Solar prism

Opto-mechanical constructions are referred to as solar prisms, with which the observation of the sun is made safer, more convenient and / or more precise.

There are several aspects to consider that are essential for solar observation :

1. the great abundance of light - the need for one or more suitable filters or other damping measures
2. the development of heat - protection against cracking, for example of the telescope eyepiece or the filter
3. the possible shadowing of disturbing side daylight or effective screens
4. and, depending on the construction, other aspects (thermal stability of the instrument, photography, etc.)

Known systems of solar prisms come from

• the optician Rudolf Brandt (Sonneberg Observatory, approx. 1950) with a flat prism (optics) and particularly effective heat avoidance
• the geodesist Brar Roelofs (Netherlands?, approx. 1955) for solar azimuth measurement with theodolites
• some designers of large solar telescopes .

See also: day observation , solar activity , coelostat