The Daytime Stargazing Guide: Safely View & Photograph Sunspots with Your Gskyer

Still waiting for the sun to go down to take out your telescope? You might be missing out on the biggest cosmic show of 2026.

We are currently right in the middle of the Solar Cycle 25 maximum. That means the Sun is incredibly active right now, making broad daylight the actual prime time for stargazing. Don't worry if you've never pointed a telescope at the sky while the sun is up. Today, we're going to walk you through exactly how to safely spot and photograph giant sunspots right from your backyard.

THE GOLDEN RULE: Safety First

Before we even touch a telescope, we need to talk about safety. This guide follows strict NASA and American Astronomical Society (AAS) guidelines.

⚠️ EXTREME SAFETY WARNING: > Never look at the Sun directly with your eyes, binoculars, or any telescope without a proper, ISO-certified solar filter. Doing so will cause permanent eye damage or blindness in a fraction of a second. Never use "eyepiece" solar filters (the small ones that screw into the back), as they can crack from intense heat.

You must use a full-aperture, front-mounted solar filter (ISO 12312-2 certified).

How to Buy the Right Filter:

• Gskyer does not currently sell solar filters. You'll need to grab a certified one separately from reputable brands like Baader AstroSolar, Thousand Oaks Optical, or Celestron.

• Measure, Don't Guess: Please don't just buy a "70mm filter" for a 70mm telescope. Measure the Outer Diameter (OD) of the front of your telescope tube (the dew shield) and buy a filter that fits snugly over that exact measurement.

Best Gskyer Telescopes for Daytime Solar Viewing

Our AZ-series refractors are fantastic for solar observing. Their closed-tube design keeps the internal air stable, giving you incredibly sharp, high-contrast views of sunspots.

• Gskyer AZ70400 (70mm): Perfect for quick backyard sessions or throwing in your car for a lunch-break observation. Click here to learn more details.

• Gskyer AZ80400 (80mm): The sweet spot. It pulls in more surface detail but is still incredibly easy to move around. Click here to learn more details.

• Gskyer AZ90600 (90mm): If you want to really see the contrast between the dark center of a sunspot and its lighter edges, this longer focal length is what you want. Click here to learn more details.

• Gskyer 130EQ Reflector: For the serious sunspot trackers wanting maximum resolution. (Just make sure your front-mounted solar filter is locked down extra tight on this wider tube!). Click here to learn more details.

The 5-Minute Safe Setup

1. Filter On First: Before you even take the telescope outside, attach the certified solar filter securely over the front objective lens. Tape it down if it feels even slightly loose.

2. Disable the Finder Scope: CRITICAL STEP. Either remove your finder scope entirely or ensure both front and back caps are firmly on. Do not look through it!

3. The "Shadow Trick": To aim at the Sun safely, just look at the shadow your telescope casts on the ground. Move the tube around until its shadow shrinks into a perfect, small circle. When the shadow is circular, you are pointing right at the Sun.

4. Focus: Drop in a low-power eyepiece (like your 25mm) and slowly turn the focus knobs until the Sun’s edge is razor-sharp.

How to Photograph Sunspots with Your Phone

You don't need a heavy DSLR to capture the action. Your included Gskyer smartphone adapter works perfectly.

1. Slide the adapter over the eyepiece and clamp your phone securely.

2. Open your camera app and switch to Pro/Manual Mode.

3. Settings to try:

   • ISO: 100–200 (Keep it low to reduce noise).

   • Shutter Speed: 1/500s to 1/2000s (The Sun is incredibly bright, so you need a very fast shutter).

   • Focus: Manual. Tap the edge of the Sun’s disk on your screen.

4. Use the included Bluetooth remote to snap the photo without shaking the telescope. Take a bunch of shots and pick the sharpest one!

Pro Tip: Shoot a photo every 2 or 3 days. You will actually be able to watch the sunspots move as the Sun rotates on its 25-day axis.

Ready to catch the action?

Since the Sun is putting on such a great show right now, it's the perfect time to grab a Gskyer and start your daytime astronomy journey. (Plus, we've got you covered with free U.S. shipping and a lifetime warranty).

If you capture a massive sunspot, tag us @gskyer on Instagram! Just do us a huge favor and mention that you used a safe solar filter in your caption, so we can keep our community learning the right way.