TeleVue Sol-Searcher Sun Finding Device

Please note: The Sol-Searcher is not a solar filter! You must purchase and attach your own solar filter to your telescope before using the Sol-Searcher finder.

Introduction
"I can't find the Sun!" sounds funny. However, the Sun should be tricky to find in a properly filtered telescope. You don't ever want to chance a direct gaze at the sun, let alone a magnified image of it. Sol-Searcher is absolutely safe because in order to use it, you look away from the sun. It functions as a projector, with its aperture acting as a "pinhole" to image the sun back on a translucent "screen".

Safety
Always make sure your telescope solar filter is safe and secure, finder telescope is covered, and your equipment is not left unattended. Remember, Sol-Searcher is a projection unit. Do not try to view the sun through the "pinhole" aperture.

Mounting
The Sol-Searcher attaches to the mount ring slot of every Tele Vue telescope (or to the rear cell slot in the Tele Vue Ranger).
1) With the nameplate side facing the front of the telescope, position the Sol-Searcher in the mount ring slot.
2) Insert the #10-32 cap head screws in the holes and tighten with the 5/32" Allen wrench.
For use with telescopes other than Tele Vue, mount the Sol-Searcher using #10-32 screws, or if necessary, attach with Velcro (not supplied).

Alignment and Use
The aperture acts like a "pinhole camera" to prject a bright solar disc onto the 1/4" translucent screen in the rear of the unit. You simply center the image on the screen to safely locate the sun, viewing the screen from either side.
1) After Sol-Searcher is mounted, center the projected image of the Sun in the translucent screen.
2) Look through your widest field eyepiece. You should see at least a portion of the sun. (Please note that it is unlikely you'll be able to accurately align Sol-Searcher so that the Sun is precisely centered. Sol-Searcher is for "capturing" the sun.)
3) If the sun was not in the field, or your want to try to align the image better, simply loosen the button head screws on the front and move the disc (the holes are oversized) to align the sun while it appears centered in the telescope. Retighten the button head screws.

Care
If necessary, the projection screen can be cleaned with a camel hair brush or cotton swab with Windex. Use very gently to prevent pushing out the projection screen. Note: Should the projection screen get poked out, please call Tele Vue!