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DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE AND SCIENCE

Solar Telescope Training

Manual

DMNS Telescope Team

5/7/2017

This manual is intended to be used by telescope Trainees and those interested in learning how to use these

amazing instruments to view the Sun, planets and the cosmos. Please do not attempt to use our telescopes

without approved training or oversight. If you’re interested in being a telescope team member, contact

your staff supervisor.

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Table of Contents

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................ 2

Telescope Operator Training Plan .......................................................................................................................................... 3

General Telescope Setup Instructions .................................................................................................................................... 7

Initial Setup ....................................................................................................................................................................... 7

Finding North – Six Tile Method ...................................................................................................................................... 7

Focusing ............................................................................................................................................................................ 8

Celestron CGEM 8 & Coronado Solar Telescope (C-8) ........................................................................................................ 9

Equipment Descriptions .................................................................................................................................................... 9

Equipment Needed ............................................................................................................................................................ 9

Set-up instructions ........................................................................................................................................................... 10

Aligning the Telescope .................................................................................................................................................... 10

Breakdown and Storage .................................................................................................................................................. 11

Safety and Operation Tips ............................................................................................................................................... 11

Celestron CGEM DX 11” (C11) .......................................................................................................................................... 13

Equipment Description .................................................................................................................................................... 13

Equipment Needed .......................................................................................................................................................... 13

Set-up instructions ........................................................................................................................................................... 13



Safety and Operation Tips ............................................................................................................................................... 15

Lunt Solar Telescopes .......................................................................................................................................................... 16

Equipment Descriptions .................................................................................................................................................. 16

Equipment Needed .......................................................................................................................................................... 17

Set-up Instructions........................................................................................................................................................... 17


Safety and Operating Tips ............................................................................................................................................... 18


Eyepiece Care ....................................................................................................................................................................... 19

How to Tell if an Eyepiece Needs Cleaning .................................................................................................................... 19

What to Do if an Eyepiece Needs Cleaning .................................................................................................................... 20

Figures .................................................................................................................................................................................. 21

Solar Telescope Facilitation Suggestions ............................................................................................................................. 25

Operating Tips ................................................................................................................................................................. 25

Frequently Asked Questions ................................................................................................................................................ 27

Solar Science Information .................................................................................................................................................... 28

Regions of the Sun .......................................................................................................................................................... 28

Visible Solar Features ..................................................................................................................................................... 29

Additional Resources ...................................................................................................................................................... 32

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Introduction

Over the course of the Museum’s history, telescopes have been utilized sporadically with our

audiences for special events and excursions. Beginning around 2007, discussions began around

forming a telescope program using volunteer facilitators. And in 2011, the DMNS Solar Viewing

Telescope program was initiated by a team of enthusiastic and dedicated Space Odyssey

volunteers and Museum staff members. Today, we continue to expand our team of volunteer

Telescope Operators and Trainers through our Telescope Operator Certification program. The

team’s goal is simple: To share the wonders of the Sun and night sky with DMNS guests in a

safe, informative and enjoyable viewing environment. On average, about 10,000 visitors each

year take in the wonders of the Sun through the solar viewing telescope program.

This manual is meant to serve as a training guide and reference for prospective and veteran

Telescope Operators. The training provided is geared toward solar viewing, but is translatable to

night sky viewing as well. Once a Telescope Trainee is certified, they will be able to safely show

the prominent features of the Sun to Museum guests using two different types of telescopes: H-

alpha, which are designed to show flares and prominences, and white light telescopes equipped

with light filters to safely show features such as sun spots.

The DMNS telescope program is led and supported by:

Ana Arias, Volunteer Engagement Specialist, staff supervisor of volunteer Telescope

Operators/Trainers, Museum event support and supports team operations.

Samantha Richards, Lead Earth and Space Science Programs Specialist for Museum

Programs, and supports program coordination and logistics.

Naomi Pequette, Assistant Earth and Space Science Programs Specialist, conducts

Telesocpe Operator Certification, training oversight and coordination, and provides program

operations support.

Dan Neafus, Planetarium Operations Manager, supports telescope program operations and

conducts Telescope Operator Certification.

Dave Martinez, Space Odyssey volunteer, Lead Telescope Trainer and supports program

logistics and operations.

This document contains a series of instructions to be used in conjunction with one-on-one

training by one of our designated trainers to learn how to become a Certified Telescope Operator

at DMNS as well as background solar science content.

Following the instructions below will help ensure that everyone can safely enjoy using these

amazing instruments for years to come. Only Certified Telescope Operators, or Trainees

approved to train on telescopes, can use DMNS telescopes. Viewing the Sun through high-

powered optics can be extremely dangerous unless the proper precautions are taken and the

necessary equipment is in use. Please follow the steps below precisely so we can provide a safe

and enjoyable solar viewing experience for all involved.

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Telescope Operator Training Plan

Becoming a Certified Telescope Operator at DMNS requires training, dedication and enthusiasm

for using telescopes to teach solar and space science to the public. The Telescope Team at

DMNS strives to keep this information up to date and relevant. If you have any questions about

the contents herein, please contact your staff supervisor.

Telescope Training Season lasts from May 1 to August 31. All training should be completed by

August 31. Ideally, the last Trainees of the season should start their sessions during the first week

of August.

Please note: Prospective Telescope Operators must contact their staff supervisor prior to

beginning their training.

Telescope Operator Training Components

Onsite Training Sessions: A series of 2-5 sessions, run by a certified, volunteer Telescope

Trainer, will cover telescope safety, operation and solar science content in preparation for

Telescope Operator Certification.

o After 2-5 sessions, depending on the aptitude of the Trainee, the Trainer will decide if

the Trainee is ready for Operator Certification.

o If the trainer disapproves the Trainee for Certification, the Trainee will have a

discussion with the Trainer and/or their staff supervisor about the reasons why and

the training will be discontinued.

o If the Trainer approves a Trainee for Certification, a Certification session with a

designated staff member will be scheduled by the Trainee’s staff supervisor.

Independent Study: Trainees should expect to spend some amount of time outside of their

onsite training sessions studying relevant solar science and the telescope operation and safety

issues covered in this manual. Keeping current on all the above is expected of all Certified

Telescope Operators and usually is something they enjoy doing.

Operator Certification: All Telescope Operators must be certified by a sanctioned staff

member during a Certification session. This session is vital to ensuring that the Trainee is

following required safety protocols, proper use and operation of the telescope(s), and is

accurately delivering relevant solar science content to Museum guests. Certification sessions

usually last about an hour during which the Trainee is expected to set-up, operate and

facilitate the telescope for Museum guests and then break-down and store the telescope(s).

This session also allows the Trainee to ask further questions about all the above.

How to start training on telescopes:

1. Interested Trainees should contact their staff supervisor about learning telescopes before

any training is initiated with a Telescope Trainer.

2. If the staff supervisor approves of the Trainee learning telescopes, the Trainee must sign

a copy of the telescope safety release form found on the Solar Viewing Telescope page

on the MGG Portal, and return it to the supervisor.

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3. The Trainee should also begin studying and/or download the Telescope Training Manual

found on the above page of the MGG Portal.

4. Trainee is then paired with a certified Telescope Trainer and together, they will

coordinate the training session schedule.

Training Session Progression

Session 1:

1. Telescope trainer will take the Trainee to the Security Subpost Desk and obtain the

Telescope Cage Key so they know the process.

2. Trainee will receive a tour of the Telescope Cage off of the Sky Terrace. Topics that

should be covered include what telescopes are in the cage and whether they are used for

either solar or night viewing or both as well as reviewing other items that are in the cage

(example: power cords, accessory kits, signs, binder, etc.)

3. The Telescope Trainer will through the basics of solar telescope safety with the Trainee,

focusing on visitor safety.

4. The Trainer will walk through of basic set-up of the viewing space on the Sky Terrace –

signs, stanchions, table, etc.

5. The Telescope Trainer will set up both of the Lunt Solar Scopes, walking the Trainee

through the process. They will highlight points about telescope safety and visitor safety

throughout this process.

6. If the Trainee is not already comfortable with this knowledge (from previous telescope

experience), go over how to focus the telescope and how to tell the image is in focus.

7. If the Trainee is not already comfortable with this knowledge (from previous telescope

experience), go over the role of eyepieces have with the telescope. Illustrate how they

change magnification by viewing through a couple of different eyepieces in one of the

Lunt telescopes. Go over what eyepieces are typically used for different situations and the

“go-to” eyepiece for solar viewing through the each of the Lunts.

8. The Telescope Trainer will take down both of the Lunt Solar Scopes, again walking the

Trainee through the process and highlighting telescope and visitor safety.

9. The Trainee will do the set-up and take down of one of the Lunt telescopes, with the

Trainer there for guidance and to answer any questions.

10. As time allows, the Trainee should observe the Trainer facilitating one or both of the

Lunt Telescopes.

Session 2:

1. Review of safety information from last session.

2. Review set-up of the telescope viewing space, with guidance as needed from the

Telescope Trainer.

3. Review set-up of Lunt Solar Telescopes, focusing, and eyepieces as needed.

4. Trainee, with the Telescope Trainer present, will set-up one or both of the Lunt Solar

Telescopes

5. Review with the Trainee the following about facilitating the telescopes:

a. The View Through the Telescope: Review what features that can be seen through

both Hydrogen-alpha and White Light Solar Telescopes and how to talk to the

visitors about what they are seeing.

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b. Crowd Control for Telescopes: Review how the basic set-up can help with crowd

control, but also the details about how to approach individuals and groups that are

coming the view through the telescopes.

c. Helping Visitors Look Through the Telescope: Trainer will review how to help

visitors look through the telescopes, including the use of ladders or chairs

depending on the position of the telescope and language about having people not

touch the telescopes.

d. Communicating Safe Solar Viewing: The Trainer will give examples of how to

talk to visitors about safe solar viewing methods with visitors, including the

dangers of looking at the sun with the naked eye.

6. The Trainer will facilitate the telescopes with the Trainee.

7. With the Telescope Trainer present, the Trainee will take down one or both of the Lunt

Solar Telescopes

Session 3:

1. Trainee will set up the observing space without any guidance (i.e. table, signs, stations,

etc.) but with Trainer present.

2. Trainee will set up one or both of the Lunt Solar Telescopes without guidance. The

Trainee will still be present while they do this in case any safety issues (for scope,

Trainee or visitor) arise, but the Trainee will do the setup on their own. The Trainee is

successful if the telescope is properly set-up, the sun is safely visible through the

eyepiece, image is in focus, and the telescope is tracking properly.

3. If the Trainer or the Trainee does not feel they are ready to set-up the telescopes without

assistance this at this point, have the Trainee do the set-up and the Trainer should provide

guidance as needed.

4. Go more in-depth with the solar science. What causes the features we are viewing? By

the end of this session the Trainee should know difference between sunspots, flares,

prominences, filaments, granulation, CMEs, plages and faculae and a basic understanding

of how these actions occur.

5. Trainer will facilitate the telescopes with the Trainee.

6. Trainee will take down the Lunt Solar Telescopes that were out that day without

guidance. The Trainee will still be present while they do this in case any safety issues (for

scope, Trainee or visitor) arise, but the Trainee will do the setup on their own. Success is

having them, and any accessories used, properly stored in the cage.

Session 4:

1. The Telescope Trainer will assess how the Trainee did over the last few sessions. If either

the Trainer or the Trainee feels like the Trainee needs more practice, use this session to

review any topics needed and have them do the set-up and take down again.

2. If the Trainer feels the Trainee has the aptitude and they are interested, this session may

be used to go over set-up and take-down procedures for the C-8/PST as well as telescope

and visitor safety specific to that scope combination using the steps outlined above.

Learning this telescope is highly encouraged and should feel very similar to the Lunts,

since they use the same mount.

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Session 5: Most Trainees will not need this session. It may be helpful if the Trainee is learning the Lunts

and the C8/PST and they want one more session to become comfortable with both processes.

After Last Training Session is Complete:

1. Contact Ana Arias and Naomi Pequette to give a summary on how the training went.

Assuming all has gone well, Naomi will schedule a time for herself or Dan Neafus to do

the final certification sign off for the Trainee.

If at any point during this process you have concerns, please let Ana Arias and Naomi Pequette

know. They can come by and/or check in with the Trainee. We want everyone to be confident,

comfortable, and safe with the telescope equipment.

Please note that only after a Trainee has passed their Telescope Operator Certification can

they use the DMNS telescopes without a Telescope Trainer or designated staff member

present.

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General Telescope Setup Instructions

The following instructions apply to both the Celestron/Coronado and the Lunt Solar Telescope

Setups.

Initial Setup

1. Access to telescope storage area gained by obtaining key number 47 (or key #151) from

Subpost. Be sure and have access clearance from staff or telescope trainer.

2. When setting up, please move the peripheral equipment before the telescope(s). Place the

three telescope signs, table, ladder and a chair or two in the Sky Terrace viewing area.

The eyepiece storage case should be on one of the roller tables along with the handbook

and business cards with solar web sites.

3. Follow the instructions outlined in each telescope’s specific manual—see Table of

Contents.

Safety note: Facilitate only as many telescopes as you’re comfortable handling. So if you just

want to use one telescope, that’s fine. Better to be more cautious than to risk equipment damage

or being stressed out.

Finding North – Six Tile Method

Unfortunately, the Sky Terrace is not aligned exactly North-South. However, it’s easy to find

north using what we call the “Six Tile Method.” To do this, you point the telescope leg marked

with an “N” (also the leg that is under the counterweight shaft when the telescope is in the “rest

position) six tiles down and one over (see Figure 1):

Figure 1 showing the “six-tile alignment” method.

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Focusing

Focusing is integral to creating a sharp, crisp image for our visitors. Focus should be checked

when setting up the telescopes as well as several times throughout your viewing session. The

focusing knobs on our different brand telescopes are pictured in Figures 1 and 2.

To focus the telescope, look at the edge of the Sun, and rotate the focusing knobs small amounts

in either direction until the edge appears sharp. You should not have to rotate the knobs large

amounts (unless someone has previously been looking at a land feature, which is rare). If you

wear glasses, you should focus the telescope while wearing your glasses so that the focus is

correct for the majority of our guests.

Figure 2 shows the focusing knobs for the Lunt Telescopes.

Figure 3 shows the focusing knobs for the Celestron Telescopes.

Course Focus

Fine Focus

Focus Knob

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Celestron CGEM 8 & Coronado Solar Telescope (C-8)

Equipment Descriptions

Coronado Personal Solar Telescope (PST)

The Coronado PST is a 40mm dedicated hydrogen-alpha solar telescope. It has a 400mm focal

length for a focal ratio of f/10. This telescope includes an internal blocking filter and 30mm

etalon that are used to dim the image and remove unwanted heat and UV light to make the

telescope safe for solar viewing. The etalon allows for adjustments of about 0.1 Angstrom. This

slight adjustment in wavelength helps bring out detail in different features on the sun, such as

prominences, filaments, and other chromosphere detail. It has a built-in solar finder to allow the

sun to be found quickly and safely.

Celestron CGEM 8”

The Celestron CEGEM 8” (C8) is an 8” Schmidt- Cassegrain telescope. Schmidt-Cassegrains are

a type of catadioptric telescope systems that use a combination of mirrors and lenses to focus

light. This type of telescope is known for having a long focal length in a compact tube. The C8

has a focal length of 2032mm for a focal ratio of f/10. The C8 is mounted and on a fully “go-to”

equatorial mount. This computer system, with basic alignment (outlined below) finds objects in

the night sky for the user and then tracks-and-follows them. This telescope was designed for

night-sky viewing, but can be safely used to view the sun with the addition of a proper solar

filter.

We use a full-aperture white-light filter that allows us to view sunspots on the surface of the sun

The solar filter is a glass filter that has been triple-coated with nickel-chromium stainless steel.

The filter passes only a fraction of the incoming light and rejects harmful UV and IR radiation

making it safe for solar viewing.

Equipment Needed

All equipment can be found in the storage area on the Terrace Deck.

Coronado solar telescope piggybacked on C8 telescope

C8/PST Eyepiece Accessory Kit (located on the base of the telescope)

Celestron power cord (on base of telescope)

8 inch solar filter for Celestron telescope

Extension power cord

Step ladder

Sun information stand

Safety instruction stand

Visitor instructions stand

Table

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Set-up instructions

1. Follow General Setup Instructions

2. Take off the cover and roll out the telescope being careful not to go too fast over the riser

at the doorway. Pull or push the telescope legs rather than pulling the handle on the C8.

Please loosen the clutches when rolling in/out the telescope to avoid stress on the worm

gears that may strip them.

3. Take telescope to suitable area for best access to the sun. Possibilities include the area

just north of the two umbrellas or in between the two umbrellas

4. Lock the gate and the door to the storage area before setting up.

5. Lock the casters on the base roller stand.

6. Replace the telescope lens cap with the 8” solar filter, and tighten the screws for security

reasons.

7. Insert the 32mm eyepiece in the C8 and the 15mm eyepiece in the PST. Be sure to tighten

screws on the eyepiece holders.

8. Place eyepiece guards and lens caps for the telescopes in the eyepiece accessory case so

they don’t get lost or taken.

Aligning the Telescope

1. Disengage the clutches and move the telescope to the “rest position” with the

counterweight above the “N” tripod leg. Make sure the index marks on both the Right

Ascension and Declination axis of the telescope are aligned.

2. Disengage the castors on the base and align the telescope due north using the Six Tile

Method (outlined in General Setup).Lock the casters.

3. Attach power cord to the C8 and power outlet and turn on power.

4. Press ENTER on the hand controller to begin the alignment process.

5. Use the number 6 (up) key to bring up the “Quick Align” option. The 6 and 9 keys are

used to scroll through the menu items.

6. You will be instructed to use the arrow keys to align the telescope with true North and to

make sure the index marks are aligned.

7. You will be prompted to enter the date and time. Follow on-screen instructions to do so.

8. When alignment is complete, select the 1 key (Solar System) and scroll with the number

6 (up) or number 9 (down) keys to Sun

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9. Center the sun in the eyepiece using the arrow keys. It may be helpful to slow down the

motors at this point. That can be done by hitting “motor speed” then a number. We

recommend 9 for the initial move, and 7 or 5 for centering in the eyepiece.

a. If the sun is not in view in the eyepiece, use the arrow keys to move the telescope.

Align the front and rear screws that hold the PST to the ring by looking at the

shadow of those on your hand or on the ground. A solar finder has been installed

on the PST that allows you to roughly center the sun in it.

10. Ensure the sun is centered in both the C8 and PST. If it is in the C8, but not the PST, use

the front screws that hold the PST to adjust where it is pointed.

Breakdown and Storage

1. After the last visitor has departed turn off the power and unhook the cord from the

telescope and outlet. Return the cord to the storage case.

2. Point the telescope away from the sun. This is a CRITICAL safety step!

3. Replace the solar filter and eyepieces with caps and disengage both clutches and return

the telescope to the down position.

4. Place all accessories to the Eyepiece Accessory Kit.

5. Unlock the casters on the roller stand.

6. Return telescope and all accessories (3 stands, stepladder, power cord, extension cord,

accessory storage case, 8” filter) to storage area.

7. Lock the clutches and replace the cover on the telescope.

8. Check viewing area before locking up.

9. Lock the gate and the door to the storage area.

Safety and Operation Tips

1. Locking the solar filter on the C8 insures that visitors will not remove it intentionally or

otherwise. It is extremely important for your safety, as well as the safety of the visitors

and the equipment, that all proper filters are in place and secured whenever the telescope

is pointing near the sun.

2. PLEASE NOTE: It is critically important that the filter is installed before looking at the

sun and taken off only after the telescope is not pointing at the sun.

3. Lock each eyepiece to prevent them from falling out if you reposition the telescope tube.

12

4. Disengage both clutches in Right Ascension and Declination when transporting the C8

telescope. PLEASE NOTE: Moving the telescope tube WITHOUT disengaging the

appropriate clutch will strip the worm gears, and make the telescope non-functional.

5. PLEASE NOTE: Disengaging the clutches on the C8 and moving the telescope tube

while the motor is running will nullify the initial setting obtained during setup.

6. When rolling out the telescope it may tip over the rise at the doorway so it will be

necessary to lift the wheel frame over that rise.

7. The C8 telescope was designed for nighttime viewing, so if you feel the tube has become

too warm from use on a hot summer day you should cut the viewing session short and put

the equipment away.

13

Celestron CGEM DX 11” (C11)

Equipment Description

The Celestron CGEM DX 11 is an 11” Schmidt- Cassegrain telescope. Schmidt-Cassegrains are

a type of catadioptric telescope systems that use a combination of mirrors and lenses to focus

light. This type of telescope is known for having a long focal length in a compact tube. The C11

has a focal length of 2800 mm for a focal ratio of f/10. The C11 is mounted and on a fully “go-

to” equatorial mount. This computer system, with basic alignment (outlined below) finds objects

in the night sky for the user and then tracks-and-follows them. This telescope was designed for

night-sky viewing, but can be safely used to view the sun with the addition of a proper solar

filter.

We use a full-aperture white-light filter that allows us to view sunspots on the surface of the sun

The solar filter is a glass filter that has been triple-coated with nickel-chromium stainless steel.

The filter passes only a fraction of the incoming light and rejects harmful UV and IR radiation

making it safe for solar viewing.

Equipment Needed

All equipment can be found in the storage area on the Terrace Deck.

C11 Eyepiece Accessory Kit (on base of telescope)

Celestron power cord (on base of telescope)

11 inch solar filter for Celestron telescope

Extension power cord

Step ladder




Table

Set-up instructions

1. Follow General Setup Instructions

2. Take off the cover and roll out the telescope being careful not to go too fast over the riser

at the doorway and be mindful of overhead obstructions. Pull or push the telescope legs

rather than pulling the C11 tube. Please loosen the clutches when rolling in/out the

telescope to avoid stress on the worm gears that may strip them.



4. Lock the clutches on the telescope and casters on the base.

14

5. Lock the gate and the door to the storage area before setting up.

6. Replace the telescope lens cap with the 11” solar filter, and tighten the screws for security

reasons.

7. Insert the 32mm eyepiece in the C11. Be sure to tighten screws on the eyepiece holders.

8. Place eyepiece guards and lens caps for the telescope in the eyepiece accessory case so

they don’t get lost or taken.







3. Attach power cord to the C11 and power outlet and turn on power.











9. Use the arrow keys to center any interesting sunspots.


10. After the last visitor has departed turn off the power and unhook the cord from the

telescope and outlet. Return the cord to the storage case.

11. Point the telescope away from the sun

12. Replace the solar filter and eyepieces with caps and disengage both clutches and return

the telescope to the down position.

15

13. Place all accessories in the storage case.

14. Return telescope and all accessories (3 stands, stepladder, power cord, extension cord,

accessory storage case, 11” filter) to storage area.

15. Lock the clutches and replace the cover on the telescope.

16. Check viewing area before locking up.

17. Lock the gate and the door to the storage area.

Safety and Operation Tips

1. Locking the solar filter on the C11 ensures that visitors will not remove it intentionally or

otherwise. It is extremely important for your safety, as well as the safety of the visitors

and the equipment, that all proper filters are in place and secured whenever the telescope

is pointing near the sun.

2. PLEASE NOTE: It is critically important that the filter is installed before looking at the

sun and taken off only after the telescope is not pointing at the sun.


4. Disengage both clutches in right ascension and declination prior to moving the C11

telescope tube manually. PLEASE NOTE: Moving the telescope tube WITHOUT

disengaging the appropriate clutch will strip the worm gears, and make the telescope non-

functional.

5. PLEASE NOTE: Disengaging the clutches on the C11 and moving the telescope tube

while the motor is running will nullify the initial setting obtained during setup.

6. When rolling out the telescope it may tip over the rise at the doorway so it will be

necessary to lift the wheel frame over that rise.

7. It will usually be necessary to use the arrow keys to center the sun in the eyepiece after

the telescope slews to the Sun.

8. The C11 telescope was designed for nighttime viewing, so if you feel the tube has

become too warm from use on a hot summer day you should cut the viewing session

short and put the equipment away.

16

Lunt Solar Telescopes

Equipment Descriptions

Lunt LS100THa H-alpha Solar Telescope

The Lunt Solar Systems LS100THa is a 100mm aperture, dedicated hydrogen-alpha solar

telescope. This is a high precision refractor-based system that allows for fully corrected clear,

crisp, flat-field images of the sun. The focal length is 714 mm, for an f/ratio of 7. Course focus

adjustment is via a slide tube. More fine-tuned focusing is achieved with a high precision 2″

Starlight Feather Touch focuser with 10:1 reduction. Inside the telescope is an energy rejection

filter (ERF) and etalon which make the telescope safe for solar viewing. The ERF removes

unwanted heat and UV light from the system. The etalon is adjustable and allows for a <0.7

Angstrom bandpass. This means that the wavelength of light we observe through the telescope

can be adjusted to bring out different features on the sun, such as surface detail or prominences.

The tuning is achieved with a “pressure tuner” located on the side of the telescope. This controls

the air pressure inside of the etalon in the telescope. Varying the air pressure changes the

refractive index, and thus moves the wavelength of light you see slightly to the blue or red,

allowing you to see different features in greater detail. This allows for a shift into and away from

the user, adding a 3-D like component to the viewing experience. While it has minimal effect on

prominences due to their location at the edge of the disk, it does have an effect on filaments and

active regions on the surface. While looking at a filament at the center of the Sun, the user has

the ability to Doppler shift from the base of the filament to the tip, following the filament

through its structure toward you and away from you, allowing for enhanced visual and imaging

capability for the observer. The pressure tuning system provides an order of magnitude more

precision to the tuning of the desired features.

Lunt ED Doublet Optical Tube Assembly (White Light Telescope)

We use this 102 mm aperture telescope primarily for white light solar viewing but it can also be

used for night sky work with the addition of the proper accessories. This telescope utilizes a

white light solar wedge to make viewing the sun safe, see below.

Lunt White Light Wedge Information

For solar white light imaging and white light visual observing using the 102 mm telescope,

we’ve installed the 1.25” Lunt White Light Herschel Wedge (Figure 6) which comes with a built

in neutral density filter which allows perfectly safe imaging or visual observing of the Sun.

Herschel wedges work by refracting most of the light out of the optical path, allowing for safe

visual observation. The Neutral Density filter further darkens the image. For more comfortable

visual observing, we’ve dimmed the image with a Polarizing Filter and Moon Filter (or the

Variable Polarizing Filter). You can adjust the brightness to your comfort by rotating the

eyepiece.

17

Equipment Needed

Lunt 100mm Hydrogen Alpha Telescope and/or Lunt 102mm White Light Telescope

Celestron Power Cord for each Lunt Telescope being used

Extension Cord for each Lunt Telescope being used

Eyepiece Accessory Kit (located on the base of each telescope respectively)

Hershel Wedge (for White Light Telescope, usually installed on telescope or in

eyepiece accessory kit)




Table

Set-up Instructions

1. Follow General Set-up Instructions

2. Before leaving the storage area, make sure to disengage the telescope mount clutches by

turning them counter-clockwise (see Fig. 4). This will prevent stripping of the worm

gears during movement.

3. When bringing the telescope(s) out of the storage area, use caution when going over any

bumps as the tube may sway because the weights only counter-act movement along one

axis.



5. Lock the gate and the door to the storage area before setting up







3. Attach power cord to the mount and power outlet and turn on power.

4. Press ENTER on the hand controller to begin the alignment process.



18









NOTE: The white light telescope image is very bright, so use the moon filter or variable

polarizing filter to make it easier on your eyes. Just screw it in and out of your eyepiece of choice

as well as the eyepiece you use to center the sun (see Figure 5)

Safety and Operating Tips

1. The Lunt 102mm White-Light Telescope was designed for nighttime viewing, so if you feel

the tube has become too warm from use on a hot summer day you should cut the viewing

session short and put the equipment away.

2. PLEASE NOTE: When using the 102mm white-light telescope, please make sure that the

Herschel Wedge is installed and secured in place of a star diagonal (Figure 6). This is critical

for safe solar viewing! This generally will be the case; however there is a chance that a star

diagonal may have been left in after a night time viewing event.


4. Disengage both clutches in the altitude and azimuth prior to moving the Lunt telescope tubes

manually. PLEASE NOTE: Moving the telescope tube WITHOUT disengaging the

appropriate clutch will strip the worm gears, and make the telescope non-functional.

5. When rolling out the telescope it may tip over the rise at the doorway so it will be necessary

to lift the wheel frame over that rise.


1. Turn off the power on the mounts(s).

2. Unplug the power from the mount and extension cord. Unplug the extension cord from the

outlet.

3. Remove the eyepieces, put the eyepiece caps and lens caps on.

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4. Put on the front cover and back cover of telescope.

5. Loosen telescope clutches and move telescopes to rest position.

6. Release brake on telescope cart casters.

7. Move the telescope(s) into the storage cage. If necessary, let any guests in the area know what

you’re doing. Be careful of the telescopes while moving them to ensure that they do not bump

into anything or move inappropriately.

8. Unplug and remove the battery pack and plug it into the charging unit.

9. Store all signage, tables, stools etc. after telescope(s) is stowed securely as shown in Figure 7.

Eyepiece Care

How to Tell if an Eyepiece Needs Cleaning

A dirty eyepiece can significantly affect the views that our guests see through our telescopes.

However, with 10,000 visitors per year viewing our scopes it is inevitable.

There are two main reasons that a telescope eyepiece might need cleaning. The primary culprit is

dust and debris. Dust from make-up, skin, the cases they are stored in, as well as the environment

the telescope is set up in all can collect on eyepiece surfaces. Typically, this dirt and debris is on

the top element of the lens where people look through. However, if an eyepiece does not have a

bottom cap, it can get on the bottom of the eyepiece as well. Especially when looking at the sun,

people will see black specks or short lines in the image that do not correspond with any known

feature and do not move (it can often be mistaken for sunspots).

To confirm that it is dust or other debris, first look through another telescope or eyepiece to see if

those features are still there. If they are not still there, take the eyepiece out of the telescope and

turn it so you are looking at the top of the lens as close to edge-on as possible. This should cause

any dust on the top element of the lens to become more obvious (see Figure 8). Do the same to

the bottom of the eyepiece to see if there is any dust on the bottom element.

The common reason eyepieces become dirty is “eye gunk.” This will look like an opalescent film

on the top element of the eyepiece. You may be able to see this looking directly down at the

eyepiece or if you move the eyepiece around and change your viewing angle (see Figure 9).

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What to Do if an Eyepiece Needs Cleaning

Eyepieces will be cleaned twice a month by a group of specially trained staff and volunteers.

However, some eyepieces may need to be cleaned more frequently than this (especially if they

are a “favorite” that gets used a lot).

If you think an eyepiece needs to be cleaned outside of the regular cleaning schedule, please

write a note on the whiteboard by the telescope cage that indicates:

The date

The eyepiece brand, model name, and focal length (Example: Orion Expanse

15mm)

What telescope eyepiece kit it is in

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Figures

Figure 2 shows telescope aligned properly and pointed at the sun. Note: This figure shows the old mount for

the Lunt, but the alignment will look the same for the new Celestron mounts.

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Figure 3 shows one of the clutches. Note- this in on the older mounts for the Lunts, but the process is the same

for the new Celestron mounts and the clutches look the same.

Figure 4 showing the Sol-Searcher used in aligning the telescope.

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Figure 5 showing the two filters in the correct order needed for the white light telescope to dim the image of

the sun. Left – Moon Filter and Polarizer. Right – Variable Polarizing Filter

Figure 6 shows the Lunt White Light Hershel Wedge. Note the cactus logo and red warning symbol that help

to differentiate it from a normal star diagonal that is used for night viewing.

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Figure 7 illustrates how equipment should be stored after use.

Figure 8 is an example of a dusty/dirty eyepiece.

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Figure 9 is an example of a dirty eyepiece with “eye gunk” on it.

Solar Telescope Facilitation Suggestions

Operating Tips Whether you’re using one or two telescopes, it’s a good idea to instruct visitors to form a

line several feet away from the telescopes to avoid crowding.

Restrict viewing of telescopes to one person to each telescope (we count the C8/PST

combination as one telescope)

It is advisable to use two operators when facilitating both Lunt telescopes. It is possible

with one operator if care is taken to control the lines by instructing each visitor when they

can approach each telescope. If you’re by yourself, feel free to use only one telescope

(we recommend a hydrogen alpha telescope for this situation) if that’s more comfortable

for you.

Instruct visitors on solar viewing safety and what to expect on the sun that day. If you

have more than one telescope out, or the C8/PST combination, explain the differences in

each telescope. Also direct their attention to the sun information stands.

Let each person know when you want them to approach the telescope(s). Explain that this

is for their protection as well as to protect the equipment.

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Give visitors an idea of how they can best view the sun through the telescope by

shielding their eyes from the bright sun. Have them cover one eye and use their other

hand to shield the viewing eye from the bright sun.

Instruct visitors to refrain from touching either telescope so they don’t misalign them.

Ask children to use the stepladder and instruct them to hold on to the top rail only for

support. This will help them to remember not to touch the telescopes. Use your hands or

an appropriate object like a piece of dark paper to shield children’s eyes from the bright

sunlight.

When you are using the C8/PST combination, one way to facilitate it with a group is to

let everyone in the group look through the C8 first and let them know they may see

sunspots on the surface of the sun in visible light through the telescope. Then let them

look through the PST telling them they are now seeing the atmosphere of the sun and in

order to do that you have to change the wavelength of light or color of the filter to red

(the Hydrogen alpha line). This may be difficult with longer lines, however.

Monitor and check the eyepiece view often to ensure the image is centered.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do you calculate the magnification of the telescope?

A. Magnification is calculated by dividing the focal length of the telescope (the

distance light travels to come to a focus, measured in millimeters) by the focal

length of the eyepiece (also measured in millimeters).

Example: Magnification of a 20mm eyepiece in the Lunt Hydrogen alpha

714/20 = 35.7

Example: Magnification of a 20mm eyepiece in the C8

2032/20 = 101.6

2. What is the difference between white light and hydrogen alpha?

A. The white light and hydrogen alpha telescopes are looking at different

wavelengths, and thus showing us different features on the sun. The white light

telescopes are looking at the photosphere, or the “surface” of the sun. This region

is approximately 6000° F and features sunspots that are approximately 4000° F

(see solar science section for more details). The hydrogen alpha telescopes are

looking at the chromosphere, which is a region of the sun’s atmosphere. In these

telescopes we see features around the limb, such as prominences and flares, and

hot surface features like granulation, filaments and plages.

3. What causes solar flares?

A. The cause of solar flares is not fully understood. However, it’s believed that they

occur when magnetic fields in the Sun pointing in opposite directions interact

strongly with each other. The churning motion of solar materials near the surface

can create such a situation. Flares are more likely to occur during active periods

of the sun and there is typically a correlation between the frequency of flares and

the number of sunspots.

4. How large are the sunspots we are looking at?

A. Sunspots can range in size from 932 miles up to 31,068 miles in diameter.

Typically, we see sunspots that are as large as, or bigger than the Earth!

5. What does the sun have to do with the aurora borealis?

A. The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, are caused by the interaction of solar

wind with the magnetic field of Earth. We typically see the most dramatic

northern lights displays at times of high solar activity. (see Solar Science

Information section for a description of the solar wind)

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Solar Science Information

Regions of the Sun

Much like planets, the sun can be divided up into three main regions: The Sun’s interior, the

visible “surface” of the sun, and the solar atmosphere.

The solar interior has three main parts: the core, the radiative zone, and convective zone. The

core is the center of the sun where the nuclear reactions occur. This is by far the hottest region of

the sun and can reach temperatures of 28,000,000° F. The radiative zone is named for the way

heat is transferred outward from the core, carried by photons and thermal radiation. The third and

final area of the solar interior is the convective layer. This is also named for how heat and energy

are transported in transported in this layer. Heat moves upward via roiling convection, much like

the bubbling motion of a pot of boiling oatmeal.

The boundary between the Sun’s interior and atmosphere is the photosphere. This is what we see

as the visible “surface” of the sun. However, it is not like the surface of a planet since there is no

solid surface here.

The Sun’s atmosphere is divided into two regions: the chromosphere and the corona. This is a

thin region of the sun where temperatures rise sharply from the photosphere. The corona is the

outer atmosphere of the sun, and is surprisingly much hotter than the photosphere. This upper

corona gradually turns into solar wind, a flow of plasma that moves outward through our solar

system.

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Visible Solar Features

Sunspots

Sunspots are the dark spots you can see when you look at the sun

in white light (through an appropriate filter) or when you project

an image of the sun on to a screen.

These spots are dark because they are cooler than their

surroundings (3,800 degrees F compared to 5,800 degrees F in

the photosphere). This image shows you a group of sunspots as

viewed through a white-light filter.

The sun generates very strong magnetic fields, and it is a localized concentration of these

magnetic fields that causes the cooling that we see as sunspots. Sunspots usually occur in pairs or

groups of opposite magnetic polarity that move in unison across the face of the sun as it rotates.

They can last anything from a few hours to a few weeks, or even months for the very biggest.

Sunspot activity exhibits an 11 year cycle in terms of the position and number of spots.

Plages

A Plage is a bright region in the chromosphere. They are

typically found near sunspots and are most visible when near a

sunspot. Plages can outlive sunspots. Plages are often associated

with Faculae (below)

Faculae

Faculae are bright areas in the photosphere that are visible

near the limb, or edge, of the solar disk. They appear a few

hours before a sunspot that arises in the same place and can

remain for months after the sunspots have gone. They are

also the result of the magnetic fields produced by the sun,

being areas where the magnetic field is concentrated in

much smaller bundles than in sunspots. While the sunspots

tend to make the Sun look darker, the faculae make it look

brighter. The word facula comes from the Latin for 'Little

Torch'. They are not visible in Hydrogen Alpha.

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Granulation

Granulation can be seen across the entire surface of the sun, except for

where sunspots are visible. Granulation is caused by convection currents

that are transferring heat from below the solar surface to the surface.

Hot gases and plasma rise to the photosphere, spread out and cool and

then sink down. This is what causes the bright center and darker edges

that are seen in granules. Individual granules last for only about 20

minutes so the pattern of granulation is continually changing as old

granules are pushed aside by newly emerging ones. The flow within the

granules can reach supersonic speeds of more than 7 km/s (15,000 mph)

and produce sonic "booms" and other noise. Shown on the right in H-

Alpha, granulation can be seen in white light as well.

Filaments

Filaments are prominences that are within the disc of the sun as we

view it, and so are seen as dark lines of cool matter and against the

hotter bright chromosphere behind.

Prominences

A Prominence is an elongated structure full of material

hundreds of times cooler and denser than the surrounding

corona. They are held up and insulated by huge magnetic

structures and are seen as prominences at the edge of the

sun against the black background of space. They can stay

suspended above the photosphere for weeks and even

months, but eventually become unstable. Surprisingly,

rather than collapse at that point, they actually erupt.

Flares

Solar flares are huge explosions on the surface of the sun, throwing

out massive amount of material as matter is heated to millions of

degrees in a few minutes. These flares can release energies

equivalent to millions of hydrogen bombs. It can last from minutes

to hours.

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Coronal Mass Ejection

Often associated with flares and prominences, a coronal mass ejection

(CME) is the release of a huge amount of coronal material - measured

in billions of tons and traveling at supersonic speeds.

Here is an image of the sun on a particularly active day. It features

several of the features discussed above. This image more closely shows

the level of detail we can expect to see from our Hydrogen Alpha

Telescopes than the images above. However, please note that with any

photo, it will not be exactly what you see, even if you had observed that

object the same day.

Detached

Prominence

Prominence

Prominence

Filaments

Sunspots

Plage

Sunspots

Prominence

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Additional Resources

Solar Dynamics Observatory:

http://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov

High Altitude Observatory:

https://www2.hao.ucar.edu

Current Solar Activity and More:

http://www.spaceweather.com

Explanation for the solar process:

http://www.oswego.edu/~kanbur/a100/lecture10.html

Sun Facts and Solar Physics:

http://solarscience.msfc.nasa.gov/

Some of the definitions of solar features are from the following website:

http://astronomyknowhow.com/sun.htm

http://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/

https://www2.hao.ucar.edu/

http://www.spaceweather.com/

http://www.oswego.edu/~kanbur/a100/lecture10.html

http://solarscience.msfc.nasa.gov/

http://astronomyknowhow.com/sun.htm

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