How to Observe the Sun?

With the Smart Solar Filter, you can automatically point at and track the Sun. This article will guide you through the steps for observing the Sun.

We have a solar filter available for all of our models of telescopes:

The Smart Solar Filter Ø 112mm works for EVSCOPE and EQUINOX.

The Smart Solar Filter Ø 82mm works for ODYSSEY telescopes.

You'll find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about Sun observation here: FAQ: Sun Observation

1 - Set up Your Telescope
 

Set up the tripod, making sure it’s level, then place the telescope on top while keeping the dust cap on. Next, turn on the telescope and connect your smartphone to the instrument.

2 - Select the Sun
 

You can now select the Sun (and other objects) in three different ways within the app:

- by selecting it directly from the Planetarium

- by typing “Sun” into the search bar on the home page

- by searching for it in the catalog

Warning: exposure to the Sun without the filter can cause irreparable damage to the sensor.

From the Planetarium: move around the sky, tap the Sun, then tap Goto.

From the search bar at the bottom of the home page: type “Sun”, tap it, then tap Goto.

From the Catalog, located at the bottom right of the screen , scroll or search for “Sun,” tap it, and then tap Goto.

After pressing the Goto button, an important tutorial will appear. It is essential to follow each step to ensure safe viewing of the Sun. This tutorial will appear every time you view the Sun. You can skip it once you are familiar with it.

3 - Inspect Your Solar Filter

Check that your Smart Solar Filter is free from scratches or holes; a faulty solar filter could damage your telescope’s sensor.

4 - Install Your Filter
 

Remove the cap and attach the Smart Solar Filter to your telescope (it is safer to do this indoors so as not to expose the sensor to direct sunlight without the filter).

5 - Manually Position the Telescope 
 

Loosen the tripod screws, then manually point your telescope mount toward the Sun.

When facing the Sun, the structure containing the motor should be on your right, as shown above. Be sure to tighten the tripod screws before beginning your observation. 

6 - Start the Solar Observation
 

Now you are ready to observe the Sun, and you can press the GoTo button.

The telescope will then automatically align itself with the Sun, which should take less than two minutes. Once the process is complete and successful, a confirmation message will appear in the app.

Next, press the “Dynamic Signal Amplification” button to enhance your view. You’ll then be able to admire the beauty of the ever-changing solar activity and observe its sunspots and facules—temporary phenomena on the photosphere caused by intense magnetic field fluxes.

Note: It is best to use the screen of a tablet or smartphone to observe the Sun with a UNISTELLAR telescope, as the telescope's eyepiece is not optimized for daylight observation. The screen provides better image clarity, and looking directly through the eyepiece may not be a comfortable experience when observing in daylight.

Note: You may need to manually adjust the focus wheel on the back of the telescope until you can see details, as shown in the screenshot above.