First Solar ob with Thousand Oak Type 2+ Glass Solar Filter

[Davegn]

4" Refractor Omni XLT setup.


Thousand Oak Type 2+ Glass Solar Filter

The very first a solar ob Sat (19/05/2012 at 1+PM)
Weather was really hot and clear and seeing was lovely.

Tested the Thousand Oak Type 2+ Glass Solar Filter which i got recently from astrobargains.
Despite the hot weather, seeing was good and lovely. With the Thousand Oak Type 2+ Glass Solar Filter and armed my refractor, it produce a orange glow of the sun. With the 24mm Badder Ep with able to fit the whole sun into the view.

This is the first time in my life which i m able to see sunspots with my own eyes! Very lovely sight! With a 6mm Eps, was able to bring up the power to X167. Was able to see the sunspots with more details and it also feels as if i was flying over the sun!

My whole solar ob only lasted for about an hour as i could not stand the heat any longer. Got badly beaten by the sun. Discovered later on in the night after another sidewalk session that i had small sunburns on my toes.


I did not expect to say this but despite the sunburns and the un-bearing heat, solar ob-ing was lovely and wonderful! I would never have thought that a simple solar filter with a refractor would show you wonders and beauty of your sun. And I am all ready and prepared for the up and coming astronomical event of a lifetime on 6th June 2012! The Venus transit!


Would like to take this time to thank Gary and Joo Beng for the tips that they have shared with me!

[Gary]

Nice report and photo showing the shadow method of finding the Sun!

You actually lasted an hour there? Amazing. LOL. Thousand Oaks should collaborate with Coppertone.

[Airconvent]

Being fried aside, thanks for sharing Davegn. But in future, set up next to a shade so you can do the adjustments mostly away from the sun and reduce exposure. But of course, sun block helps. Just make sure you don't leave oily prints on your equipment!