axis solar filter for dobs and you should get plenty of results.
Bo

[Shark Bait]

This link has some more information; refer to post #2:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=90545&highlight=baader+solar+film

And this thread as well:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=88359&highlight=baader+solar+film

I know that Sirius Optics (QLD) still have a good supply of Baader Solar Film in stock. Hope this helps.

[DJDD]

thanks, Stu and Bo.

i will read and then purchase...once i get over my fear of lookign at the sun through something i have made...

[traveller]

simple, make the filter, then look through it as is.
You will be surprised how "cold" the sun looks. Then, build it up with a low power EP and finally slip it over the scope and enjoy!
This thread has a piccy of my home brew sun filter (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=90738&page=2)and I love it.
Bo

[DJDD]

Thanks, Bo. Good idea about "testing" with the low power EP first. :thumbsup:

i am just risk-averse. :)

[zardos123]

i bought from these guys they are the baader importer for australia and they have stock, paid took 48hrs to arrive
http://www.extravision.com.au/catalog/index.php

regards brad

[zimzum71]

hey all, fantastic site...im fairly new to astronomy and must've had a good dose of beginers luck: found out by accident about the venus transit while i was waiting for my 20x80 skymaster to arrive from the u.s, then quicky ordered a s.filter sheet and never once thought they might be sold out as the world gets ready, then i built cups for the s.filter cutouts all with 3 days to go....success! its pretty awesome looking at the sun anyway but could someone please let me know if i was wanting get serious and start to see detailed granulation and/or flares, suface ejecta and so forth i will really need h.alpha filters, or is it possible to keep a low budget with other types/brands of filter bought in sheets etc?...

[Merlin66]

If you want to get "serious" then unfortunately you need to invest in some expensive Ha/ Cak solar telescopes.
The complex design of the very narrowband filters (generally <1.0A) makes them very costly.
A good starting point is either the Coronado PST or the smaller Lunt scopes.
Hope this helps.

[zimzum71]

cheers merlin, yeah i thought that might have been the case, the imagery from those scopes u mentioned look incredible , and you would like easily perceive movement? the imagery from solar satellites and such looks sped up....

[Merlin66]

The movement of proms and active areas is noticable over a few minutes. Making an animation over, say an hour or so, is very spectacular!!

[zimzum71]

i bet it is, one piece of equipment at a time.....i currently have a tasco galaxee ( a toy really), viewing planets and the moon really is incredible (saw jupiter this morning for literaly the first time!) but thats about all...the next big acquisition will have to be a decent scope (i'm thinking dobsonion 8"+). although getting good binos and then taking time to research and save for the good scope is working out well indeed....