How can you tell if your telescope needs a solar filter? If you’re like many amateur astronomers, the answer to that question may be that I have no idea, but I’m pretty sure mine does! In reality, though, most telescopes don’t require such an accessory unless you plan on observing the sun directly or getting pictures of it. However, even if that doesn’t describe you, there are benefits to having one — which is why the number of people using filters has grown recently even if they weren’t sure they needed them in the first place.
A filter kit includes the filter itself, a set of installation instructions, and an instruction guide on how to use the filter. You will need to know what type of telescope you are using and what your needs are so that you can choose from a variety of filters available.
Do you have any specific needs? Do you need it for daytime viewing or nighttime viewing? If your needs are more specialized, do not worry, there are other companies that provide solar filters specifically for your needs. However, if your telescope does not fit into one of these categories then any solar filter will work just fine.
After purchasing a solar filter, you might be wondering how to test its quality. You can do this by looking at the Sun’s limb with your naked eye and then through your telescope. This will help you determine how much light is passing through your solar filter. The Sun should appear as a red circle. If it appears as a white circle, there is too much light passing through and you should try another filter. However, if the Sun has an orange colour after viewing it through your scope, there is not enough light passing through and you need a stronger filter. It is important that you view the Sun with only one eyepiece at a time while testing your solar filter for telescope in order to get accurate readings of the amount of light passing through.
When installing a solar filter on your telescope, it is very important that you do not overlook any of the steps. The following are some installation tips that will help make sure you get started off on the right foot.
1) Make sure your telescope is in a location where you can safely set up a solar viewer and not have to move it after installation. This will help avoid any potential damage to either your viewer or your telescope.
2) Remove any optics from your telescope before installation of the solar filter, as this can cause scratches on both lenses if not done properly.
3) Keep in mind that when using thin film filters, you need to be careful when handling them because they are easily scratched or damaged by fingerprints.
4) It’s best to lay the solar filter out with its side facing up, so that gravity may help keep any dust particles at the bottom of the glass instead of being spread over its surface.
5) Remember to always store your filter flat on its back in a cool place with no direct sunlight, which can shorten its lifespan considerably.
6) After completing installation, clean any dirt or dust particles from the surface of your solar filter with an optical-quality soft cloth dipped in distilled water.
7) After cleaning, dry all surfaces thoroughly with a lint-free cloth until there is no longer any visible moisture on them.
main photo: unsplash.com/Jennifer Lim-Tamkican
