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3. Astronomy
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The
DIY wedge can be finely adjusted using the two turnbuckles
to increase or decrease the angle to line up with the North
Pole. There is some slip between the wood base and the plastic
base to allow for a slight azimuth adjustment during polar
alignment. |
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The
wedge allows stars to be tracked using my Nexstar scope.
Adjustments of the RA axis are usually enough if the alignment
is correct.
The
Nexstar GoTo mount has an equatorial mounting mode. In
this mode only the RA axis is advanced automatically.
The mounting can be easily slewed using the handset to
to quickly change the field of view. |
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Three woodscews are all that are needed
to fix the Nextstar mount to the wedge. |
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Take
the scope away and attach the camera carrier to the mounting
and you have a very portable set up. The camera carrier
is made out of high density foam and attached with strong
50mm wide elastic straps - bought from the local dressmaking
shop! |
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The
mounting cup is removed from the tripod and attached to
the wedge by three wood screws. Three holes drilled in the
mount are the only modifications needed. |
The
results were surprisingly good but can be improved with
a better polar alignment.
If
I didn't have access to barn
door mounts for astrophotography then I would definitely
put this wedge on a pier as a permanent set up.
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