Re: ATM Another question about the foucault test................

["scottythefiddler" <scottythefiddler@cogeco.ca>]

Hey John,

You are making wonderful progress with your mirror.

My preference is to be very fresh, and to work without interruptions.   Get
the concentration up to find the null zones.  I like to take lots of
readings.   Perhaps do 5 to 10 sets each, on 3 differents nights.   After
about 10 to 20 sets of readings, you can see where the average values are
heading.   You can also see that your readings are repeatable, when you
compare the averages of different sets of readings.   This will give you
confidence that your data is solid.   For me, I make sure that I don't look
at the dial until I am satisfied that the KE has found the null.   Want to
make certain that my readings reflect reality, and not my wishes.

You are likely getting the 'hang of it', and it may be getting easier to
find the null.  Take your time, and gets lots of sets of good data.

Cheers,
Scott Donaldson


You can learn to fiddle at
http://home.cogeco.ca/~scottythefiddler/index.html
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Murray" <imasloth@bigpond.com>
To: "Amateur Telescope Makers" <atm@shore.net>
Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2003 9:37 PM
Subject: ATM Another question about the foucault test................


>
> Morning All,
> I noticed something this morning which seems a bit odd. I've done a few
> sets now of the k/edge test and generally I notice after the first set
that
> I get tired? or whatever and am unable to make decent judgements as the
> knife edge is moving and the zones are nulling. This morning I was quite
> tired and weary after a 12 hr night shift and yet I was able to do two
tests
> straight off with less variation in the readings. It also seemed easier to
> pick up the nulling in the zones. Perhaps the secret with this test is to
be
> really knackered when doing it! Is this a good way or should I just put
the
> readings down to a fluke. How do others find it?
>
> Cheers
>
> John Murray
> Whyalla
> South Australia
> Check our web page at http://astronomy.sa86net.com ATM and M-O-M stuff.
> Latest Ronchigrams only at http://www.users.bigpond.com/imasloth/
>
>
>
>