I have an 8 inch telescope, and I am looking at Solar and Lunar filters. It looks like the Lunar Filter is small and goes on the eyepiece, but the Solar Filter is larger (8 inch). Is this correct?
2007-03-29 05:24:21 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Yes, the solar filter has to go over the front of the telescope. An eyepiece solar filter would get too hot, plus focusing unfiltered sunlight inside your telescope could damage it.
The lunar filter is optional. It's not dangerous to look at the unfiltered moon, but some people find it uncomfortably bright.
2007-03-29 05:33:51 · answer #1 · answered by injanier 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Correct!
The Sun is so bright that its light must be filtered BEFORE the telescope concentrates it down to a small spot. If you tried to filter it at the eyepiece the intense heat could crack the filter while you were looking through the telescope at the Sun, which could instantly blind you.
2007-03-29 14:55:42 · answer #2 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely. The lunar protects your eye. The solar protects your eye and the scope.
2007-03-29 12:32:23 · answer #3 · answered by Gene 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋