Just curious. I saw on the NASA SOHO LASCO C3 image that Antares is 5 degrees south of the Sun now.
I sometimes view stars in daylight but not so close to the sun.
My record is Mercury @ mag -1 7 degrees from the Sun with a 10cm telescope.
*Is* there a possibility to view Antares (+0.9) or another similar star that close to the Sun ?
Prerequisites:
- Sun high in the sky (which is not a problem these days in AU).
- Be sure that the telescope cannot be pointed at the Sun while someone is viewing through it !!
- Crystal clear blue sky, no clouds or haze.
- At least 40cm aperture
Here in Holland I have no opportunity: Sun too low and telescope (25cm) too small. I even never tried Aldebaran in the beginning of June (similar brightness and then also 5 deg from the Sun) for the latter reason.
You may wish to consider that even if the scope is not pointed directly at the sun, reflections off the inside of the scope may allow large amounts of light in to the eyepiece. The inside is supposed to be blacked, but any remaining specular surface can reflect light in unexpected directions.
Your plan is risky. If you have a camera instead of an eyepiece, all you risk is losing equipment. If you have an eyepiece, you risk losing an eye.
Don't do it. There is no glory to be had by trying to spot a planet or star so close to the sun and risking blindness. Just observe Mercury and Venus at favourable elongations east or west of the sun, and as for Antares, well he is visible for half the year in the safety of the night sky - and is far more impressive in the dark
Just curious. I saw on the NASA SOHO LASCO C3 image that Antares is 5 degrees south of the Sun now.
I sometimes view stars in daylight but not so close to the sun.
My record is Mercury @ mag -1 7 degrees from the Sun with a 10cm telescope.
*Is* there a possibility to view Antares (+0.9) or another similar star that close to the Sun ?
Prerequisites:
- Sun high in the sky (which is not a problem these days in AU).
- Be sure that the telescope cannot be pointed at the Sun while someone is viewing through it !!
- Crystal clear blue sky, no clouds or haze.
- At least 40cm aperture
Here in Holland I have no opportunity: Sun too low and telescope (25cm) too small. I even never tried Aldebaran in the beginning of June (similar brightness and then also 5 deg from the Sun) for the latter reason.
Please explain why you would want to do this anyway:question :
Why risk blindness for little or no reward
Astronomers try to encourage people to not aim telescopes anywhere near the sun without a filter,and you should do the same.
Cheers
Yep , I would NOT! try this , to much danger of an accident .
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