Telescope solar film for viewing transit of Mercury

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mdf

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#259956 2-Nov-2019 08:54

I've just found out about the transit of Mercury in a few days (morning of 12 November). I have a telescope and would be keen to watch this. I understand I need a solar filter or solar film to make this safe, but can't find a NZ stockist online that I have confidence would get it to me within a week.

My telescope is a refractor, Celestron Inspire 100AZ, 100mm aperture, but has a lens hood that I think will make it difficult to mount anything pre-made and not designed for it. I've figured out how I can mount something custom and am confident I can make the mounting parts, but need the film.

Anyone know of anything available locally? I'm in Wellington.

Batman

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#2347553 2-Nov-2019 11:48

~~Old xray films?~~
Sorry Google says dangerous

Varkk

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#2347937 4-Nov-2019 09:08

I always thought the safest way was to not use those filters but instead set up a projection arrangement with the telescope. That way you aren't looking directly at the sun if something goes wrong.

https://www.space.com/32819-mercury-transit-how-to-watch-safely-equipment.html

Yoban

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#2347959 4-Nov-2019 09:53

here is possibly what you are looking for https://www.jacobsdigital.co.nz/search?q=solar&type=product&view=12

jonathan18

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#2348009 4-Nov-2019 10:11

It looks like the transit is happening damn early NZT - as the sun in rising. One site states "we recommend going to a high point or finding an unobstructed area with free sight to East-southeast for the best view of the transit."

https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/new-zealand/wellington

Let us know how you get on, if you end up viewing it...

mdf

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#2348026 4-Nov-2019 11:08

Varkk:

I always thought the safest way was to not use those filters but instead set up a projection arrangement with the telescope. That way you aren't looking directly at the sun if something goes wrong.

https://www.space.com/32819-mercury-transit-how-to-watch-safely-equipment.html

I've seen videos of this melting plastic eyepieces with the sun focussed just so...

Yoban:

here is possibly what you are looking for https://www.jacobsdigital.co.nz/search?q=solar&type=product&view=12

Thanks, but unfortunately while they list them, shipping time for the ones I could use are "1 to 3 months". I'm picking they only order them in on request.

Varkk

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#2348030 4-Nov-2019 11:32

mdf:

Varkk:

I always thought the safest way was to not use those filters but instead set up a projection arrangement with the telescope. That way you aren't looking directly at the sun if something goes wrong.

https://www.space.com/32819-mercury-transit-how-to-watch-safely-equipment.html

I've seen videos of this melting plastic eyepieces with the sun focussed just so...

Yes, does seem to be a draw back for that technique, they suggest using an eyepiece you aren't too attached to as it can get hot enough to crack the glass. Although if it is early morning so not full intensity and you don't have any dust or grease on the glass which can create hot spots it should be fine.