The Safest Optical Solution for Public Solar Observation & Astronomy Outreach. Looking directly at the Sun, or observing it through unfiltered optical instruments, causes immediate and permanent eye damage. While standard front-aperture film filters available on the market are generally safe when intact, they are inherently fragile. A minor dent, pinhole, or micro-fissure in a solar film can allow intense focused sunlight to pass through the telescope optics directly into the user's eye. Furthermore, in outdoor public settings or windy conditions, front-mounted filters risk being accidentally displaced or blown off.

To solve this challenge, Skylabs designed the Sun Funnel: an ultra-safe rear-projection system built specifically for group viewing, educational workshops, and public outreach events.

Technical Specifications & How It Works

The Sun Funnel attaches securely to the diagonal or focuser of your telescope setup.

• Optical Path: Sunlight enters the primary telescope aperture and passes through a standard eyepiece configured to yield approximately 60x magnification.

• Aperture Control: Designed for small telescopes or larger apertures using an aperture stop to regulate the total light and thermal energy entering the optical tube.

• Rear-Projection Screen: The expanded light beam projects onto a specialized translucent screen material, displaying a large, clear, and detailed image of the solar disk.

Complete Your Solar Setup

If you are using a compact tracking configuration (such as a small telescope on an equatorial mount), we strongly recommend pairing your Sun Funnel with the following essential accessories for fast, safe alignment:

1. Solar Finder: Enables quick, safe centering of the Sun without needing to look anywhere near the optical tube axis.

2. Polar Alignment Tool: Ensures precise solar tracking during extended daytime outreach sessions.