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[RobbW]

Okay, I'm still kicking myself for missing the eclipse. However, I finally got out with my scope after work tonight to test out the sun funnel I built. I used the same instructions Rich used for his funnel. Worked out pretty well. I used an aperture mask on my scope, but without the Baader solar film. The solar film and the aperture mask together made the image too dim, and it could not be seen on the sun funnel.

I know the white-light image is truer to the sun's actual color, but I think I really prefer the yellow/orange color produced by a color filter. I need to see if I can pick one of those up somewhere. Any suggestions for a filter (other than Paulie poo-pooing the idea of a filter altogether)?

Well, looks like I'm ready. Now I just need to clean it up, dress it, and make it look nice and pretty for the transit!

Pics below:

[-=CROMAN=-]

That's a great sun funnel you got there! I put an orange filter on mine and I had no problem with heat. I'm not a big fan of the white color. I prefer the yellow / orange colors.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

When I work Solar events & Sessions at the Adler, I always place a yellow filter for projection viewings.

It builds interest and adds a bit of contrast.

I need to complete my funnel...this weekend!

[headdunce]

Telescope Beer Bongs!

[erikruud]

May 22, 2012 22:43:48 GMT -6 RobbW said:

Okay, I'm still kicking myself for missing the eclipse.

Rich and I would have shared our scopes with you.

Nice work on the funnel.

I think your next project should be to add motors and radio control to the scope buggy so you can drive it around. ;D

[RobbW]

Erik, I actually thought about adding motor-assist to the scope buggy just to make it a little easier to pull through grass.

So, where does one get a yellow filter for my sun funnel? I imagine you just get one of those color filters that screw into the bottom of the EP, right? Gotta figure out where I can get one cheap and fast!

[erikruud]

I went over to American Science and Surplus tonight to look for some stuff my wife needed for a project. Not astronomy related.

As I was walking in, I saw a sign on the door that stated they would not be carrying eclipse shades because the eclipse was only visible out in Arizona, New Mexico and California.

I thinking "Huhh?". I wonder what all of us were watching Sunday evening then?

I may have to call them tomorrow and ask about eclipse glasses for the Transit.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

I prefer to call them..."End Times Glasses".

[Paulie pchris00]

May 22, 2012 22:43:48 GMT -6 RobbW said:

I know the white-light image is truer to the sun's actual color, but I think I really prefer the yellow/orange color produced by a color filter. I need to see if I can pick one of those up somewhere. Any suggestions for a filter (other than Paulie poo-pooing the idea of a filter altogether)?

I say go for it. I like some color on the Sun. Yes, you run the risk of overheating the filter, but that's the least of your worries. I always use my #12 yellow filter on the Sun. Orange is a little more pleasant, but yellow is what I have.

[RobbW]

On Saturday, I received the 5-pack of filters I ordered off of eBay. It has red, green, blue, yellow, and a neutral density filter. So, now my question is whether I should use the yellow or the red filter? Anyone have a preference? I would just test them both out on my scope and sun funnel and decide which I like better, but my scope is all packed up following an event I participated in this past weekend. I haven't decided if I'm going to unpack it and set it all back up on my scope buggy since I will just have to disassemble and pack it all up again to go to the U-46 planetarium for the transit.

Another question I have is which do you think people would prefer to see: 1). The full disk of the Sun in the sun funnel, or 2). A magnified view of Venus transiting across the Sun? I can do either one. If I use the f/6.3 focal reducer, I get the full-disk view of the Sun. If I don't use the focal reducer, I get a magnified view that is approximately 25%-35% of the full disk.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Robb...

I have found that the red impairs an unnatural red tint to the disk....too dark.

The Yellow is best.

Adds a nice hue and just enough contrast.

For serious observers and Astronomers, the magnified view is desired...especially for the first two contact events. For the general public and depending on how tight you get in, there will be those who will not understand what they are looking at.

But for the masses, the full disk brings them the whole experience.

[-=CROMAN=-]

I'm going to get in a close as I can with video and no color filtering. when venus transits I'll run with full disk and an orange filter for the public. I'm not sure of I'll record the whole event. I'll get plenty of pictures though.

[RobbW]

Thanks for the advice. I'll go with yellow filter and full disk for the transit. Yep, I was afraid the general public (non-astronomers) would not really comprehend what they were viewing with a magnified view. Personally, I'd rather see the event magnified, but I think it will definitely put things in better context for the public to see the whole view.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Now...here is the rub that Paulie has brought up prior...

I intend to selfishly keep the magnified zoomed FOV of the 2 contact events to myself and vid it. Then...after - share the views to the general public. My concern is getting the correct area of the solar disk for the first event.

I will have the 90mm refractor attached to the C11 open for direct or projected viewings for the public at all times.

[Paulie pchris00]

Robb, I agree that yellow is the best way to view the Sun, at least among the filters you listed. I'll probably use my red, too, but only because I'll be using multiple scopes, and have only one yellow filter. If the red doesn't go over well, I'll take it off, but I think some color is better than none.

After second contact, and Venus is fully upon the solar disk, go with a full disk view of the Sun. I would make an exception if Venus passes near a large sunspot or sunspot group. Otherwise, the view after second contact doesn't change much, just Venus moving further from the limb.

I've mentioned it to some of the crew, probably a couple of other threads, and Joe has brought it up again. Historically and scientifically, the real action is between first and second contact, and later, between third and fourth contact. We only get the first two. The ingress lasts only about twenty minutes (see Curt's graphics for more exact timings). The first twenty minutes are when the geeks like us will get the most enjoyment, I think. It will be the most photogenic time of the transit also, unless, as I said earlier, Venus passes near some nice sunspots. If possible, try to observe the ingress undisturbed. I'm not permitting the general public to view through my telescopes until after Venus is fully in front of the Sun, and the black drop thread broken. It should be enough for most people just to witness the rare spectacle of Venus black against the Sun. I already have signs made explaining that I will be observing the contacts in the tradition of early astronomers, and would appreciate being left alone to observe. The signs also say that I will be happy to show the transit after second contact. I won't feel the least bit bad about being selfish during ingress; I've been waiting almost eight years to see it.

Joe, keep in mind that Venus will be crossing the northern part of the Sun. Your knowledge of celestial mechanics will tell you that Venus will be coming from east of the Sun. I'm sure when the moment comes, you'll have Venus centered as soon as it makes contact, no matter how much magnification you start with. And if all else fails, there's probably an app for that.