Solar Filter

[Bino Pete]

Is my telescope any good for solar observing (only general observing)? Obviously I would be buying a filter - http://www.firstlightoptics.com/solar-filters/astrozap-baader-solar-filter.html

Are these filters ok and would I need anything else?

Telescope - Celestron Nexstar 127 SLT.

Thanks

[Fozzie]

Hi Pete,

No reason that astrozap and the 127 wont be a good combo.  The 18mm excel and the 40mm plossl will give you some good whole disk views..

I have a natural density filter to cut glare down a bit more but really you are ready to go with the astro zap.

make sure it's fitted nice and tight, remove the finderscope too just incase..

Happy viewing

Ta

Fozzie

[Owmuchonomy]

As long as you buy the correct filter for observing (not imaging) that covers your objective safely then you can do white light observation.  So you will see sunspots and a bit of surface texture but not much else.  Make sure your finder is also protected or removed.  You can get specific solar finders such as the one produced by Altair but to be honest just use the smallest shadow method.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

As has been said, your scope should be fine for white light with that filter. Should be great for the upcoming transit of Mercury. You might want to add a Baader Solar Continuum filter to enhance detail in the granulation.

[Bino Pete]

11 hours ago, michael.h.f.wilkinson said:

As has been said, your scope should be fine for white light with that filter. Should be great for the upcoming transit of Mercury. You might want to add a Baader Solar Continuum filter to enhance detail in the granulation.

Regarding this continuum filter, will this work in conjunction with the solar filter I was thinking of buying?

[Ricochet]

Yes, use both in conjunction. It's certainly not an either/or situation if that's what you were asking as the continuum filter does nothing to reduce the light intensity to safe levels.

[Dave In Vermont]

The only caveat on the Baader Solar-Continuum Filter is that it turns the Sun a deep green colour. But it will enhance the seeing of granulation on the solar-disk. One gentleman who makes a marvelous Sun-finder told me he often uses just a simple green-filter - with a solar-filter like the Baader film ones - and it works well for him.

His "Helio-Pods" can be viewed here:

http://www.dynapod.com/dyna-hp1.html

Always be CAREFUL with our Sun -

Dave