Binocular solar telescopes

[Sqyff]

Apologies if this has been asked before but is it possible/wise/credible to have two PST's mounted side by side to utilize as a binocular solar telescope?

As PST's are on sale at the moment I am sorely tempted to purchase another to do this or use the etalon as a double stack on a future stage 2 mod.

[garethmob]

i have seen them on the forum, so it is possiable, but make sure their sheilded so you dont look at the sun directly with out the scope

[Peter Drew]

Yes, this is possible and easy to do. I made and used one for several years when PST's were first available, the views were outstanding. As they were early PST's they eventually "rusted" and I have now converted them to 100mm and 150mm mods. Using two standard PST etalons as a double stack part of a PST mod is a tricky business to say the least, PM Merlin66 on this one.

[Helen]

Jamie has done it too. He has one single stack for prominance detail and one double stack for surface detail, and then your eyes pick out the best from both to give a great view.

Helen

[Sqyff]

Thanks everyone. A couple of 15mm plossl's might be in order as well methinks.

Now I just have to work out how to mount them and a system to adjust for pupil distance. Would some sort of rack and pinion setup to move them apart be the best way?

[Peter Drew]

If they are just for your own use then a plate with three holes in line will do. The first to attatch PST no 1, the central hole tapped 1/4 whitworth to fit a camera tripod top and the third hole to fit PST no 2 but slotted to give the required eye separation.

[Sqyff]

Thanks Peter.

Time to raid the piggybank to see if I can afford the second PST.