artifical star for collomation

Hi Seanie,

It only came out about 2 yrs ago I think. Marketed under the BC&F and Rigel brands.

The star is basically a small box with a tripod adaptor. It gives a 50 micron point of light so you can collimate closer. It also allows you to vary brightness between mags 1-10. BTW I think older versions were 125 microns.

Pulsar, AstroEngineering and a couple of other places sell them in the UK.
www.pulsar-optical.co.uk/prod/rigel/gene...sories/picostar.html
It's 20 pounds more expensive at astro-engineering!

Costly but for me it was worth it as we just don't get enough clear skies steady skies to spend the time on collimation at night.

Trev

hmmm. think i might try making one. anyone know where you can get a tiny piece of optical fibre? in what store would you have a chance of finding it? Phil, I pm'ed you. thanks for going to all that trouble for me!

hmmm. think i might try making one. anyone know where you can get a tiny piece of optical fibre?

How about those gimmick multicoloured lights? I have one with about 800 fibre optic strands - I am sure I can clip one off and post it to you! (each strand is about 10 inches long)

Seanie.

You might consider a laser collimator.
i use it for the Dob and it works very well, I get collimation in less then a minute! and its good enough not to need further adjustment at the eyepiece.

hmmm. think i might try making one. anyone know where you can get a tiny piece of optical fibre?

How about those gimmick multicoloured lights? I have one with about 800 fibre optic strands - I am sure I can clip one off and post it to you! (each strand is about 10 inches long)

Seanie.

jes, never even thought of that! i was thinking along the lines of some form of telecommunications cable! i remember years ago we had one of those fibreoptic light things! il have a look when i get home again and see if it has not since been thrown away, but if not, il gladly accept your offer. Thanks a mil!

one more things guys. are there any household items ( old binos or something) that contain a condenser lens?