THanks for the great info Mike - just what I was looking for.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jjjnettie
I dropped in at my kids High School yesterday to find out what they will be doing for the Transit and if they'd like me to set up my gear so the students can see this very rare astronomical event.
The Science teacher said they are doing nothing about the Transit, and no they don't need a telescope, thank you and good bye.   
Soooo, it looks like I'll be free to do as I wish on the day. If it's clear I'll set up in the back yard.
If it's cloudy I'll put into place Plan B. ie. I'm going to pack the gear in the car and keep driving west until it's clear.
If anyone cares to join the convoy just drop me a PM. |
Sorry to hear that JJJ - how can a teacher be that way? I asked my daughters teacher if she would like me to bring some scopes in to view the transit and she was stoked (2nd grade). I have 8 x IIS viewing glasses, 12" Dob and step ladder with orion sun filter, 6" mak with orion sun filter (hasn't arrived yet), 4 inch refractor and 70mm spotting scope to view with. I have a little Galileoscope but am worried it might melt.... The amount of scopes I will set up will depend on how many helpers front up on the morning.
I purchased a piece of seymour solar film to make a filter for my refractor and mak but wasn't sure of how reliable it will be (hence the orion filter in the post). I would like to make a filter for the refractor still but don't want any little kiddies to go blind either - thinking about it I will probably just make a sun funnel for the refractor and the spotting scope instead. I will use gaffa/gaffer tape on every scope to ensure no little hands can pull off filters etc.
Anything else i should be doing??? I am very excited to show the kids of 2R the transit but am also very cautious as to the planning of 24 kids looking at the sun. If anyone can think of as many different safety precautions to take, it would be very much appreciated. I intend to make a little safety sheet/booklet up and some basic factual info as well.