Hi all,here are a few pictures of a guidescope I built thet holds the webcam magnetically.This is to allow a simple way to adjust the lateral position of the webcam to find a suitable guidestar.We all know how annoying this can be for dim objects in not so bright star fields.
It also fits onto any telescope with 1 1/4" fitting.This 1 1/4" adapter has a 130mm lens inside to act as a focal reducer,giving a wider choice of stars.The metal discs are out of old floppy drives.The magnets from Jaycar.
The PVC tube guidescope has a relatively cheap achromat 340mm 103mm dia.
The on screen picture (Guidedog)of the jewel box gives some idea of the system ability to see even dim stars.Even at a focal length of only 340mm it is accurate enough to guide the Tal200k.
The best thing about it is there is no drift due to flexure as none of the mounting hardware is disturbed.
Very innovative avandonk. I was trying something like this a few months back, not the same idea but rather, a repelling magnetic telescope drive for my EQ mount.
That looks like a great idea Avandonk. As h0ughy sasy "It gives me some ideas" Any chance of doing up a bit of sketch on paper and a little bit more details on construction so Mike can put it into the Projects and DYI section of the site?
I can do a drawing but as it was only meant to be a prototype may be a few more pictures would help.The tube is ordinary 100mm (nominal) PVC plumbers tube.I used 100mm end caps for the ends.To hold the lens drilled and tapped 6mm metric threads into the tube and used 6mm metric nylon screws.
AT the rear attached a steel disc salvaged from a floppy drive with three self tap screws to an end cap.The webcam was then attached to another floppy drive steel disc .You could use one of the 1 1/4" webcam adapters.
To obtain focus just cut the tube to length and adjust the position of the end cap and then glue with superglue.
This guidescope is very light and compact.It was much easier to attach to my Tal200K with nothing more than a wood 'spacer' and large stainless hose-clips.It works well the picture is Omega Cent. taken with the Tal200k guided.
I can do a drawing but to do it properly would take a day or two.
If you want more information just ask.I'm also working on a variable reducer
for refractors but thats another story
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