Optimal Eyepiece For Viewing The Sun

[jpelli]

I am trying to get ready for the Aug. 21 eclipse. I have been using my 40 mm eyepiece but the sun is too large in the viewing area. I'm afraid I would miss much of the corona during totality. What size eyepiece would fit the sun about the size of a quarter or half dollar in the viewing area? Thanks.

[Lowjiber]

What scope are you intending to use?

[seawolfe]

For my 8 inch SCT with my white light solar filter, the sun fits just right in my 40mm 1.25" EP from Celestron.

[GulfCoastGuy]

You can get a good idea here.

Astronomy Tools

Choose "The Sun" from the pull down in the Solar System field and enter the requested data for your Scope (FL & Aperture) and Eyepiece (FL & AFOV). Just leave the scope and eyepiece fields on "Custom". Select a Focal Reducer/Barlow if any is used. Then click "Add To View". The view can display many different eyepiece/modifier combinations at the same time so play around.

GCG

[jpelli]

Thank you for the quick responses. I am using a Celestron CGE1100, focal length 2800mm/F10.

[Davesellars]

OK, so the Sun fits inside the FOV of the 40mm eyepiece but as you say you want it to be smaller to see the corona. Did your scope come with a 2" diagonal? You'll need one if not to be able to get a wider field of view using a 70 degree eyepiece for example.

[GulfCoastGuy]

You may want to look into a 0.63x reducer. That and a 40mm Plossl would give you a good field.

2017-08-09 08_46_16-astronomy.tools.png

[GulfCoastGuy]

Available - new in the box on Ebay.

Meade Instruments 07545 LX f/6.3 Focal Reducer and Field Flattener Black | eBay

[GulfCoastGuy]

Be careful you get off that eyepiece before totality ends. A rude (and potentially damaging and painful) flash awaits. Set a timer.

[jpelli]

Hey guys, I bought the last Celestron f/6.3 Reducer/Corrector available on the internet at this time. There was one left at a reasonable price on the internet plus it ships free within 3-4 days. Can't beat that. Thanks for all you guys' help!