Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Make a trial assembly to check align- that is, when the telescope is oriented, its
ment of the optical elements. When polar axis parallels the axis of the earth,
viewed from above, the diagonal mirror making the time-dial plane parallel to the
should show the open front of the tube plane of the equator. Before starting
as a circle of light centered in the hole construction, consult an atlas to determine
for the eyepiece. You may have to shift your latitude to the nearest degree.
or trim the mount to obtain this result. Subtract this from 90 degrees and you
Insert the eyepiece to make sure the tele- have the angle at which the time-dial plate
scope can be easily focused. Once satis- must tilt from horizontal. Attach the for-
fied, remove the unglued parts and paint ward leg to the time-dial plate with glue
the interior of the tube (and all parts and nails; then drill the hole for the pivot
that go in it) dull black. screw, making sure it's perpendicular to
The cell with the objective lens is at- the plate. Glue on the crescent-shaped
tached with masking tape. This permits time-dial extension, and paint the mount
removal for cleaning. a bright color.
The fork consists of two uprights an- When fastening the fork to the mount
chored to a disk and spaced far enough and the tube to the fork, tighten the pivot
apart to allow the telescope tube to fit screws just enough to hold the telescope
snugly between. In assembling, run a on target yet allow a smooth shift to a
dowel through the holes in the sides to new target. Your telescope can't function
align the declination axis at right angles as a star finder, however, until it's
to the polar axis. The unpainted slip equipped with the all-important dials that
disks are glued on last. A slight taper on point the way to celestial objects. Since
the edge of the fork base and filler pieces these dials must be accurately graduated,
assures a tight fit for the removable right- POPULAR SCIENCE has arranged to have
ascension ring. full-size reproductions of all six included
The mount is of the equatorial type— in a kit containing the optical elements
you'll need to make your Star Finder
(see note at bottom of column at left).
THE SIX READY-TO-CUT-OUT DIALS are Adding the dials. The time dial does
available in the PS Star Finder Kit, No. 60,- not turn. It is glued to the mount. But
223—$3.95 postpaid from Edmund Scien- it must be properly related to the center-
tific Co., 101 E. Gloucester Pike, Harrington,
N.J. This price also covers an eyepiece set, line of the mount. Go back to the map to
first-surface mirror, and 7 x 50 objective lens. determine your longitude to the nearest
118 POPULAR SCIENCE DECEMBER 1961