Peter B Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 I set my 102mm refractor up with the solar filter to look at some sun spots. Nice session, and when I'd had enough I popped the eyepiece cover back on but then made a mistake. I took the solar filter off the end of the scope before turning the scope away from the sun and instantly smelled plastic burning. I realized my mistake and quickly turned the scope away from the sun. With the telescope pointing at the sun without the solar filter it took literally an instant to burn a hole in the plastic eyepiece cover. Proof of the warnings if ever there was one! 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 Phew glad you caught it before it caused anymore damage. Sunlight at a focus point is not good. I remember from being a kid melting tar (we called it pitch) with a magnifying glass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter B Posted February 22 Author Share Posted February 22 Yes, the sun's a pretty scary target. It took me a long time to trust my solar filter and even now I'm extremely careful when i use it for viewing as against photography. You need to have your wits about you when you're on the sun which this time mine unfortunately were not and it's just as well it wasn't my camera or I think it would have been bye bye camera! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caldwell 14 Posted February 24 Share Posted February 24 If you can afford a Herschel wedge buy one. Much safer to use and provides better surface detail too, especially with a good continuum filter. Using a wedge has changed the whole white light solar experience for me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted February 24 Share Posted February 24 I agree. I have the Altair Herschel wedge and can really recommend it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter B Posted February 26 Author Share Posted February 26 Thanks for the heads up on the Herschel wedge. I think that's worth raiding the piggy bank for! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carbon Brush Posted March 6 Share Posted March 6 I use a 'Brewster angle' Herschel wedge. Lacerta made. I won't start on the sales pitch about Brewster angle vs conventional 90deg. I have been happy with my choice. HTH, David. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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