Harmon’s Aids Armature Astronomer Develop Hi-Tech Equipment
Sorry about the headline but that is how I felt when I tried out my 2 hole focus mask made from Harmon’s paper bags. Check it out: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=1199 I was surprised how well it worked. I have been having a hard time knowing when my camera is in focus when attached to my Orion 100mm APO. While I was waiting for the sky to clear I decided to make a focus mask and try it out. I discovered that I like the holes vertical better than horizontal. When viewing a bright star through the camera view finder while attached to the APO I could see 2 stars with wings. The stars were one above the other. Or they would be horizontal if the holes were horizontal. Then as I rotated the focuser the 2 stars came together and join as one. Then I knew I was in focus. That thing is going to be a permanent part of my Hi-tech equipment. Jim
Jim, Where were you when I needed you. I haven't heard of doing this and will really help in focusing on my LX-200 10". I am going to make one as well. Rodger Fry ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Gibson" <jimgibson00@yahoo.com> To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2009 8:12 PM Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Harmon’s Aids Armature Astronomer Develop Hi-Tech Equipment
Sorry about the headline but that is how I felt when I tried out my 2 hole focus mask made from Harmon’s paper bags. Check it out: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=1199
I was surprised how well it worked. I have been having a hard time knowing when my camera is in focus when attached to my Orion 100mm APO.
While I was waiting for the sky to clear I decided to make a focus mask and try it out. I discovered that I like the holes vertical better than horizontal. When viewing a bright star through the camera view finder while attached to the APO I could see 2 stars with wings. The stars were one above the other. Or they would be horizontal if the holes were horizontal. Then as I rotated the focuser the 2 stars came together and join as one. Then I knew I was in focus.
That thing is going to be a permanent part of my Hi-tech equipment.
Jim
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Roger I think you will be surprised how well it does work. Of course consider the paper bag a mock-up. You might want to make one our of better stuff, but don’t tell Harmon’s I said that. Also there is a 3 whole version that may be a little more accurate because when the 3 stars come together it’s more of a sure thing. Just space them out evenly. Jim --- On Sat, 2/28/09, Rodger C. Fry <rcfry@comcast.net> wrote: From: Rodger C. Fry <rcfry@comcast.net> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Harmon’s Aids Armature Astronomer Develop Hi-Tech Equipment To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Saturday, February 28, 2009, 8:20 PM Jim, Where were you when I needed you. I haven't heard of doing this and will really help in focusing on my LX-200 10". I am going to make one as well. Rodger Fry ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Gibson" <jimgibson00@yahoo.com> To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2009 8:12 PM Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Harmon’s Aids Armature Astronomer Develop Hi-Tech Equipment
Sorry about the headline but that is how I felt when I tried out my 2 hole
focus mask made from Harmon’s paper bags.
Check it out: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=1199
I was surprised how well it worked. I have been having a hard time knowing when my camera is in focus when attached to my Orion 100mm APO.
While I was waiting for the sky to clear I decided to make a focus mask and try it out. I discovered that I like the holes vertical better than horizontal. When viewing a bright star through the camera view finder while attached to the APO I could see 2 stars with wings. The stars were one above the other. Or they would be horizontal if the holes were horizontal. Then as I rotated the focuser the 2 stars came together and join as one. Then I knew I was in focus.
That thing is going to be a permanent part of my Hi-tech equipment.
Jim
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Jim, I will play around with this. Actually, I was thinking of going cheap and go with a Walmart bag but then I realized they only use white plastic. Actually, I think I will use foam-core poster board and build a rim with two layers of regular poster board. I made a full aperture bader solar filter this way and it worked great. Thanks for your help Rodger ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Gibson" <jimgibson00@yahoo.com> To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2009 8:44 PM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Harmon’s Aids Armature Astronomer Develop Hi-Tech Equipment
Roger I think you will be surprised how well it does work. Of course consider the paper bag a mock-up. You might want to make one our of better stuff, but don’t tell Harmon’s I said that. Also there is a 3 whole version that may be a little more accurate because when the 3 stars come together it’s more of a sure thing. Just space them out evenly.
Jim
--- On Sat, 2/28/09, Rodger C. Fry <rcfry@comcast.net> wrote:
From: Rodger C. Fry <rcfry@comcast.net> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Harmon’s Aids Armature Astronomer Develop Hi-Tech Equipment To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Saturday, February 28, 2009, 8:20 PM
Jim, Where were you when I needed you. I haven't heard of doing this and will really help in focusing on my LX-200 10". I am going to make one as well.
Rodger Fry ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Gibson" <jimgibson00@yahoo.com> To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2009 8:12 PM Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Harmon’s Aids Armature Astronomer Develop Hi-Tech Equipment
Sorry about the headline but that is how I felt when I tried out my 2 hole
focus mask made from Harmon’s paper bags.
Check it out: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=1199
I was surprised how well it worked. I have been having a hard time knowing when my camera is in focus when attached to my Orion 100mm APO.
While I was waiting for the sky to clear I decided to make a focus mask and try it out. I discovered that I like the holes vertical better than horizontal. When viewing a bright star through the camera view finder while attached to the APO I could see 2 stars with wings. The stars were one above the other. Or they would be horizontal if the holes were horizontal. Then as I rotated the focuser the 2 stars came together and join as one. Then I knew I was in focus.
That thing is going to be a permanent part of my Hi-tech equipment.
Jim
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Roger, My scope has a much smaller diameter than your LX-200 10”. I might be able to find a piece of PVC to fit over the 100MM. Then while we are at it we may as well build a flat field box with the same stuff. Just put some white diaper material over the one end or you could hire Michael Jordan to hold a white Hanze t-shirt over the front for you. Jim
Jim: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=1202 I used a sheet of black project board which cost $4 and cut it to fit snug inside the dew shield. DT --- On Sun, 3/1/09, Jim Gibson <jimgibson00@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: Jim Gibson <jimgibson00@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Harmon’s Aids Armature Astronomer Develop Hi-Tech Equipment To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Sunday, March 1, 2009, 3:07 AM Roger, My scope has a much smaller diameter than your LX-200 10”. I might be able to find a piece of PVC to fit over the 100MM. Then while we are at it we may as well build a flat field box with the same stuff. Just put some white diaper material over the one end or you could hire Michael Jordan to hold a white Hanze t-shirt over the front for you. Jim
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Cool Daniel, How do the triangles work instead of the circles? I have some naugahyde left over from a project. I think I will use some of that and make 3 tools; a focus mask, a flate field deal, and a cross for diffraction spikes. Just slip them on and there you go. Jim
Jim: The triangles make diffraction spikes that make it easier to find focus. DT --- On Sun, 3/1/09, Jim Gibson <jimgibson00@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: Jim Gibson <jimgibson00@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Harmon’s Aids Armature Astronomer Develop Hi-Tech Equipment To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Sunday, March 1, 2009, 3:17 PM Cool Daniel, How do the triangles work instead of the circles? I have some naugahyde left over from a project. I think I will use some of that and make 3 tools; a focus mask, a flate field deal, and a cross for diffraction spikes. Just slip them on and there you go. Jim
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Hi all, Sorry it's been a while since I've updated you on what's happening with The Final Frontier, found at http://blogs.sltrib.com/frontier Here's a listing of the most recent posts. Please come visit, and comments are always deeply, deeply appreciated! Stylin' space suits Intergalactic bakery? Talk about going the extra mile Colbert goes for the consolation prize Searching for the Moon's parents How low can you go? Sheena McFarland State Government Reporter The Salt Lake Tribune 90 S. 400 West, Suite 700 Salt Lake City, UT 84101 Office: (801) 257-8619 Cell: (801) 510-5567 Fax: (801) 257-8525 smcfarland@sltrib.com
participants (4)
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daniel turner -
Jim Gibson -
Rodger C. Fry -
Sheena McFarland