© Reeth Informal Astronomy Group unless otherwise indicated

3. If you own a telescope you may be able to use it to project a magnified image of the sun. But if you attempt this, you must follow these safety rules:

• Take off the finder scope before you start,  so there is no risk of you accidentally looking through it at the sun;
• For the same reason, Make sure the lens or main mirror is securely covered while setting up.
• Point the exit-path of the light downwards towards the ground;
• Put in a cheap low power eyepiece (it can get very hot).
• Keep most of the aperture of the telescope covered to avoid excess heat causing damage –  the best way to do this is to firmly fix a cover over the front of the telescope with a small diameter hole offset half way from the centre (4 cm is ample). Make sure the cover isn’t loose – use tape if necessary to prevent it being knocked off.
• Point the telescope by the least shadow method – that is move the telescope until the shadow behind it is the smallest and most circular you can get.
• Put a piece of white card below the eyepiece onto which the image can be projected.
• Don’t leave the telescope unattended and keep pets and young  children (who might try to look up into the light path) well away.

Now let’s hope for a clear sky and good viewing!  

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