Reddit mentions: The best telescope filters

No worries, busy time for sure! I'm pretty new to Telescopes myself, my family got me my XT8 for my First Father's day this year. I've done a ton of research since then, and am always excited to share knowledge. Not a lot of people I know share my hobbies, so you can private message me anytime and I'll have fun giving advice or discussing it.

If you don't buy the XT8 off Craigslist, I'd recommend from their [Clearance page](https://www.telescope.com/2nd-Orion-SkyQuest-XT8-Classic-Dobsonian-Telescope/p/102342.uts). It's mostly returns that they've thoroughly inspected and come with a 1 year warranty. That's how I got mine and it was in New Condition, usually around 25% off.

Planets like Jupiter and Saturn are easy, they are typically the brightest objects in the sky so you really only need a phone app to tell you what days they will be in the night sky. I really like the Stellarium app, I paid for the full version but I think the free is still really good. Deep space objects (called DSOs) are things like Nebula, Galaxies and Star Clusters. Finding these can be like finding a needle in a haystack with how big our night sky is. For this I would highly recommend the book [Turn Left at Orion]( https://www.amazon.com/Turn-Left-Orion-Hundreds-Telescope/dp/1108457568/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=turn+left+at+orion&qid=1575054480&sr=8-1 ). Apps can help find these things, but looking at a phone can make you lose your night vision and you don't pick up as much detail in these DSOs. It is recommended to only use red light when using a telescope which doesn't hurt your night vision, eventually you'll want a red flashlight, [I use this one]( https://www.amazon.com/Celestron-93588-Astro-Vision-Flashlight/dp/B0000665V5/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=celestron+red+light&qid=1575054716&sr=8-2 ) which works best if you put opaque tape over the clear window in front to diffuse the light.

As far as finding objects goes you'll use a couple of things. Every telescope has a finder scope of some sort. The XT8 has a red dot finder scope, which is a little window you look through on the outside of the scope and it superimposes a red dot on the object you're looking for. So if you put the red dot on the moon say, and then look through your actual eyepiece you should be looking at the moon. It's similar to a rifle scope. For DSOs you will do what is called Star Hopping. You find a bright star that is near by what you are looking for. Then you find dimmer stars that you can still see with the naked eye. Usually I find two stars that are on either side of the object then estimate where the object should be, put my red dot here and then do a little scanning with the telescope until I find what I'm looking for. Use a low magnification lens (like the 25mm) to search. There's more scientific ways to do it, but it works for me every time. Takes some practice. It's also confusing in that if you move the scope one way, it might make the image in the scope move the opposite direction. It takes practice and patience, but with time it becomes 2nd nature.

The included 10mm and 25mm are pretty good for planets and the moon, but will fall short for DSOs. If you're willing to spend another ~$100 dollars right out the gate on accessories I'd buy a [zoom lens]( https://www.amazon.com/Celestron-93230-24mm-1-25-Eyepiece/dp/B0007UQNV8/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=8-24+zoom&qid=1575055505&sr=8-1) that allows you to change the magnification and an [eyepiece that provides higher magnification]( https://www.amazon.com/SVBONY-Telescope-Eyepiece-Accessories-Astronomy/dp/B07JWDFMZ4/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=svbony%2B6&qid=1575055611&sr=8-1&th=1) (get the 6 mm option) than the zoom or the provided lenses. Later, if you want to spend another ~$130 on more options at eyepiece I'd by the 9mm option from the 2nd link there and a [wide angle lens]( https://www.amazon.com/Agena-Super-Wide-Angle-Eyepiece/dp/B00YO60I9E/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=agena+32&qid=1575055724&sr=8-2) that makes it easier to find objects by showing more of the night sky. When in comes to eyepieces, make sure you know the math of magnification. You take the Focal Length of the scope, 1200mm for the XT8, and divide it by the number in mm on an eyepiece. I.e. a 12 mm eyepiece would be 1200/12 = 100x magnification. Don't bother with Barlows, a Zoom takes care of that by giving you an infinite spectrum between 50 - 150x and the 6 mm gives your 200x. That is plenty for basically all viewing conditions.

The [Moon Brightness Filter]( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076MP3T66/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) is nice if the Moon hurts your eyes to look at, but it might be worth just looking at the moon first before spending the $20. You can't actually hurt your eyes looking, but it can definitely shock your eye. Also, higher magnification always means dimmer so zooming in can naturally act as a filter. I wouldn't bother with other filters. Most are crap and don't contribute much.

In summary: To really feel prepared when going out for the first time you should have a book that you studied ahead of time for what you want to look for (The book is broken down by Season and what is viewable during that time) and a red light to see the book. The provided 25mm will be okay to search with, and the 10mm will let you see more of it, but you will want something better soon like the zoom or the 6mm Svbony lens. Make sure your Telescope is [collimated]( https://lovethenightsky.com/telescope-collimation-for-complete-beginners/) and your finder scope is lined up with your scope (the Telescope manual walks through this, do it during the day). Bring chairs and warm clothing. Lastly bring your patience. Hope this was helpful with how long it was, and I hope you and your kiddo have a ball!

I've tested the eyepieces of the kit, and they're not good value. I would go for fewer but better eyepieces. A Celestron 32mm omni for wide views (due to a wider apparent field of view, you will get wider views than when using the 40mm one). For higher magnifications (ie: shorter focal lengths of the eypieces for the same telescope), lots of experienced people suggest getting the "gold-line" eyepieces as a starting point, sometimes branded as svbony. They are supposed to have a very decent quality for the price you pay if you choose the shorter focal length ones and use them in a long focal ratio telescope, like the 6SE and other Cassegrains (f/10). See for example the 10mm and 4 mm ones. They have longer eye relief than the short focal length eyepieces of the kit (meaning that they don't requiere you to put your eye too close to the eyepiece), and they have a wide field of view (so you don't feel like you're looking through a straw). The wider versions (20,30-ish mm) of the gold-lines seem to be not that good. They suggest to look for ghosting (diffuse internal reflections) and as for a replacement if needed. You can research that aspect if you will.
Another good option seems to be the Agena Starguider Dual ED series, also better in slower (higher focal ratio) telescopes, with good field of view and eye relief. It seems they are not available in Amazon Canada, but check this in the US store.


Although using eyepieces by themselves will get you better quality, a decent enough barlow is a good idea to get more magnification if needed. The celestron omni 2x barlow is good enough for a start.


Maybe get a moon filter. Not sure if this is good enough. Note: the so called "skyglow and moon filter" is to partially diminish the natural night glow of the atmosphere, and the atmospheric glow due to the moon, and work better in darker skies.

I recently bought a C6 optical tube assembly (OTA), basically the same as the 6SE. I have not received it yet but as for eyepieces I got the celestron omni 32 mm, I'll be testing the stock 25mm Plossl that comes with the OTA, I added a Meade series 5000 HD-60 9mm for higher magnification adn good eye relief, and the celestron 2x barlow. The latter will allow me to expand the set as if I had a 18mm (=32mm/2), 12.5mm (25mm/2) and 4.5mm (9mm/2), which don't overlap my actual set, while keeping relatively wide fields of view and good eye relief, but with a small penalty for the extra glass in the optical path.

Also, note that the magnification you will get will be limited in reality by the stability of the atmosphere of the moment and place you are observing from. For planetary and lunar observation you will probably want to magnify as much as you can. The 6SE is capable in theory of getting usable magnifications a bit above 300x. But getting 300x magnifications will probably be feasible only a few nights when the atmosphere is stable. You get that with a 5mm eyepiece in the 6SE, which has a 1500mm focal length. Your magnification will equal the focal length of the telescope divided by the focal length of your eyepiece: 1500mm/5mm = 300. So you are better off with less magnification for MOST of the nights, since you will be able to use that more often. Also, when using the 6SE with the nexstar mount, you will have a bit less of stability, due to the support of just one arm and the quality of the mount and tripod. This makes observing with higher magnifications a bit more cumbersome, since any light touch, like when you are focusing, will make your object move a lot for a short while.

For astrophotography, use a T-adapter and a T-ring. The latter should match the mount of the camera you will be using; in your case it should be one for Canon cameras.

A telescope is not out of your range if you know what you really want and can save for it. I have a "smaller" one, but having a larger diameter opening allows you to capture more light and peer deeper in to space. You should get what you want and strive to save for it. I want to go bigger, maybe an XT10 computerized.

My telescope is good, in fact it over-preformed every time I went out. The one gripe I have about almost almost every inexpensive telescope is that it is not motorized. We live on a spinning rock in the galaxy so the telescope needs to be constantly adjusted. All you do with the motorized is find 3 stars and it can take you on a tour of the universe. It does a lot of the work for you so you wont accidentally lose what you were looking at.

I'd also recommend buying some filters, It helps when you look at the moon or nebulae.

Also, instead of swapping eyepieces for closing in on objects, this zoom lens is extremely helpful. With just a twist you can go from 8mm to 24mm. I own that exact model and it's great, plus you cant lose

It seems expensive, but if you really want it, you'll find ways to save and get it. I hope this helps and when you DO make a final decision I'd like to know what its is.

Billions and Billions

Hello,

Overview eyepiece

Sadly the XT6 only has a 1.25" focuser AFAIK, so a wide-angle overview eyepiece is not really an option. A 32mm Plössl would show a little bit more (Difference similar to the first two images here). There's also a 40mm Plössl but the 1.25" limits the maximum field, it will just have a narrower apparent field of view.


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Planetary eyepiece:

A 6mm eyepiece would give you 200x magnification, which is nice for planets :-) Don't get a cheap Plössl though as the eye relief is short.


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Mid-range

A ~15mm is a universal. The image won't be as dim as with the 6mm, and ideal for many clusters, nebulae and galaxies that don't require overly high magnifications anyway.

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Eyepiece type / recommendation

As you did not mention a budget, but that the 8" was too expensive, consider these budget eyepieces: The "gold line". Basically the same as the "Orion Expanse" but cheaper. They have a 66° wide angle apparent field of view while costing only slightly more than more simple eyepieces.

• http://corvus-optics.com/product/ultrawide-eyepieces/
  
  
• You can get it at Aliexpress or DHGate for $24-$27.
  
  .
  
  Other eyepieces
  
  Cheaper eyepieces would be the Plössl eyepieces. $17-$22.50 at Corvus optics, but they have a smaller apparent field of view (52°, also see this) and the short ones have horrible eye relief.
  
  Better eyepieces would be the Luminos or Explore Scientific with "ultra wide" 82° afov... But they cost much more.
  
  You'll read about Barlows a lot that double (or triple) the magnification. But especially the cheap ones will ad chromatic aberration and other issues. While it is nice to "double" every eyepiece's magnification, a dedicated wide-angle eyepiece will work much better than a budget barlow + mediocre kit eyepiece.
  
  .
  
  What to observe
  
  Do you have a starting guide such as "Turn left at Orion" and a dim red light? It won't simply show you where to find objects (like an App would), but also what's worthwhile observing, how to observe, and what to expect. Also it preserves night-vision better than a back-lit display...
  
  .
  
  TL;DR:
  
  (32mm overview) + 15mm wide angle (deep-sky) + 6mm wide angle (planets) is a decent palette. Gaps can be filled later.
  
  Perhaps a cheap moon filter;

You said you live in the Berkshires, which google says is in Massachusetts, there's a partial solar eclipse which will be visible in your area on August 21 at around 1:30pm and ends at around 4:00.

You can buy a solar filter. Here's a link for one that should cover the aperture.

https://www.amazon.com/Solar-Filter-Telescopes-Binoculars-Cameras/dp/B00DS7S52W

Be very careful when looking at the Sun, make sure there are no holes in the filter by holding it up and making sure no bright points peek through. Cover up the aperture securely. You might have to aim it by eye and making adjustments with the hand control but use a low power eyepiece and I think it won't be too much trouble.

Set your telescope to tracking Solar, and have a great couple of hours!

Glad you're loving the telescope, I've had the same one for almost a year and I absolutely love it. I'd recommend you get rechargeable batteries because in my experience, it uses them up like crazy, or maybe I just stay out at night for too long. :)

Also, you could buy a camera to attach to it. Decent ones are a few hundred dollars, I'm not sure which would be best for you. It depends on the objects you'd want to photograph.

Anyway, Jupiter and Saturn will be pretty high up in the night sky for the next few months, so you could see those. Although for the next few days the Moon might create a problem.

Here is an approximate eye (iphone) view of Saturn through an Orion 80A which is about double the cost of the Goscope. The Goscope view will be similar size but likely slightly dimmer and fuzzier due to lower quality optics.

Jupiter will look something like this. On a really clear, dark night you may just make out the two most prominent cloudbelts.

The moon always looks great through anything, though I would recommend you get a moon filter unless you want to be dazzling yourself. Old man moon is very bright.

These are just approximate views to help you get an idea of what to expect. Hope it helps.

You don't need a filter during totality but you need a special solar filter up to and after totality or you'll fry you camera. I bought this filter and I am making a rig to pop it on and off quickly. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DS7S52W/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_VPFIzbVG6AYXP

This video might also be helpful if you have not shot the sun before

https://youtu.be/S_nnEDwv19k

Have Fun and Good Luck!😊

This is very helpful! Thank you so much.

Any advice on a filter? Something like this? http://www.amazon.com/Orion-5560-1-25-Inch-Variable-Polarizing/dp/B0069VY9CO There are a number with a set transmission percentage, but I'm guessing you think the variable filters are worth it?

I've thought about a tripod... The base of the table top mount can screw into any old tripod, so I may give that a try sometime. But it seems like it would be a little awkward. With a scope like mine, is it possible to detach the body of the telescope from the base and attach it directly to a tripod? Most I see don't look like they were made for mine. And they also seem overpriced, but that's another story. :)

Thanks again for your help.

I would like to point this out:

>And don’t settle for a 99% partial eclipse just outside the path. “There’s no comparison between partial and total solar eclipses when it comes to sheer grandeur and beauty,” Michael Zeiler, longtime eclipse chaser and creator of the Great American Eclipse website told Universe Today. We witnessed the 1994 annular solar eclipse of the Sun from the shores of Lake Erie, and can attest that a 99% partial eclipse is still pretty darned bright!

Do yourself a favor and make the short trip up to the Nashville area where you can see "Totality" for up to 2 minuites and 40 seconds.

I also recommend a good pair of solar sunglasses and maybe a good pair of binoculars with a solar filter.

Do not ever stare directly at the sun without protective gear on

I just want to thank everyone on here for all the info given to me to get up and started. I am now preparing for the super moon everyone is talking about for next weekend. I will probably get this from Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Variable-Polarizing-Eyepiece-Telescope-Polarizer/dp/B0143PRR08/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1478365060&sr=8-3&keywords=2%22+variable+polarizing+eyepiece

It would be nice to get it in time for next week. I plan on having the telescope out in the deck at my coworker's place in Tehachapi, CA and have coffee while stargazing. Much appreciated for sharing all your wisdom!

What would be an ideal telescope for imaging, with a mirrorless DSLR, the moon. I am looking to try to image the USA and Soviet moon landing sites from this book. I think it would also be fun to try to capture the other objects in the book as well.

​

Side note, I also recently got my first taste of solar imaging and I enjoyed it so if I could use the scope for both items that would be awesome.

​

Edit: Equipment I currently have:

• Orion Sirius EQ-G mount so it needs to fit on that mount
  
• Sony A7iii Mirrorless camera or Canon 5Dii DSLR
  
• Sigma 150-600m F5-6.3 C, camera lens

Hey, sorry i'm a little late to the party. I just got the same telescope last week, and it is awesome! I just picked up a couple things.

• A 2x Barlow Lens
  
  This One.
  
  and
  
  
• A Moon Filter
  
  This One
  
  The moon is still fairly bright with the filter, so you may want to get the 25% instead of the 13%, although im happy with it.
  
  I also got this sky chart, but it's obviously not that necessary. Keep in mind, i'm still a newbie, so take my recommendations with a grain of salt. Have fun! :)

I can't seem to find any for my z8 specifically. The orion one's I found seem to only fit that brand.

I did find this from telescope plus but I'm not sure which one would be the best fit for mine.

EDIT:

Or can I just as easily use this material safely and rig something up?

Get a moon filter for next time - pretty cheap and makes for some fantastic moon-viewing as it reduces a lot of that extra light.

Fun fact that I didn't realize (I was looking at it a couple nights ago) is that the side visible in your photograph actually comprises the locations of the moon landings. Pretty neat!

That setup is similar to what I'm doing. My prime camera will be a 600mm on my Nikon D810, and then I have a GoPro on a rotating head shooting panorama movies, and a Nikon D600 on a Syrp Genie Mini shooting still panoramas. The environment on the ground during an eclipse is also interesting, but it's never anything I get a chance to look at.

If you plan to shoot the partial phases, you MUST have a proper solar filter on the front of the lens. If you already have one, then go out today and start practicing with it NOW, the correct exposure depends on the filter.

For work with the 500, the correct exposure during the partial phase will not change. More of the Sun is being covered, but the part that is exposed is still the same brightness. For the wider lenses, exposure obviously will change as it gets darker.

I see that Amazon is still advertising a 4x4 sheet of Thousand Oaks filter, but the price has gone up a buck just in the last hour:

https://www.amazon.com/Solar-Filter-Telescopes-Binoculars-Cameras/dp/B00DS7IFQS/ref=sr_1_1

Thousand Oaks is one of the very best manufacturers of optical-quality solar filters.

For shooting totally, bracketing is your friend. Set the camera on manual and then just bracket like mad, at least five stops in both directions of what your camera claims is correct. Different exposures will give you much different details in the cornoa, there is no one "correct" exposure. If you have a whole range of exposures, you pick the one you like, or combine them all with HDR software.

Needless to say, the 500 MUST be on a sturdy tripod, and you should also use a cable release.

Honestly, I wouldn't sweat viewing conditions. If you're getting a starter scope, it'll be good for observing the moon, planets, binary stars, and open clusters like the Pleiades. That will keep you and the kids busy for a while, and all of them can be seen pretty easily even in light-polluted skies. Besides, from personal experience, kids prefer immediate gratification and convenience. They're not going to want to drive out to the country.

However, if light pollution proves to be a problem, just get one of these...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LGZNMGG

It screws on the eyepieces and selectively removes the light from vapor lamps.

I will be in the path of totality for the solar eclipse and would like to photograph the stages of the eclipse. I looked up solar filters for my camera and the cheapest I could find was around US$70, which is far out of my price range (I was hoping to spend no more than $30.) Would something like this sheet work, if I affix it to my camera somehow? https://www.amazon.com/Solar-Filter-Telescopes-Binoculars-Cameras/dp/B00DS7S52W

I have a Canon Powershot SX400 IS for reference. I am not a huge fan of this camera but I was able to get some beautiful, high res images of the lunar eclipse with it. Also, any tips on photographing a solar eclipse are very welcome as I am by no means a photographer!

I picked up a solar filter that simply attaches to my lens hood so that when it's time to shoot the Corona, I can just pop off the hood. Take a look on youtube and there are a few decent videos. Here is one that I like. You'll also want to do some bracketing to ensure good coverage since you only get 2 minutes to shoot. Check your tripod out too, make sure you can shoot at a 63degree angle since that will be the angle for the path of totality. You want to make sure your tripod arm doesn't get stopped at a less angle against the legs. Definitely practice now with the sun. But make sure you have a solar filter.

Solar filter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OXKGUS4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_36fzzReeddTDO

Vids
https://youtu.be/u0ZofAlT5TU
https://youtu.be/P4udTzWUAtQ
https://youtu.be/tsA7wSXePeM

An ok scope on a flimsy/shaky tripod will annoy you real fast. And a shaky equatorial mount is doubly annoying. The scope you list may be ok but their mounts are suspect.

You should leave some room in your budget for additional decent eyepieces (think plossl), a moon filter, and maybe a 2x barlow (don't go crazy with 5x.. you won't be happy). An ok zoom eyepiece may be pleasing to start.

Dobsonians have a sturdy base and are great suggestions. You may need to columnate them now and then and they can be bulky so travel is tough even sometimes getting it in and out of house/apt especially if stairs are involved.

Consider a small Maksutov such as Celestron c90 on a sturdy photo tripod. That should leave you plenty of room in your budget for accessories.

The c90 comes with erect image finder and diagonals so you can use this system during the day, too, for bird watching or whatever.. increasing its usefulness.

https://www.amazon.ca/Celestron-52268-Spotting-scope-Black/dp/B0038QYRDO/

https://www.amazon.ca/Celestron-93230-24mm-1-25-Eyepiece/dp/B0007UQNV8/

https://www.amazon.ca/Gosky-Variable-Polarizing-Telescopes-Eyepiece/dp/B010UH5SL8

https://www.amazon.ca/Celestron-Omni-2X-Barlow-Lens/dp/B00008Y0TM

edit:
Don't forget to save some budget for a solar filter such as....

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OXKGUS4

I used this on the last eclipse. Planning to use it for the mercury transit as well. So far I haven't gone blind, and it's a good scope for the moon as well.

https://www.amazon.com/Meade-Day-Night-Telescope-EclipseView/dp/B06ZYHC6S8/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=eclipseview&qid=1571862672&sr=8-1

Actually immediately after I posted this I started wondering if I'd be better off to put a solar filter on my 10x50 binoculars.

A camera shop should have just about everything you'll need to clean up your eyepieces. In particular, look for an alcohol-based lens cleaner (something safe for lens coatings), a Lens Pen (these things are fantastic), and a Rocket Blower.

Use the blower to remove any loose dust, and the Lens Pen to clean up the rest. If there's still dirt/oil/whatever on the eyepieces, spray some of the lens cleaner on an unscented (no aloe or anything) Kleenex, and wipe down the lens. If all the dust is on the outside of the eyepiece, cleanup should be easy!

Aligning the finderscope is pretty easy too. Do it during the day if possible. Aim the telescope first, and point to something easy to find (like a tree on a nearby hill), then tweak the finder to aim at the same object.

You'll probably want to try to buy a lunar filter eventually. A 6" telescope is great for the moon, but the unfiltered light will be uncomfortable to look at.

What sort of eyepieces do you have? What are their focal lengths?

I found a cheaper alternative to expensive solar lens filters. Great to use over telescopes and high power cameras to view the sun.

Thousand Oaks Optical 6"x6" Solar Filter Sheet for Telescopes, Binoculars and Cameras https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01770FDAC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_oNKWDbDVDBPJR

Unfortunately, it is supposed to snow for us on Monday. I hope you have better weather!

With my ETX 90 (just the optical tube)being a grab and go, sitting by the door,scope, I was set up for visual viewing, so when I threw on the eyepiece point and shoot camera mount, the moon filter was already on the Meade 26MM Super Plossl LP I had set up and focused for a quick moonie session. My 8 inch Dob is extremely bright, and I use the same eyepiece for moon viewing, but it is blinding, so, hence the Moon filter shot.
http://www.amazon.com/Orion-05662-1-25-Inch-Percent-Transmission/dp/B0000XMUWS/ref=pd_cp_p_0
13 % Transmission reduction of light, bright white light, bouncing off that rock up there.

There are a few things you can do. You can get some solar film and rig it up to sit over the front of your lens. You could do this a number of ways, this being more complicated but probably the nicest way: YouTube video.

The problem is that 105mm on a crop sensor will not render a large image of the sun. It'll probably be too small to see Mercury.

The better solution might be to do the solar film on the telescope and rig up your phone camera to it. I've never tried it, but others have gotten good results from it. Other than that, I would suggest looking at renting a lens and doing the solar filter over that.

Don't fret too much if you miss it, I'll likely miss it in my location, the forecast shows clouds and rain all day. It's not like Venus transits; the next one being 100 years from now. The next Mercury transit is in November 2019.

Look for a skyglow filter to fit your lens. I got this one at 2" diameter, but it was to fit an attachment for my camera to my telescope, but you may be able to find one in more traditional sizes.

edit: or find an adapter maybe?

You have to have a solar filter. To save money you can buy the solar filter sheets like - https://www.amazon.com/Solar-Filter-Telescopes-Binoculars-Cameras/dp/B00DS7IFQS and cut your own filter and mount on like a UV filter...

The ND filter isn't dark enough to safely take pics of the sun. You want a solar filter, something like this:

https://www.amazon.ca/Solar-Filter-Telescopes-Binoculars-Cameras/dp/B00DS7S52W

I ordered this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DS7S52W

At this point it's a bit of a "good luck getting them" thing it seems as nearly everything is out of stock or absurdly priced.

I also saw this at Fry's Electronics for the same price. I cant wait to buy this one. Why? It accepts 1.25 inch eyepiece, so you can buy nice eyepieces and use them on bigger scopes later if you want.

Meade Day and Night Telescope - 227000 EclipseView 82mm Reflecting with Removable Filter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZYHC6S8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_AbG0CbCK07PBC

Is there a good way to mount a flexible sheet as a filter? I'm talking about something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Solar-Filter-Telescopes-Binoculars-Cameras/dp/B00DS7S52W/ I'm not super familiar with square filters, but the mounts I see on amazon seem specific to a particular square filter system? Or can you mount any sheet of material that's the proper size in them?

Amazon is swamped with vendors selling the stuff at random prices. I don't know which ones to believe or trust.

This vendor (Thousand Oaks Optical) has 8x8 for $52.24. This is the cheapest I can find that size.

You could get a solar film kit and make your own. Then the size doesn't matter quite as much since the film itself doesn't need to cover the full aperture (obviously the cardboard or whatever you're using to frame it still does).

Shipping depends on where you live - for me the 4" version of this Thousand Oaks Optical is the only one that says it will be delivered before Monday, but YMMV. I ordered the 8" version of that yesterday thanks to someone else posting about it, and should arrive tomorrow.

I just ordered a moon and skyglow filter from Astromania on Amazon. All of the pictures show it being blue/green colored, but the one I received is red. I wanted the blue/green to counteract the red/orange color I get taking long exposures. Any idea why I would have gotten a red filter? It still says it's a moon/skyglow on the threaded ring, but I don't think this will do what I want it to.

edit: Well color me an idiot.. neodymium glass can apparently look different colors in different light. Why did I not know that?

I use this one and it works as expected. You can make the imagine brighter or dimmer simply by rotating the attachment.

For stuff like the moon, Jupiter, and Saturn, a ~$100 telescope is fine to start with. Some people will say to get binoculars, but I think that it is horribly outdated advice.

Do you have a local astronomy club? If so, it might not be a bad idea to visit one of their public observing nights and check some stuff out.

Even in the middle of light polluted Phoenix, I have no trouble doing sidewalk astronomy on planetary objects, and even a few of the brighter nebulas.

My daughter is just barely out of the "toddler" stage, and uses this telescope on her own to look at the moon: http://www.amazon.com/iOptron-6004-iExplore-Refractor-Telescope/dp/B009S0VT62/ref=sr_1_4?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1394183296&sr=1-4&keywords=telescope

I'd never recommend that telescope to anyone though, but it was a gift from an astronomer friend, and it's cheap enough to where if she breaks it, I'm not out much. Maybe in a couple more years she can start using my 8" dob.

For a telescope suggestion, I'd stay away from any equatorial mounts. Cheap equatorial mounts are more frustrating than anything.

If $100 is your budget, Orion has a nice table-top dob that would make a nice starter scope. http://www.amazon.com/Orion-10012-SkyScanner-Reflector-Telescope/dp/B00D05BIIU/ref=sr_1_6?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1394183296&sr=1-6&keywords=telescope

The problem with the table-top scopes is sometimes it's hard to use the finder scope. Once your daughter becomes familiar with the scope though, she shouldn't have trouble hitting the moon, and Jupiter.

If she plans on looking at the moon a lot, I'd suggest a lunar filter (about $20). http://www.amazon.com/Orion-05662-1-25-Inch-Percent-Transmission/dp/B0000XMUWS/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1394183584&sr=1-1&keywords=lunar+filter

I know that pushes things up to ~150, but upping your budget a bit will pay off well. The toy scopes under $50 aren't really worth bothering with.

If your budget is limited, you could consider the Celestron Firstscope, which is a 3" table-top reflector. Combine a firstscope with a lunar filter, and you are talking about $60 or $70, and would still make an "okay" starter telescope.

As for keeping here interested in space/astronomy you could download and install stellarium on your computer for her. Stellarium is a free/open source planetarium program. Simply set your location, and you can view everything visible in the night skies of your area.

Also, there are a ton of "citizen science" programs your daughter could participate in.

Check out cosmoquest.org and zooniverse.org

Yes, and many people do so. You need to purchase some solar film material and then construct a frame for it using tape and posterboard/cardboard.

If you live in the US and have amazon prime, you can get some Thousand Oaks optical film (this will produce an orange image, instead of white) delivered before Monday if you order soon.

Edit: Just in case, I should specify this filter needs to cover the front opening of the telescope.

Thanks! I used a Mylar solar filter that I made out of a sheet. You can get one from here when they become available again: https://www.amazon.com/Solar-Filter-Telescopes-Binoculars-Cameras/dp/B00DS7IFQS

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Baader-Planetarium-AstroSolar-Solar-Filter/dp/B072XPB9NS I was thinking of this, apparently Baader are quite good make

There is a totally safe solar thin film called “black polymer.” You might have been using that. It makes the sun look a light orange, dark yellow.

> https://www.amazon.com/Solar-Filter-Telescopes-Binoculars-Cameras/dp/B00DS7S52W

Yeah, that stupid moon is SO bright right now. We've gotten some good looks at Jupiter and its moons, but I'm really looking forward to Saturn. What resources are you using to know when Saturn will be high up?

Taken using a Celestron NexImage Burst Color with a Celestron Moon Filter attached to it, set into the eyepiece of a Celestron 114 LCM using the software iCap with all settings set to automatic. This shot in particular was created from a 10 second clip using the software "RegiStax" to process the image.
This was taken in a very light polluted area while the weather was -30 Celsius. I'm hoping to be able to taken clearer shots once it gets warmer.

I ordered this cheap filter and just fit it to the size of my telescope with cardboard, tape, glue, and aluminum foil.

Anybody know where/if I can find some solar film to make a filter for my telescope? Something like this

Here is where I bought mine for the 2017 eclipse. If you have a local welding shop near you, you can use #14 welder's glass too. You can also make your own solar filter glasses by buying solar filter material like this.

My gso comes without a moon filter do i need one. Like this? https://www.amazon.de/dp/B01220Z2BW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ugJxDbSJ78QB1

After doing more research I narrowed it to these 3, for a moon filter, planetary viewing and wide-angle viewing to spend around $180. I am open to outside amazon if you know anywhere that has these. Here they are:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000M89H72?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000XMUWS?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_2&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000XMWXA?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_3&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

So to basically make a shopping list:

• [Skywatcher Skyliner 250PX Dobsonian w/ standard eyepieces] (https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-250px-dobsonian.html)
  
  
• [1.25" Orion 13% Transmission Moon Filter] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/1-25-Orion-Transmission-Moon-Filter/dp/B0000XMUWS) (That should still fit on this scope despite being made by Orion, right?)
  
• [6mm gold line] (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Skywatcher-Ultra-Wide-Multi-Coated-Telescope-Eyepiece-1-25-Fitting-6mm-ONLY-/131812806041?hash=item1eb0a7cd99)
  
• [9mm gold line] (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Skywatcher-Ultra-Wide-Multi-Coated-Telescope-Eyepiece-1-25-Fitting-9mm-ONLY-/401120425032?hash=item5d64a3f448)
  
  > - There is also [this] (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-25-6mm-9mm-Ultra-Wide-Angle-Eyepiece-Set-Fully-Multi-Coated-for-Telescope-Hot-/322443541463?hash=item4b1321fbd7) one selling both 6mm and 9mm together, but they're as priced much lower than two individually would be and it's a different seller, what do you think?
  
  
• [Philip's Moon Map] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Moon-Map-John-Murray/dp/1849073996/)
  
  
• [Turn Left At Orion] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Books/Turn-Left-Orion-Hundreds-Night-Objects-Telescope/0521153972/)
  
  Anything else that'd be recommended?
  

I got this one from Amazon.

I got a sheet of filter on amazon from Thousand Oaks.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DS7SSEW/

I'm using this solar filter sheet. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DS7S52W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Made a makeshift solar filter from it out of cardboard and electrical tape. My camera is a Nikon p900. Certainly not an sophisticated astrophotography set up, but I make due with what I have.

Here ya go!

is it this one?. I need to get a cheap filter that just works.

Maybe make a filter cell with this?


http://www.amazon.com/Solar-Filter-Telescopes-Binoculars-Cameras/dp/B00DS7SSEW/ref=pd_sim_200_6/180-9195801-0456525?ie=UTF8&dpID=41vp2KLkxGL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0M802ZGAKNQ7APXVJSYE

A polarizing filter isn't nearly dark enough, I use a Mylar solar filter like this one.

Would this be a good purchase?

Is this good enough? http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DS7S52W/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1462740584&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=solar+filter&dpPl=1&dpID=41vp2KLkxGL&ref=plSrch

Can I use either of these as a solar filter?

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1319799-REG/daystar_filters_ulf90_90mm_universal_lens_filter.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1340604-REG/celestron_94220_eclipsmart_white_light_solar_filter.html

https://www.amazon.com/Solar-Filter-Telescopes-Binoculars-Cameras/dp/B00DS7IFQS/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1502359266&sr=1-1&keywords=solar+filter+sheets

Για παραδειγμα :

Στο amazon

Στο Πλανηταριο

On Amazon. Unfortunately, the price went up and it's not available until 8/20/17.

8"x8" Solar Filter Sheet for Telescopes, Binoculars and Cameras https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DS7S52W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_79BLzbQ45T2E8

Not sure what your budget is, but you could get a 4"x4" Solar Filter Sheet from Amazon for $14 and try to rig up a filter for your lens.

If you've already got the ring, you can get an 8x8 sheet from Amazon for $47 and just cut it.

Be careful that it's not a LPR filter, those are different, broadband intended to deal with older streetlights, leds render them completely useless: ex: https://smile.amazon.com/Gosky-Light-Pollution-Filter-Telescope/dp/B01LGZNMGG = waste of money

I looked and didn't see any at $20, and the one I have is out of stock. (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B06XKRSH6X) I see a few fake ones on ebay.

For a UHC filter, it's going to have a shiny side and generally purplish tint on the other side.

Of those in stock on Amazon, this one does look ok, but it's $30: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01L8XXZHC/

It's just lens flare. If you try the same experiment with a solar filter, you will see that the size of the sun does not change. Getting a solar filter is not expensive, either. So why not try this experiment and see if you can prove us roundies wrong?

If you don't have a solar filter yet and would like one, there still is some available in stock at various places if you're willing to pay for expedited shipping!

Agena Astro - Baader Astrosolar Sheet 7.9”x11.4”

Agena Astro - Baader Astrosolar Sheet 5.5”x6.1”

Cloud Break Optics - Baader Planetarium Filter (see drop down for sizes)

Cloud Break Optics - A4 size sheet

Cloud Break Optics - Star Guy Slip Filter (see drop down for sizes)


Cloud Break Optics - Threaded Camera Filters (see drop down for sizes)

Cloud Break Optics - Vixen Threaded Camera Filters (see drop down for sizes)

Amazon - Baader Astrosolar sheet 5.5”x6.1”

Amazon - Baader Astrosolar sheet 7.9”x11.4”

Amazon - Thousand Oaks Optical 4”x4” sheet

Let me know if any of these sell out and I'll remove them - I'll try and update with new ones if I come across any!

Edit: Well looks like they're all sold out!

I'm confused...I've been trying to do my own homework and figure out what filter I need but I'm lost...

I have a Nikon D3100 and I plan to shoot the eclipse with a 55-200 kit lens. Would anyone be kind enough to link me a filter that would be sufficient? Also, it might look a little bootleg but could I get some of the solar filter sheet material and rubber-band it to the lens?

I am using autofocus, but sometimes it doesn't want to focus. When that happens, I manually focus as close as I can get and then autofocus and it works out.

I am using this filter but I don't know how many stops that equates to. I cut out a circle of it and applied it to one of the cheap Vivitar UV filters. I haven't done anything with white balance; the only things I have adjusted are the ISO, shutter speed, and aperture.

I am brand new to this, coming from phone cameras, so my knowledge is based on a 12 minute youtube video and some light googling.