I just realized we are using an f6 Meade

Time to make corrections to the writing in the past. Maybe I forgot or misheard when the specs were given. This is an f6 not a f7 telescope. The f number refers to the multiplier used in relation to the objective lens or mirror.

80mm times 6 equals 480mm for the focal length of this telescope. And F7 would be 7 time 80 or 560mm in focal length.

Notice the sticker that is on it which shows a warning to "never look at the Sun". This is a good warning. People who are not buying a correct filter setup from a reputable Astronomy dealer and talking to Astronomers should never look at the sun. You should as a rule not look at the sun with any instrument. There are a few dealers who sell the correct accessories to safely look at the sun, but it's so dangerous if the equipment is not setup the threat is real and blindness permanent, so don't take chances. As a rule most people should not consider looking at the sun, unless an astronomer(s) can verify that they have safe equipment and a safe setup. Even a "safe setup" could have a strange mishap. For example the wind could blow a filter off a telescope, "Is that filter securely attached to the telescope?" should be a question you should ask? For the Meade, we have a special Solar "white light filter" for the Meade Telescope, but we don't use it for the public yet, because we have not setup the securing mechanism. We only use the Hydrogen Alpha scope currently for the public. As we get the filter setup squared away we will use the Meade in the future. (By the way the view is better through the Solar Scope Hydrogen Alpha setup anyway.

Never observe or look at the sun without a proper filter. When in doubt don't look at the sun.

I'm sitting in the shade inside under the dome as I write this. A small breeze flows through cooling off the place.

Looks like everyone is busy today, time to lock it up I suppose and head on out.

ALSO NOTE: while correcting this later, I want to add a FAAC member finally came out around 5PM and we looked at the sun for another hour through the special solar scope and tried to take some photos. Our photo setup isn't very good yet, so the photos look pretty bad. I'm not posting any in this message. There is so much more detail that can be seen in the eyepiece, it's amazing yesterday.

Greg



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