I know what I need to do in order to prototype a new design which overcomes the issues I discovered with the last version. But what I hadn't thought about yet is how I'm going to mount and align this device. So I've got some additional challenges to think about as well.
I'm hopeful that with this revision I'll be able to set the design baseline moving forward. Clock's Ticking!
One of the best things about Legos is the ability to tear it all apart and start all over again. While I'm a bit bummed my first version didn't yield as good a result as I would have liked, the experience taught me enough to make a little bit of progress.
Let's look at the modifications and see where we are now.
Right out of the gate, I have two challenges ahead. First, I need to design a system that is stable and precise enough to transfer power from a Lego motor to offset a change in my target's position by 0.25 degrees per minute. Second, I need to construct the device in such a way that it can handle the weight and torque required.
If I can't overcome both of these challenges, I'm dead in the water on this project. But I have a few ideas based on some Lego pieces I fished out of the carpeting and from under beds that I can begin to test.
Anyway, I'm gonna have some time on my hands waiting for my next imaging session. I was definitely a bit smitten with the dark skies we had in Kopalino and what a difference that made for my imaging. No doubt about it, I need to find a way to increase my signal to noise ratio and given my light pollution situation in Krakow, I need to find a way to start tracking.
But you said that's a future investment! Yes, I did - and it is. But with these cloudy skies and time to burn, I'm going to set about building my own tracker. No better way to learn the basics of tracking than to build my own. So it's time to up my fun with tracking.
After a long day on the road, we rolled up to Kopalino and I'll bet I spent more time looking at the sky than I did the village. Lots of clouds but I was hoping they'll blow out after sunset. Mind you, Kopalino is another 5 degrees North of Krakow, so the sunsets were late and long.
My son and I headed out on our first night in town to find a spot away from the streetlights. There was a nice breeze and sure enough, the clouds ended up rolling out. We were tired, so the plan was to just take a few snaps and then head in for the evening.
Once the sun went down, man, it was a totally different scene than in Krakow. The difference in light pollution was pretty stark. The Milky Way was faint but clearly visible in the sky above us. And Andromeda was ripe for shooting. Here is a recap of our week.
