Does anyone know where I can buy a filter that would let me look at the sky with my telescope during the day?

Question

It's a Meade Telestar Reflector. I would like to know some places where I can buy them cheap. If you don't know where to buy them can you tell me what the name of the filter is that I'm looking for? Thanks.

its a 114mm Telescope

Answer 1

Astronomy magazine does equipment and accessory reviews each month, and in the March 2007 issue they reviewed Hydrogen-alpha filters (for viewing the sun during the day).
That might be a place to start.
You need to figure out what exactly you want to be viewing during the day (there isn't much visible with the sun shining, the moon for part of the time, Venus once in a while, or the sun), then talk to a professional in a telescope shop to find out what you need exactly.

Answer 2

The only thing you can look at in the sky during the day are the moon if it's out and the sun if you have a solar filter....you MUST put a solar filter on the telescope before pointing it at the sun or you could damage your eyes and the telescope.

You can buy a solar filter at any telescope dealer, such as Scope City.

Answer 3

There is no special filter needed for daytime viewing of the Moon or planets. To look directly at the Sun (to see sunspots), you will need a Solar filter. They are expensive though. See the source. And be careful because if the filter falls off while you are looking, you could be blinded, at least in one eye. If you want to see prominences (those big flame like things sticking up from the Sun) you will need a hydrogen alpha filter, which would probably cost more than your whole telescope.

Answer 4

I think it is called a sun filter, and a few people have had eye damage while using them, due to un-noticed fine cracks, etc allowing sunlight to hit the eye directly. I would be hesitant to use one, and reluctant to sell one to anyone, if I were a supplier. The one that came with my telescope sat there unused for many years, before I finally threw it away. So, unless you can guarantee it is new and undamaged, be very careful, particularly if you are looking for an inexpensive option. You might look in the phone book or net for telescope suppliers in your area, or contact your local astronomy group, but they may also caution you against using one.

Answer 5

You're probably looking for a solar filter. Don't buy an eyepiece one! Those are extremely dangerous. You're looking for one that fits over the end of the tube of the telescope to block out almost all the light.

If you're looking for something that will let you see stars during the day, sorry, you're out of luck.

Answer 6

There is no such filter so don't waste your time looking. If you want to look at the sun, however, there is a filter for that.