All solar filters SOLD OUT

[Jen]

@ Bintel
Must make not to oneself to stop doing things at the last minute All solar filters are out of stock until July
Im guessing all other astro shops will be the same is there anywhere else in Australia that i can get one for my 12" dobby

I do not trust my self to make my own LOL



OH NOOOOOOO then i just went into the Ice In Space Shop and the eclipse glasses are sold out too

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

Jen
I have some Baader Solar Film that you can have if you want to have a go at making one.
PM me with your address and I will post it to you

I have used a bit myself but there is enough to make a small filter for the apertures in your cover.

Malcolm

[Ric]

I got the last 12" SCT solar filter from Astro-Optical about a month ago.

The fellow there reckoned I was lucky then and he wouldn't be receiving any more until July.

[naskies (Dave)]

These guys apparently still have rolls of 150x100 cm Baader film in stock...

http://myastroshop.com.au/products/solar-filters.asp

[von Tom (Tom)]

Hi Jen,

I have an off axis solar filter for the 12" Dobsonian (like this: http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/Orio...07725?scl-=%7D ) that I won't be using. I can send it to you if you like.

Cheers,

Tom

[Nico13 (Ken)]

Hey Jen, these guys are amazing aren't they .
It's great to see such a helpfull group, kudos to you all.

[Liz]

aw, bad luck Jen, but sound like solutions are at hand per the guys below.

There are a few eclipse glasses around-
http://www.astropetes.com.au/accessories.html

Good luck ..... 7 more sleeps!!

[mishku]

I post this on the understanding that the IIS eclipse glasses are now sold out and won't be restocked before the eclipse...

I was at Scienceworks in Melbourne on the weekend, and pottering around the shop, found that they have eclipse glasses IN STOCK (perhaps 40 or so pairs, that I could see?) for $2 a pair (a little less with members discount). For a last ditch option, it might be a go-er.

Hope this helps

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

I feel for you Jen , I am a lot like you left it a bit late for the last transit in 2006 , but hey what this june 6th transit is doing , is a lot for amateur astronomy and it is great , and this has to be good .
There is a little good news tho Jen , how about the good old fashioned ' solar projection' method ?
that way lots of people can view the transit ( and eclipse, later in the year ) at the same time using your beautiful scope .
Brian.

[Octane (Humayun)]

Peter Tan has lots of film available (to roll your own).

H

[Forgey (Paula)]

I can send you a pair of eclipse glasses jen(no charge) also check or kirks cameras in melbourne, that's where I got my solar filter from.
http://www.kirkscameras.com.au//comp...113/Itemid,26/

[Suzy]

Same here Jen- I too was disappointed when I went to buy the IIS eclipse glasses and found there were none left.

I'm so glad you're able to get a filter sorted out (hopefully) with Tom's generous offer.

Liz, I can't thank you enough for supplying the Astro Pete's link above- hah! who knew there was an astro shop just 10 mins away from me. Yippeeeeee!

[Suzy]

I've just rung and spoke with Pete from Astro Pete's and he's put aside some eclipse glasses for me to pick up.
I happened to mention to him that I only heard of his shop because of this thread running and then he said "aaaaah that explains why I've been busy taking orders all morning" and then we both laughed.

As of 10.30am this morning when I spoke with him, he still had plenty of eclipse glasses in stock with another 2 cartons being delivered soon.


He's open Friday and Saturday nights till 9pm, be he said they're often there till mid-night.


EDIT
I've just had a look at the price of his Baader astro film and it's only $33!!!
Andrews Comms. & Sirius Optics had them at $49 which is what I paid, that's such a great price. ♮

[Liz]

Ha, great to hear Suzy!! I hadnt heard of his shop until last week, and ordered a few goodies (Tring.camera adapter and some eclipse sunnies,and a camera mount for the top of the scope to attach my DSLR!!) which arrived today.

there is a green laser finderscope there that is sending me subliminal vibes ........

[Stu Ward]

Can you use Un-exposed X-Ray film ?

[Suzy]

Liz, if you're talking about the green laser pointer (?), it was sending me the same message ..."buy me.. buy me..". I said to it, sorry I can't Mr Green Thing, I have to buy a new eyepiece. Going the ES 4.7mm 82 deg ep Liz- thought I'd give it a go- you seem pretty happy with its performance and we've both got 10" dobs we use it on.

I actually said to him he should advertise more and he chuckled and said they do plenty of advertising. Then I said but he's name never pops up across the forum, only Sirius Optics.
And errr Ron from Sirius if you're reading this, don't worry I will still support your business too I think that even if we pay just a bit more money for our purchases, it's important to keep our local astro shops in business.

I think they've hit on a fabulous business plan there having it double as a cafe and not relying on the sale of only astro supplies which seems to be the case of demise of so many astro shops.

[Suzy]

Stu,
I don't know if any of the info below will help with your question but I'll post anyway..

Perhaps ask that same question in the Venus Transit thread (in Celestial Events Forum)?
I've seen people asking solar safety questions in there and being answered well.

http://www.abc.net.au/science/articl...23/3508538.htm

Protecting your eyes

The Sun is a bright source of electromagnetic radiation, which includes visible light, infrared, ultraviolet and x-rays.
Our eyes normal reaction when we glance at the Sun is to look away. This reflex reaction protects the retina, a layer of cells lining the back of the eye.
These cells collect light and convert them to electrical signals, which are sent to the brain. Intense exposure to electromagnetic radiation can destroy the cells, and cause permanent eye damage, so it's important to protect your eyesight while viewing any astronomical phenomenon involving the Sun.



Direct viewing

You can view the Sun directly by using specially made filters. Do not use sunglasses, smoked glass, exposed film or CD/DVDs as filters. While these objects may reduce the amount of visible sunlight your eye receives, they don't significantly reduce the amount of UV light or x-rays
Specially manufactured solar viewing glasses reduce all forms of light that are known to cause damage to the eyes. But it's important to note that while these glasses typically meet European and US safety standards, there are no Australian/New Zealand standards for solar filters. Also be aware that they are made of a thin polymer plastic that can be scratched or damaged. Do not use the filter if you suspect it is damaged.
An alternative is number 14 (or greater) welding glasses. If the glasses have been damaged, or you are unsure of their rating, do not use them.
If you own a telescope, there are a range of solar filters available such as Baader film and Hydrogen-alpha. The latter type allows you to see the structure of Sun, such as prominences and flares, in fine detail. You should only use filters that attach to the front of the telescope, which filter light before it enters the tube. Do not use filters that attach to the eyepiece.

[Liz]

A nice little website too. Also like that they have telescope viewing of Friday and Saturday night outside - if you are looking at a scope, its a good opportunity.

Yep, that green Mr Thingy is the one ... stop it now!!

Good luck with the new EP Suzy, been such awhile since I used it, but liked the view it gave.

[naskies (Dave)]

Thanks for the link about Astro Pete's... such a great idea!

Btw if you're looking for a green laser pointer... I bought a 10 mW green laser pointer for $19 AUD (excl. shipping) from Peter Tan in Hong Kong. It's very bright, even in my suburban back yard. (There's also a metal bracket with a remote trigger cable for attaching to a scope.)

http://tan14.com/Others.htm

[Liz]

Originally Posted by naskies

Thanks for the link about Astro Pete's... such a great idea!

Btw if you're looking for a green laser pointer... I bought a 10 mW green laser pointer for $19 AUD (excl. shipping) from Peter Tan in Hong Kong. It's very bright, even in my suburban back yard. (There's also a metal bracket with a remote trigger cable for attaching to a scope.)

http://tan14.com/Others.htm

You got it through Customs OK? I have a green laser now, but also one at Brisbane Customs. I do like the idea of attaching to the scope though.