Solo Stars at Kaʻohe
Category: Astronomy
Exploring the cosmos
Neptune at Opposition
Today the planet Neptune will pass through opposition, directly opposite the Sun in our sky. The planet will be well placed for observation all night long, rising at sunset, transiting at midnight, and setting at sunrise. If you are looking to observe Neptune, it is currently shining at magnitude 7.8 in southern Pisces.
As the outer planets Uranus and Neptune move so slowly across the sky, the timing of oppositions is driven by the Earth’s orbit and occur each year at nearly the same time. Neptune’s orbital period is 164.8 years, taking over a century and a half to circle the celestial globe once. As Neptune was discovered in 1846, it has completed a little over one orbit since discovery.
Awaiting Dark
Telescope Walkabout
Sunset Telescopes
M42
The Beehive
Rotating Tube Rings
No project is ever completely done, even one “finished” decades ago… My 6″ f/5 RFT is the current incarnation of my first telescope, Primero. Built into an 8″ irrigation pipe this ‘scope is a rich field ‘scope that is just fun to use. And yes, I worked on this telescope again.
One feature I have always meant to change is the tube rings. Simple aluminum straps that I kept loose enough to allow the ‘scope to be rotated to keep the eyepiece at a convenient angle for viewing. The issue is that in use the tube would constantly slide down through the rings throwing the mount off-balance.
I finally got around to fixing that. A set of 3D printed rings along with a stop mounted to the tube that prevented this sliding, keeping everything centered and balanced. The rings are attached to each other by the two dovetails and a handle forming a cage.
Continue reading “Rotating Tube Rings”Observing Table
Treasured Tools
I find I have a number of tools about that have a name on them, a name that is not mine.
No, I did not steal them!!
A couple of these names belong to people I once knew, guys that are no longer here to argue about ownership of these tools.
Yes, I have tools with the names of dead guys.
Continue reading “Treasured Tools”