How to Observe the Sun Safely

How to Observe the Sun Safely, Second Edition gives all the basic information and advice the amateur astronomer needs to get started in observing our own ever-fascinating star. Unlike many other astronomical objects, you do not need a large telescope

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How to Observe the Sun Safely

Second Edition Lee Macdonald

Lee Macdonald Cambridge,UK

ISSN 1431-9756 ISBN 978-1-4614-3824-3 ISBN 978-1-4614-3825-0 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-1-4614-3825-0 Springer New York Heidelberg Dordrecht London Library of Congress Control Number: 2012937044 © Springer Science+Business Media New York 2012 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. Exempted from this legal reservation are brief excerpts in connection with reviews or scholarly analysis or material supplied specifically for the purpose of being entered and executed on a computer system, for exclusive use by the purchaser of the work. Duplication of this publication or parts thereof is permitted only under the provisions of the Copyright Law of the Publisher’s location, in its current version, and permission for use must always be obtained from Springer. Permissions for use may be obtained through RightsLink at the Copyright Clearance Center. Violations are liable to prosecution under the respective Copyright Law. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. While the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication, neither the authors nor the editors nor the publisher can accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may be made. The publisher makes no warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein. Printed on acid-free paper Springer is part of Springer Science+Business Media (www.springer.com)

Preface

There is now more interest in observing the Sun than ever before among amateur astronomers. Go to any major astronomical meeting or convention and you will see at least one solar telescope in action, and it is sure to draw a crowd. The Sun indeed has much to offer the amateur astronomer with modest equipment. On most days, it shows sunspots and other features that display a wealth of fine detail and change their appearance strikingly from day to day. But observing the Sun can be dangerous. Never look at the sun through an ordinary telescope or other optical aid, even for a brief instant. The Sun’s intense radiation, amplified and focused by a telescope, will almost certainly cause eye injury and could well lead to complete blindness. Do not attempt any solar observing until you have read and understood the safety precautions and