Solar Finder

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It can be surprisingly challenging to locate the Sun through a telescope! The most effective way to do so typically involves minimizing the shadow of the scope as much as possible. However, even with this approach, pinpointing the exact location of the Sun can still pose some difficulties. That's where a Solar finder comes into play. It's essential to note that the two holes are not designed for direct observation towards the Sun. Instead, sunlight should pass through the first hole and project a precise spot onto the screen located opposite it. To achieve alignment with the Sun, simply maneuver the telescope so that the spot falls directly on the second hole. Before you can utilize the Solar finder to its full potential, it's crucial to ensure that it is properly aligned with the telescope itself. This is precisely why there are two holes present in the device. Due to their small size, these holes do not permit observation of shapes; thus, a bright light positioned on the opposite side of the garden is necessary for alignment purposes. To accomplish this, point the telescope towards the light source and adjust the finder until you can see it pass through both holes simultaneously. This process ensures that the Solar finder is accurately aligned with your telescope. In addition to utilizing the Solar finder, another effective technique involves positioning the telescope in a horizontal plane using either a bubble level or a mobile app. Subsequently, adjust the position of the finder so that it is perfectly horizontal as well. For the left-right adjustment, relying on visual observation to align the finder with the scope typically proves accurate enough. The up-down adjustment, however, requires moving the clamp ring that secures the finder in place (as depicted in a provided photograph). Due to the nature of this adjustment, achieving great precision is not strictly necessary.