Artificial Star Device

[04Stefan07]

Looking for one for my SCT.

PM me!

[multiweb]

You can make your own with a bit of optic fiber. Easy.

[04Stefan07]

Yeah I saw a tutorial on here on how to make one but the materials and time is more than buying one already made!

[Merlin66]

What about a reflective ball bearing 20-40 feet from the scope?
The solar glitter point is ideal.

[04Stefan07]

If anyone on here is able to make one I would be more than happy to pay :D

[gts055]

Hii, Stefan, I made mine by putting a piece of aluminium foil in front of an led torch, with the foil flat against the lens of the torch, then take a pin and push this against the foil to make a tiny perforation, just the point of the pin to make the tiniest of holes. Mark

[04Stefan07]

Hey Mark,

That sounds like the most simplest way to do it! I might give this one a go.

Does it work alright?

[Greenswale]

Stevan, guess what? I have a spare artificial star that I will donate to you.

See ya at Snake Valley camp, bring three AAA batteries to make it work. If you have the standard cross head screws on the secondary for adjustment, be sure that you have a screw driver that fits them perfectly.

[gts055]

Hii Stefan, yes, very simple and it works fine. I put 3 or 4 tiny pinholes in the foil. You can make holes by placing the foil on some hardwood and make varying sizes depending on how hard you push the needle then tape the foil to the led torch. Try several holes and then select the one that gives the best effect in your telescope. Set it 30 or more meters from the telescope and "star" test away. Mark

[5ash]

Have you looked at this link
http://observatory.mvastro.org/library/Star_Test/ArtStar.html
I built one from a small led torch , a 2" piece of pvc water pipe, a 1.25" to 2" adapter, 10mm plossel eyepiece and a pvc plastic end cap that fitted into the tube. I drilled a nice round hole based on the instructions. The eyepiece acts as a reducer to create a tiny symmetrical star when observed at the calculated distance. I think it is unlikely that you could reliably punch a hole as has been suggested. After all the Hubble device has tiny holes created by a laser.
Regards philip