Techniques

Viewing the Sun Safely

NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN

1) If you have never viewed the sun with a telescope or other optical aid, get advice and view with someone who is an experienced solar observer.

2) Cover up the finder

3) To aim your telescope use the 'scopes shadow, the sun will be lined up when the shadow cast by the tube is at it's smallest.

4) Never leave your telescope unattended

5) There are only 3 safe ways to observe the sun, don't use any others

5.1) Projection - I use a home-made projection box that goes over a 25mm eyepiece, this gives very high contrast, you can see examples of projection methods in the events section of this site. There are some risks with this method, the telescope is concentrating the suns energy in the eyepiece, so use a simple single element eyepiece such as a 'Kelner' this type of eyepiece doesn't have any cement so the only way to damage it is to get it so hot that it cracks - this has never happened to me - but could happen - Personally, I only use a Kelner when using projection and I only ever use a reflector, catadioptics and refractors require the Sun's rays to be transmitted through them whereas a reflector reflects the light so can't be damaged.

5.2) Solar Filter - These should ALWAYS be full aperture (i.e. cover the front of the telescope) and be specified by the manufacturer for use as a solar filter on a telescope. You can see examples of full aperture filter methods in the events section of this site.

5.3) Dedicated Solar Telescope manufactured for the purpose, these usually have a Hydrogen alpha filter, but others are also available.