Table of Contents
Advertisement
Observing the Sun
34
œ
Celestial Observing
Although overlooked by many amateur astronomers, solar observation is
both rewarding and fun. However, because the Sun is so bright, special
precautions must be taken when observing our star so as not to damage your
eyes or your telescope.
Never project an image of the Sun through the telescope. Because of the
folded optical design, tremendous heat build-up will result inside the
optical tube. This can damage the telescope and/or any accessories at-
tached to the telescope.
For safe solar viewing, use a Celestron solar filter (#94138). This filter
reduces the intensity of the Sun's light, making it safe to view. With this
filter you can see sunspots as they move across the solar disk and faculae,
which are bright patches seen near the Sun's edge. Be sure to cover the
objective lens of the finder or completely remove the finder when observ-
ing the Sun. This will ensure that the finder itself is not damaged and that
no one looks through it inadvertently.
SOLAR OBSERVING HINTS
+
The best time to observe the Sun is in the early morning or late afternoon
when the air is cooler.
e
To locate the Sun without a finder, watch the shadow of the telescope
tube until it forms a circular shadow on the ground.
Advertisement
Table of Contents
