#1905: Telephilter

Today’s invention is a modification to a Newtonian telescope for novice astronomers.

A low-density photochromic sheet (blue) is placed over the aperture.

Inside, a smartphone (pink) is located behind the mirror. This device ‘knows’ both the position and orientation of the telescope (and the time).

If the scope starts to be pointed at eg the sun, the smartphone screen illuminates the photochromic sheet and dims the output image before it can blind the user.

Similarly, if the moon is being observed, the phone will perform the function of an automated moon filter.

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