Science Standards:
Nature of Science, Energy & Matter, and Scientific Models (Scale)
Objectives:
Materials:
Directions:
1. Never look at the Sun through a telescope . The focused
light can permanently blind an observer in 0.1 second. Don't trust solar
filters unless they have been looked at by a professional prior to each
use. Never use filters that fit on the eyepiece.
2. Set up the telescope (cover the finder scope with cap or lots of masking tape) and the solar projection screen. Align with the Sun using the shadow of the telescope on the ground (the shadow of the tube should be circular and not cylindrical).
3. Measure and record the diameter of the Sun's image.
4. Record the focal length of the objective lens and the focal length of the eyepiece lens.
5. Determine the magnification by dividing the objective lens focal length by the eyepiece focal length.
6. Determine the diameter of the Sun using the following relationships: