Hawksteve Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 I am a new amateur to stargazing and i would like to ask a question. I know you should not look at the sun without special equipment but i recently witnessed a sunset and as the sun was dropping to the horizon through fairly thick cloud i thought it was safe to observe with binoculars. I saw in the northern top left quadrant what appeared to be a large group of sunspots. Where they sunspots? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Presland Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 what if there was a small gap in the clouds? this is really not a good idea! as for the sunspots, yes they probably were. you could always buy some Baader safety film http://astronomia.co.uk/baader-astrosolar-a4-nd5-0-safety-film.html?gclid=CLnn-4Kxh70CFasEwwodXroASA for your binoculars that way you could make some filters for them.welcome to SGL as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avocette Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Please don't EVER risk your eyesight like that again! Once lost - never recovered.Try looking here instead http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/sunspots/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sologuitarist61 Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Hello and welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingergeek Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Hi there and welcome to SGL but please never attempt doing that again as you will lose your eyesight.You must use specialised solar filters or projection methods. I strongly suggest as others have done that you read up on the extensive resources on the internet for example Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pig Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Hello & welcome to SGL Only look at the sun with purpose made equipment, serious damage to your eyes will result.Shaun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 One of the easist things to do is use your binoculars to project an image onto a white piece of card or paper. Cost is zero £'s. Its what i used to do when i first started. Surprisingly effective.Or buy a sheet of Baader Solar Film for £20 and make two solar filters for the binoculars. Instructions are included, its all very Blue Peter but works....safely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charon Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Welcome aboard. Be careful observing the sun, only use recommended equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michigander Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Welcome to SGL, Steve!Dana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toymaster Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 I am a new amateur to stargazing and i would like to ask a question. I know you should not look at the sun without special equipment but i recently witnessed a sunset and as the sun was dropping to the horizon through fairly thick cloud i thought it was safe to observe with binoculars. I saw in the northern top left quadrant what appeared to be a large group of sunspots. Where they sunspots? PLEASE PLEASE don't try this again as you can so easily get serious eye damage.One reason why I'm not getting my granddaughter anything better than toy binoculars until she is old enough to know better.Get the proper viewing specs - they are only a few bucks.Having said that do enjoy the hobby and don't take this comment unkindly.Ade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glowjet Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Hi Hawksteve and welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronl Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Hi Steve welcome to the lounge,this link will show you how to make a solar filter, it's for a scope but you make two on a smaller scale, http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p014hpkhGood Luck and Clear Sky's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizibilder Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Hello Hawksteve and welcome to SGL!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesM Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Hi and welcome to the forum. I think you may have gathered that it is not a good idea to view the sun without proper protection for the eyes, all good advice from members here as we like to care of fellow observers like yourself! Clear skies and hope you enjoy the forum,James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd8137 Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Hi and welcome from me Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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