Early Pictures of the Sun

A Photo Essay of the Stars, Planets, Sun, and Moon

The other day I received a sun filter. I was a bit wary of using it because I’ve read everything about what the sun’s rays can do to your eyes- go blind-

If you look through the telescope. So I bought this $13, 5-inch sun filter from Amazon. You can buy them for almost any size lens telescope so I’m posting the link here:

It was windy and cold when I went outside. Yet, it was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. I put the filter on. I must of read the silly instructions on the cardboard cover a zillion times to make sure I wasn’t missing anything. I’ll be honest. I was a bit apprehensive. I mean if I made one mistake this would wind up costing me immeasurably and permanently. I checked every peephole. I checked every little, possible crevice of space that I missed. I was ready to go!

I first worked to focus the telescope using the viewfinder. I did not look through it. That, of course, would do me in. So, I did it manually by just waiting until I could see the reflective image in the lens of the viewfinder. Once I did that I was ready to go. Again, NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN WITHOUT A FILTER! BE ABSOLUTELY CAREFUL and make sure you use the Silver side on the outside of the lens. This will reflect some of the light, but it is still DANGEROUS if you still look through the eyepiece. Then the viewing begins. You will know if you did it right! These are the images you will see :}

Here are my pics:

This is just a wildly bright picture! I didn’t even touch this up. I just cropped it. The copper color is amazing! If you look closer you can see the solar flares and heat come off the sun's edges.

I did kind of play around with this a little. Yet, the image is untouched. At the top left, you can a solar flare visibly.

A little fun in the “SUN!”