Solar film on 8 inch SCT

Here is the place to talk about all those equipment(Telescope, Mounts, Eyepieces, etc...) you have. Not sure which scope/eyepiece is best for you? Trash it out here!
User avatar
Mibmom
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2015 2:06 pm
Favourite scope: Celestron Nexstar 6SE
Location: Pasir Ris

Solar film on 8 inch SCT

Post by Mibmom »

Hi Guys.
With the coming of the solar eclipse, I am going to get a Solar film to apply to my 8" SCT.
Question is should it cover the whole aperture or just a small amount of centre?
Thanks!
Take me out to the black
Tell them I ain't comin' back
Burn the land and boil the sea
You can't take the sky from me
~ Serenity
geyes30
Posts: 132
Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2006 10:07 pm

Re: Solar film on 8 inch SCT

Post by geyes30 »

Definitely whole aperture. You risk blinding yourself and destroying the scope otherwise.
User avatar
Mibmom
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2015 2:06 pm
Favourite scope: Celestron Nexstar 6SE
Location: Pasir Ris

Re: Solar film on 8 inch SCT

Post by Mibmom »

Hi geyes30,

Thanks for the reply.
I meant to cover the whole aperture with the solar film or only have a small aperture with the solar film and cover the rest with cardboard.
eg below:
Image
or
Image

Thanks
Take me out to the black
Tell them I ain't comin' back
Burn the land and boil the sea
You can't take the sky from me
~ Serenity
User avatar
Mariner
Posts: 548
Joined: Thu Apr 19, 2012 11:18 pm
Favourite scope: Non as of now
Location: Terra Firma

Re: Solar film on 8 inch SCT

Post by Mariner »

Won't make much of a difference save for resolution (of sunspots), which will be rather minute.
OCULARHOLIC ANONYMOUS!!!
Keep Calm and Carry on Observing.
User avatar
Mibmom
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2015 2:06 pm
Favourite scope: Celestron Nexstar 6SE
Location: Pasir Ris

Re: Solar film on 8 inch SCT

Post by Mibmom »

Hi Mariner,
So I should just save the extra filter and use it for some of the other scopes?
Take me out to the black
Tell them I ain't comin' back
Burn the land and boil the sea
You can't take the sky from me
~ Serenity
User avatar
Mariner
Posts: 548
Joined: Thu Apr 19, 2012 11:18 pm
Favourite scope: Non as of now
Location: Terra Firma

Re: Solar film on 8 inch SCT

Post by Mariner »

It's up to you really, and your wallet. :)
OCULARHOLIC ANONYMOUS!!!
Keep Calm and Carry on Observing.
geyes30
Posts: 132
Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2006 10:07 pm

Re: Solar film on 8 inch SCT

Post by geyes30 »

Ahh... That makes more sense. I thought that might be what you meant, but figured the PSA was more important. I am deciding between these options myself, and have decided to just go with a smaller scope. More portable, saves on film. :D
Mibmom wrote:Hi geyes30,

Thanks for the reply.
I meant to cover the whole aperture with the solar film or only have a small aperture with the solar film and cover the rest with cardboard.
eg below:
Image
or
Image

Thanks
User avatar
Mibmom
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2015 2:06 pm
Favourite scope: Celestron Nexstar 6SE
Location: Pasir Ris

Re: Solar film on 8 inch SCT

Post by Mibmom »

Thanks Geyes30. I should have been clear in my description.
It is good to not assume anyone knows how dangerous it is to do solar viewing.

Sent from my SM-N915G using Tapatalk
Take me out to the black
Tell them I ain't comin' back
Burn the land and boil the sea
You can't take the sky from me
~ Serenity
User avatar
Great Red Spot
Posts: 409
Joined: Sun Sep 29, 2013 3:55 pm
Favourite scope: Newtonian

Re: Solar film on 8 inch SCT

Post by Great Red Spot »

[bad idea deleted]
Last edited by Great Red Spot on Mon Feb 29, 2016 9:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
MooEy
Posts: 1275
Joined: Sat Oct 04, 2003 6:24 am

Re: Solar film on 8 inch SCT

Post by MooEy »

Bad idea.

You need to reread the requirements for a herschel wedge.
Post Reply