Quote:
Originally Posted by tempestwizz
Although I had an Orion filter for my little Tak 60CQ it was not necessary as the cloud bank near the horizon attenuated the light sufficiently enough to see first and second contacts.
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So, you could save the cost of a filter by coming here for the next one!
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I know that the Mercury transit is now over, but for the benefit of anyone who comes across this thread at some time in the future:
Using an unfiltered telescope to look at the Sun is a VERY hazardous exercise, no matter how "filtered" the view seems through the near-horizon atmosphere and clouds. It takes a very short amount of time to do a lot of permanent damage - and don't forget, the invisible infra-red rays are not necessarily attenuated to the same degree as the visible light, so even if the visible light is not apparently very dazzling, your telescope will still be focussing all of the infra-red (heat) that it collects onto your retina.
SERIOUSLY - PLEASE DON'T TRY IT!!!!