Hi,
I see from the events that on 18th May 2010 the club is having a Solar observing session viewing night with their Coronado hydrogen-alpha telescopes.

What solar scopes does the club have? Do they belong to the club? Can members loan the scopes? If so how do you go about it. I currently use a home made filter, utilising BAADER solar film (white light). I have not mamaged to see any sun spots as yet, but have lots of pictures that others have taken (S@N forums).

I would be really interested in using one of these scopes if I had the chance. they are a bit expensive.

Will there be much opportunity to observe the sun given the meeting only starts at 1930hrs?

Thanks in advance,

Ian

Ian,
The society has two solar telescopes which will be on display/use at the May meeting. They are a PST on a celestron goto mount and a 60mm Coronado on a Vixen sphinx mount. As you say they are expensive (total £5000) and we have been very restrictive about loaning them out. They are not the simplest telescopes to set up and could easily be damaged. They were paid for by a grant which was for public outreach for which they are excellent - we will again use them this year at the Moses Gate Carnival in July - possibly Bolton's biggest outdoor event. Have a look at them in May and see what you think and perhaps you could borrow the PST.
David