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Old 25-03-2015, 06:00 PM
julianh72 (Julian)
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Kelvin Grove
Posts: 1,300
One thing that worries me when people use the terms "collapsible Dob" and "solar observation" in the same sentence:

Is it EVER truly safe to use an open-tube telescope for solar viewing, even with a full-aperture solar filter on the front?

Is there any risk that a dangerous amount of heat / light could be brought to focus if the telescope is knocked sightly off-axis, such that some sunlight can hit the primary mirror through the open side of the tube? At the very least, I would think it would be very desirable (essential?) to use some sort of 100% opaque "shroud" around the open part of the tube, to make sure there is no way direct sunlight can enter the optical path?

(I've never used an open telescope in daylight hours, so I don't know if I'm being overly dramatic, but I don't think you can EVER be too careful with the gift of sight!)
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