My $15 artificial star

I thought I would have a go at a real backyard version of this. They sell for about 130US dollars. Mine cost AUD15. and it works. A cardboard box, some foil, bit of spray matt black paint and a $15 energiser LED torch from woolies.

Necessity is the mother of invention. Must admit I got it from a similar idea posted on cloudy nights.

[elusiver]

sorry.. dumb question.. what do u use it for?

el

[rumples riot]

Collimation adjustment

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by Exfso

I thought I would have a go at a real backyard version of this. They sell for about 130US dollars. Mine cost AUD15. and it works. A cardboard box, some foil, bit of spray matt black paint and a $15 energiser LED torch from woolies.

Necessity is the mother of invention. Must admit I got it from a similar idea posted on cloudy nights.

come on give us the full details and how you did it! and how you use it too!! Thanks

[iceman (Mike)]

sorry.. dumb question.. what do u use it for?

Cloudy nights?

[ving (David)]

get 5 and make crux?

[acropolite (Phil)]

Artificial Star, must be Exfso alpha......

Here's where I got the idea from. I used a different torch of course, but the same principle

http://www.cloudynights.com/documents/star.pdf

[asimov (John)]

Good idea ol' fart! I've been thinking of using a 1/4" ballbearing stuck out in the middle of a paddock.

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by asimov

Good idea ol' fart! I've been thinking of using a 1/4" ballbearing stuck out in the middle of a paddock.

Now thats something we need for the star camp

[johnno]

Hi All,
A really good idea,Allows collimation during daylight,I have also made one,and they work well,
Much better than fumbling for screws,allen keys etc,in the dark.
Regards.John

[cahullian]

If you use it during the day you wouldn't need to turn the torch on

Que

[RAJAH235]

Hey Asi, How do you see it, if it's in the grass??? L.

Am I missing something here, I want what you guys are takin'

[gbeal]

I too reckon they are on summin' O.F. but I too use an artificial star. Indoors on a dirty night (Cloudy if you like Mike) is sure gets it close, and on that really good night you can tweak it slightly if necessary.
I used to use the ball bearing, but found it difficult.
Across grass is the best if doing this during the day.
I either us the LED across some paddocks, or across the inside of a BIG shed I observe from if the weather isn't good.
Gary