Convert a telescope for solar viewing



How to make a solar filter for your telescope.

For observing the Sun, a solar filter is required to filter out the Suns harmful rays like Ultra Violet light. Never use a telescope/ optical device to directly observe the Sun without a safe solar filter. This filter sits on the objective lens or over the aperture of a Newton or Dobs type telescope, NOT ON THE EYEPIECE.

For a homemade solar filter, which gives "white-light" views I used Baader Astro Solar Safety Film, which is made from a high-strength polymer foil. Shown here is the BAADER AstroSolar neutral density 5.0. They also produce neutral density filter of 3.8 for photography.
 


Making a center axis solar filter for Meade  ETX 70 Telescope

I used the dew shield cap from an old 60mm refractor. Luckily this cap fits perfectly into the dew shield from the ETX70 scope.

Baader solar filter neutral density 5.0 Dew shield for Meade ETX70 + cap from an old 60mm telescope. 60mm telescope cap with filter taped to the inside aperture opening Solar Cap Solar modification to ETX-70AT


Making a full aperture solar filter for Meade a ETX 70 Telescope

If you choose to make your own filter, it is important to use materials that are specially designed for use as solar filters. You must inspect it by holding it up to a bright light, not the sun, to check it for any pinholes before use.
If you find any damage at all, do not use the filter.

Outline traced on to card from lens cap Half inch foam with folded A4 cardboard sheet with dual holes cut out Half-inch foam cutout with folded card and cover Solar Cell for ETX 70 Telescope Both folds stapled together - Solar Cell for ETX 70 Telescope Solar cell - foam collar and cover cut-out ext70_solar_telescope_7 Meade ETX 70 solar telescope


Making a solar filter for a Meade LXD75 optical tube assembly.

Template for semi-full aperture for a Meade LXD75 6 inch scope 5 inch hole cut in two sheets of card for Meade LXD75 Solar film taped between the card cut-outs Solar filter cell for Meade LXD75 Card strips stapled together to fit over the telescope tube and attach to the solar cell Collar and Solar cell sections taped and stapled together Tin foil over the outer cell to stop stray sunlight entering the scope Covered with another card cut-out Meade lxd 75 Solar Telescope photo 1 Meade lxd 75 Solar Telescope photo 1 Hole drilled into the telescope cap off-axis_solar cell taped on.


Cleaning the optics for solar viewing
OTA - optical tube assembly LXD 75
 
LXD75 optical tube assembly with secondary mirror removed LXD75 optical tube assembly with primary and secondary mirrors removed LXD75 secondary mirror where dust has built up Dust removed using a camel hair brush and vacuum cleaner Primary and secondary mirrors have been cleaned with distilled water LXD75 primary + secondary mirrors ready to go back into the tube meade_lxd75_off_axis_solar_telescope Meade lxd75 solar telescope Solar telescopes in action
Telescope Specifications
Meade OTA N-6 AT
Type Newtonian
Aperture 6" (152mm)
Focal Ratio f/5
Focal Length 762mm
Site Meade
Eyepieces
2 inch Moonfish 32mm Wide Scan 70° | Site:
2 inch Moonfish 15mm Ultrawide 80° | Site: Moonfish
Camera
Model Traveler DC 7900
f = 6.1 - 18.3 mm
Pixel 7.0 mega pixel
Zoom 3 x optical
Zoom 4 x digital
Site Traveler

Telescope Mount / Tripod
Mount EQ5 Heavy-Duty EQ Mount | Site: Optical Vision
Drive Dual-Axis Motor Drive for EQ5 | Site: Sky-Watcher
Tripod 2" stainless steel pipe tripod.
 
Telescope Modifications
Baader solar filter neutral density 5.0
Lee Filters
Focuser 1.25'/2' Rack and Pinion Focuser | Site: Optical Vision
Auto Focuser SkyWatcher Auto-Focuser | Site: Pulsar Optical
Finder scope Fully-coated 9x50 achromatic finder scope | Site: SkyWatcher