I set up the old 80mm GTL refractor to test out my solar projection setup for the upcoming transit. It is tracking and I am happy with the results. The attached image does not do it justice. I am using a cheap spare eye piece for the time being. It is still tracking and so far it is has not cracked.
I wanted to alter the colour of the projected image to make the Sun look 'warmer'. Surprisingly the yellow filter survived the test.
With the whole setup working well and a double safety check, I got my Son out to have a look at the projected image and he was impressed. He decided that the colour needed to be changed, so we changed the colour filter and it cracked almost instantly.
It was a great way to demonstrate to my boy how dangerous the Sun can be for a persons eyesight. The downside is I now need a new piece of coloured glass. I won't be risking another piece of coloured glass and will have to settle for a white light image.
Last edited by Shark Bait; 27-05-2012 at 04:03 PM.
It was a cheap scope with average optics. I don't really mind risking a cheap eyepiece in order to project the image of the Venus Transit. I am still keen to turn the projected image yellow but don't want to destroy another filter. We heard the glass crack when it let go. I half expected it to happen.
Don't worry, there is no way that I would ever risk my eyesight by looking at the Sun directly without solar filters.
I guess the best bet will be to add some colour in the processing stage.
