Solar Finder-Scope
thingiverse
Solar Aligner for your telescope clips onto existing finder-scope, projecting a precise dot onto the target to signal solar alignment. WARNING: ONLY USE THIS SOLAR ALIGNER IF YOUR TELESCOPE IS EQUIPPED WITH A FULL-APERTURE SOLAR FILTER OR YOU MAY BLIND YOURSELF PERMANENTLY! Note: This part has been thoroughly redesigned for hassle-free 3D printing without support - print it upright to ensure optimal results. This updated version supersedes my previous Solar Finder-Scope, which was not optimized for 3D printing. Install a full-aperture solar filter on your telescope and direct the telescope towards the sun - the pinhole will cast a bright spot onto the target, guiding you to align your telescope perfectly with the sun's rays. The accuracy of the solar dot hitting the center of the target cross-hairs may vary depending on printer precision and alignment accuracy when snapping onto the existing finder-scope. However, it should remain consistently reproducible between solar viewing sessions if left fixed in place rather than removed and reinstalled. You might need to adjust the diameter of the clip to fit your finderscope snugly, ensuring a secure click-on attachment (detailed for my Celestron Red Dot Finder with an outer diameter of 26 mm). Thingiverse files are uneditable "lumps," but you can access a full parametric editable version on my OnShape Account by searching for "Solar Finder Mk 3" and logging in. To achieve a crisp sun image, you may need to ream out the pinhole using a drill bit.
With this file you will be able to print Solar Finder-Scope with your 3D printer. Click on the button and save the file on your computer to work, edit or customize your design. You can also find more 3D designs for printers on Solar Finder-Scope.