Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on May 5, 2010 2:31:35 GMT -6
Attaching the 50 mW Green Laser to the C5 SCT
I'm totally enjoying my 50 mW raw power green laser. With the new switch, ( astronomer.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=gotopost&board=Equipment&thread=2660&post=9166 ), it performs beautifully.
Pointing out celestial targets to visitors always impresses them...and not limited to just them, but my fellow seasoned astronomer pals as well. I have plans to attach one to the C11 SCT Beast, but what about the smaller C5...?
I spent one recent early morning experimenting with various configurations in attaching the laser to the C5....but it started out with the intent to image Saturn with the Canon Powershot S3...and I missed it, as it slid behind a neighbors house. Up and awake, I had time to develop something.
I set up the C5 scope outside of my garage at around 11:30 pm and had my astro dog, Laika, keep me company for the project...
Suppliers sell laser holders ($25.00 + ), but in my cabinet of telescope parts and accessories...I have spare finder scope holders. Mostly from inferior 60mm Dept. store scopes, I throw nothing away - 'cause you never know when it will come in handy...
Plastic ones, metal ones, anodized ones...I needed one that would fit the screw holes already on the C5. Some came close, but only one fit perfectly....
Using set screws that were shimmed with rubber washers made from a old inner tube, it fit on the OTA just fine and secure. The back of the laser rests perfectly against the "backwards" finder holder...and really...looks kinda cool...
Along with the Zero-Mag red Dot finder and the 63.5mm finderscope, it fits nicely in between the two...
Listening to classical tunes on the garage radio, both Laika and I enjoyed fiddling with the new tool...but will it work? Granted it is not a necessary piece of vital equipment to locate objects, but it is cool have have a green bean sweep out and point to the desired object...and impresses those around you...
About a mile away, there is a smoke stack from a utility company that I can view from the garage. I can tell what direction is wind is blowing from the steam's direction and what the weather will be the next day.
Could I hit the smokestack and align it with the C5 SCT?
Let's find out.
Naked eye, I could see the beam reach out to the target, but could not see if it made it's mark. Loosening the adjustment screws, I made minute alt/az adjustments to the laser while in the holder and looking at the target - centered in the eyepiece.
Dang......I illuminated the smoke stack...!
With the enlarged "double beam" now I had with the laser after the new switch modification - the spread area is larger now - spanning more then twenty feet in diameter, but still bright enough to cast a eerie glow on the stack.
Righteous!
With some collimation adjustments, the laser was now dead on with the main OTA and will be a great hit at star parties. I have to remove the holder and the Zero-Mag finder to place the C5 in it's carrying case, and that's cool. It's easily mounted back on and just part of aligning the finders before a session.
If it looks this good on the small C5, it will be magnificent on the C11 Beast. More on that later.
I dig it.... ;D
