The Platform
- All of the components are made of aluminum except for the pillow blocks,
the Base (horizontal plate) of the Platform, and the car jack (Yes, a car
jack.).
- The car jack is used to obtain north (or south) celestial pole alignment.
It provides the ability to easily change the mount's alignment
and, consequently, allows the mount to be used nearly anywhere on Earth.
- The right ascension and declination shafts are hollow in order to reduce
weight.
- Two 4-inch long pipes attached to the shafts and located between the four
pillow blocks are "clamps". They are used to lock the
shafts in place and can be loosened to a desired amount so that the
telescope can be rotated on the axes.
- The two flanges that connect the right ascension shaft to the Declination
plate and the Declination Shaft to the telescope tube plate are custom
built. Initially, floor flanges were used to connect the shafts to
the plates. While testing, I discovered that the flanges weren't
sturdy enough for the job since they had only 3/4-inch long necks.
A friend built the custom-made flanges using a lathe.
- The declination setting circle is clutched between a clamp on the flange
and nylon, threaded screws. It will turn with the shaft or can be
hand-turned at will, thanks to the screws.
- The telescope tube is held in place by two ratcheting tie downs and it
rests on two blocks of wood which are bolted to the telescope tube plate.
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Created: November 4, 2001