Yep, those are all good points and as I mentioned in my previous post, I am considering walking down that path again. I have also used the insulator trick in the past. Aw, come on, you can brave the cold at night in the winter! -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Hards Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2011 11:16 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] ATM session report and next planned date On 10/18/11, Hutchings, Mat (H USA) <mat.hutchings@siemens.com> wrote:
Hi Chuck;
I have had too many problems with getting an artificial star to work well.
Yeah, the Christmas ornament has it's limitations, but don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Epoxy a large-diameter ball bearing to any convenient structure or tree. It won't swing in the wind. It also helps to stick a square of black plastic such as ABS behind it, to increase contrast. It doesn't have to be really high up, but the higher it is, the less ground currents you have to deal with. You can also mount it on a stick or tripod and just take it to a nearby schoolyard or football field. Also, I've used the specular reflections off of glass or ceramic insulators, but that was a long time ago. I don't know if they still use shiny insulators on poles anymore. Richard Berry described how to make a battery-powered artificial star a couple of decades ago, that he just toted out to a nearby field. I prefer shop work in the daytime, and star-testing in winter outdoors at night has it's own set of problems. _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- This message and any included attachments are from Siemens Medical Solutions and are intended only for the addressee(s). The information contained herein may include trade secrets or privileged or otherwise confidential information. Unauthorized review, forwarding, printing, copying, distributing, or using such information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you received this message in error, or have reason to believe you are not authorized to receive it, please promptly delete this message and notify the sender by e-mail with a copy to Central.SecurityOffice@siemens.com Thank you