The Sun

Moonboy (Gus) · #1 15-03-2008, 10:33 AM

Hi everyone,
I was thinking of getting solar film so I can observe the sun...
But is it really worth it?
What will I see?

Gus

omnivorr · #2 15-03-2008, 03:03 PM

... branching out Moonboy ?

hehe.. the serious folks'll be along soon..
I await their replies too

Blue Skies (Jacquie) · #3 15-03-2008, 07:47 PM

If you get only white-light solar filter, the cheap stuff, all you will see are sunspots - when they are there. The sun is still pretty quiet at the moment so not much to see. I would hope sunspot activity will pick up near the end of this year (fingers crossed). If you want to see prominences you need a h-alpha filter and they are the big bucks ones (which is why the PST scope is such a neat little product.)

Moonboy (Gus) · #4 19-03-2008, 04:39 PM

I think I will go for the white-light solar filter...I'm not made of money.
What brand is the BEST?

iceman (Mike) · #5 19-03-2008, 05:10 PM

You can just get baader solar film. What telescope will you be putting it on?

Moonboy (Gus) · #6 20-03-2008, 04:13 PM

I've got a Celestron 127mm Newtonian Telescope and thats what I'll be putting it on.
(I know its not a very good telescope! Please dont remind me.

)

Gus

iceman (Mike) · #7 20-03-2008, 04:37 PM

Hi Gus

Just make your own solar filter with baader solar film.
There's a DIY article in the Projects section to show you how.

You'll only see sunspots (which there are none at the moment), but in the next few years the activity will increase.

Moonboy (Gus) · #8 20-03-2008, 08:19 PM

Thanks man.

Gus