B-SIG Meeting Saturday June 13th

[defalkner]

This month’s B-SIG meeting will be held on Saturday, June 13th at 1 PM at Eagle Lake Observatory. This month will be the first of two meetings devoted to the Sun, solar observing and stellar evolution.

Saturday we will be doing solar observing, weather permitting, and making solar filters. Those who would like a solar filter for their telescope or binoculars will need to bring the optical tube assembly to the meeting. It’s important that the filter be fitted properly to prevent an accident that could spell disaster. I will be bringing the materials and tools we will need for making the filters.

We will charge a nominal fee of $0.25/sq. in. of solar material used for the filter. So, for example, if you have a 4” diameter telescope then you will be charged 4” x 4” x $0.25 or $4.00 for the materials. Cash or checks only, please.

In order to ensure we have enough supplies for everyone please respond to this post if you are planning on coming and making a solar filter for your telescope along with the size of the telescope.

We’re looking forward to seeing you.

[Onego98]

Hello,

I'm planning to be there with a 4 " refractor. It sounds like it will be a fun event!

Scott

[Enberg]

Quick note - you should plan on using (and paying for) a piece of solar film at least 2" bigger than your telescope so you have room to secure the film into the frame around the edges. Post the actual size of your telescope, and plan your estimated cost based on larger. Example 4" telescope, plan on 6" square of solar film, 6" x 6" x 0.25=$9.00

If you have a big telescope (8" or larger) you may want to consider a modified "off-axis" design where the solar filter is smaller and the rest of your aperature is masked. The coaches can help you with this.



Nancy

[aggregory]

I will attend the solar filter making activity, and will bring my 8-inch reflector with a 50 mm finder.

Antone

[Onego98]

Hello,

Along with my 4 inch refractor there is a 50 mm finder scope.

Scott

[bhamil]

Dave and Nancy,
Thanks for doing this white light solar filter construction. This sounds like fun. My daughter, Rachel, and I will plan on coming out next Sunday. I will bring my 8"SCT as I would like to make a filter for that scope. Could I also make one for my Telrad?
We will see on Saturday the 13th.
Brandon

[mmattson]

I will plan on making it down. I will have a 5" reflector and might want to do this for my 70mm binoculars as well.

Mark

[RobertLeonard]

Hello we are joining MAS and would like to attend this meeting

We would like to build filters for the following...

8" Truss Dob (should have the truss cover completed by this meeting) so ~3" off axis aperture, (4" sq. film)
DSLR lens filter 3" aperture, (4" sq film)
3" Dob- either 1" off axis or 3" aperture- any recommendations on this one?
I'd also like to do 70mm Binoculars (2 x 4"sq film) and get a replacement piece of solarfilm for my 8" SCT which has a 2.5" off axis aperture solar cover (3" sq film) if you have enough.

We can also bring our Sun-In-A-Box rear projection solar telescope for observing, unfortunately the Sun is kinda quiet as far as sunspots go lately. I'd be happy to show how it's made if anyone is interested. (5 gal bucket, chair gliders, and vinyl rear projection screen)

Getting ready for 2017!

The Leonard Family

[RobertLeonard]

If anyone needs a solar finderscope, this has been an awesome solution-

Just two parallel opaque surfaces, the front has a 1/16" pinhole, the rear is marked after you center the sun in the scope.

Then to find the sun again, you just align the projected sun dot with your mark.

[Bugandmonkey]

I am planning on attending the meeting on Saturday. I have a 9.25 inch SCT.

Thanks,

Josh Carlyle

[PalmSprings]

I will be attending with my 9x63 binoculars so count this viewer for solar film material.

Alan Noot

[Mark Schindler]

I plan on attending. Will be bringing a pair of binoculars and 9.25 SCT.

[Browncoat2112]

I will be there with a 5 in reflector

[Aquila]

I plan on coming. I would like to see if I can make filter for
10x50 binoculars.

[Dave-]

I have a 4 inch telescope. I plan on attending if you think you will have enough solar material for this large a group.

Dave Sjogren

[ThomasArndt]

Dear Dave and Nancy,
I would like to make solar filters for two 50mm and one 32mm objectives. Thank you.

Cordially,
--Tom Arndt

[defalkner]

Greetings – the response for the B-SIG meeting tomorrow which includes making solar filters has been tremendous. Here are some guidelines for tomorrow.

1. The activity runs from 1pm to 3pm tomorrow. We will make the number of filters that time permits.
2. We will be asking that each person make one filter at a time. This will ensure everyone will be able to make at least one filter and we should have enough material.
3. Folks should plan to bring the Optical Tube Assembly (OTA) of their telescope so we can get a snug fit for the filter. If you can’t bring the OTA for some reason bring the measurements for the opening of the OTA (not the objective since the OTA is larger than the objective).
4. Don’t forget we are charging 25 cents per square inch of solar material used to defray costs. We prefer cash but will take checks.

We will be in the classroom with overflow to the Onan Observatory if necessary.

See you tomorrow!

Dave Falkner
B-SIG Coordinator

[gunnar2]

Hi Dave and Nancy
I will be attending with my two nephews. Sorry about the late response.

My nephew has a 4 inch telescope. We will build a filter for that scope.

I have built a filter for my 80mm apo.

Thank you. Sounds like a great event.

Gunnar

[booth]

Hi Dave,

Sorry for the late notice as I just now worked it out that I can attend. I will be bringing a 4" telescope.

Mike

[veronicaz]

My husband Robert and I plan to attend the B-SIG Meeting on Saturday June 13th. We have a 10" Dobsonian Sky Watcher telescope.

Veronica Zardain-Dix

[setnes]

I'm another late entry.

I plan to bring my 6" reflector tomorrow. I believe the OTA is 7.17".

[Steve Baranski]

I plan to stop out for telescope exchange, but will not be making any filters this time around.

Steve

[Newbe15]

An even later response, just found out about the need for a forum posting. I plan on attending and would like to build a filter. I will be bringing a Celestron Nextstar 8se ( slightly over 9 inches outside diameter).

Thanks,
Dave

[Onego98]

I won't be able to make it to this. I am hosting my nephews and we will be checking out the Space exhibit at the Science Museum.

[RobertLeonard]

Just wanted to say thank you to Dave and all who helped run this event, (sorry I'm new to MAS and still learning names).

Robert