[ATM] Ball Scope First Light

[Jason Hissong <jhissong@gmail.com>]

An update on my ball scope.  First, I got it fully assembled.  There is 
some tweaking to do with the mirror cell, but everything is put in.  
Here are updated pictures:

http://www.undermidnight.com/images/atm/ball-scope-assembled-1.jpg
http://www.undermidnight.com/images/atm/ball-scope-assembled-2.jpg
http://www.undermidnight.com/images/atm/ball-scope-assembled-3.jpg
http://www.undermidnight.com/images/atm/ball-scope-assembled-4.jpg

Second... I just got in from first light.  I went outside to let the 
dogs out, and looked up and there were stars!  So I hurried in, threw 
the mirror into the scope (gently of course!), grabbed an eyepiece, 
pointed it in the general direction of Mars, and behold.  Mars was in 
the field of view. 

Now, a couple of notes...  the mirror is still not finished being 
figured.  I am still struggling with Foucault getting zones 5 and 6.  So 
I have pretty much given up on that and went strictly to Ronchi.  
According to the Ronchi test, I am still under corrected with a raised 
edge (I think). Also, the optics are not lined up yet (remember, I just 
threw the mirror into the scope! :-) so I was getting severe coma.  
However, with my 25mm eyepiece, I was able to see a circle at focus and 
light and dark areas on Mars.  I also glimpsed M45 for grins.

So now I know how you guys feel after first light.  It is an awesome 
feeling knowing that I took a hunk of glass, polished it out, and was 
able to focus starlight.  Also, because I used TurboCAD to design the 
scope (and do all the measurements), things came to focus without having 
to recut the trusses.

Wow...  

My last resort on the mirror is to send it off to get figured by a 
professional.  I already contacted Discovery Optics in regards to this 
and they seem to be able to do the job for me (and coat the mirror while 
they are at it..)

Clear Skies

Jason Hissong

-- 

"A long journey starts with the first step and an understanding spouse."
http://www.undermidnight.com - astronomy and astrophotography
http://www.n8xe.com - ham radio
http://www.jasonhissong.com - electronic music composition

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