Wellington Astronomical Society

Solar Observing and related activity / information

Safety First

Solar / Sun and Transits

 

Mercury Transit public events:

November 9th 2006 NASA info
For NZ, the Transit begins at 8:12am and continues until 1:10pm. See it for yourself at Carter Observatory.
call Ron Fisher on (04) 472 8167 more..

---------------------------------------------------

The lure of the sun.

 

A telescope at the zoo showing the solar protective filter attached.

A number of members are interested in solar activity, especially as it pertains to auroral activity, as it offers up to two days alert ahead of an event in our atmosphere.

Some telescopes have solar filters to protect against solar injury. This is a very dangerous activity and must be supervised by responsible adults only.

Safety notes.

Following the sun down the sky over Mana Island.
16th October 2006.

 

Following the sun down the sky over Titahi Bay.

Looking from Papakowhai, 12th October 2006.
Images by Paul Moss.

This is one of three filters that I used here. This one is a cokin A. 121 M classic 50/50 Neutral density / clear. The other is a cokin A. 154 100% ND, slightly denser than the dark side of the 121. I use both filters AND a circular polarising filter early in the sequence to obtain enough ND, then I remove the polarising, and then the 154, and I adjust the position of the 121 to get best balance in the scene.

 

 

 

This solar filter is made from aluminised mylar stretched across an aluminium frame. approx $150 italian made.
Filters are also available from NZ suppliers.

Sunset at Welingtons South Coast.

sunrise over the Bay Of Plenty, between Matakana Island and Pio Shores, near Mayor Island.

Partial Solar eclipse from Wellington New Zealand.

Sunspots on international astronomy day.

 

For more info contact Paul Moss.

Edited: 12-October-2006