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[-=CROMAN=-]

Has anyone ever created their own solar filter using Baader solar film? Is this really recommended for viewing the sun as opposed to buying a coronado?

[patrickm]

I haven't.

It's about 1000% cheaper and does work. The film will not show solar prominences though. Need Ha to see that.

You can melt some parts of your optics if you aren't careful.

I'll let the more experienced share further.

I wanna Coronado!!
p

[Paulie pchris00]

I seriously doubt that a Coronado will be par of my Venus transit observations next year, so Baader film it is for me. I plan on using it on my 60mm refractor that I view projection now, and my 4.5" go-to. The sooner I get on this, the better.

[hillimolly]

Paulie i want to see my venus,

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

I have been meaning to make one for the longest time now...years really.

There are two types of film filters to work with from different companies.

One casts a orange hue to the disk and the other displays a cool blue color. Both work, just a matter of preference....but I like the orange better in terms of contrast and drama.

I saw one dude at the last Venus transit rubber band Pop-Tart wrappers on his binoculars. I must say they worked, as I asked to try them out, but only when the Sun was very low.

(Don't try this at home kids).

[Paulie pchris00]

Jun 30, 2011 17:37:43 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

I saw one dude at the last Venus transit rubber band Pop-Tart wrappers on his binoculars. I must say they worked, as I asked to try them out, but only when the Sun was very low.

(Don't try this at home kids).

Too late. I'm going to try it.

I should also have been working on rigging up a solar filter the past year or two. If transit day comes, and I'm only viewing projection stlye, somebody whack me over the head with my OTA...

[atomant]

I like Baader a lot.
For me, it provides the best contrasty views of sunspots.
It is also lightweight and not fragile like glass.

I bought a sheet from AstroPhysics a while back and made own solar filter with poster board stock.


El Sol viewing at Epoch2007, Astro Acres, IN.

I do miss my little PST.
Relatively affordable prominence viewing.
Not great on sunspots; worse than baader film and solar glass.
I now head to Adler to use Coronado scopes.