Making Bahtinov Mask

[Davey-T]

Does anyone know if there are any instructions for making a Bahtinov mask one the forum ,or anywhere else for that matter ?

Davey-T

[Digz]

There is a website which gives a mask generator, unfortunately it's book marked on my mac not my iPad......a google search should find it.....

Edit: I think this is it

http://astrojargon.net/MaskGen.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

[Davey-T]

Thanks Lee ,blimey that was quick, didn't even have time to make a cup of tea.

Davey-T

[Digz]

No probs, just added a link to my original post.

[squeaky]

Try...

Stellar focusing: With your camera set up and mounted and in live view you can use an aid to help get perfect focus on a star... a Bahtinov Mask can help. For an explanation of how it works see: http://en.wikipedia....i/Bahtinov_mask and this website will allow you to print one specifically "tuned" to your telescope: astrojargon - Bahtinov Focusing Mask Generator: Version 0.4

Note: For larger aperture telescopes you may need to load the generated image into some editing software and resize it upwards to fit yours. Then divide the image into quarters that will print life size on A4 paper, cut them out, and tape them together. Then you need to cut out the "white bits".

This image of the whole mask would need printing with a mask diameter of 12" which is too big to print on a single A4 page:

So cut it into quarters, print each quarter, cut them out and tape/glue together:

[Viv]

Online template generator : http://astrojargon.net/MaskGenerator.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

Instructions : http://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/bahtinov-mask

There is another site - but don't know where I've put the link ...........................

[Bizibilder]

Have a look in the DIY section of the forum for various threads on making masks. My own favourite is to use a Tesco's plastic A4 wallet/folder and cut the thing out with a scalpel. As long as you are reasonably careful a really good, hardwearing mask results.

In theory you need a different mask for each aparture/focal length but you can get away with a "near enough mask" of you have two scopes.

[Digz]

I must admit, I've only used a simple Y mask. Easier to construct and achieves the same end result......food for thought

[Pete Presland]

i did make one a couple of summers back, it was quite time consuming though

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/79408-diy-bahtinov-mask/page__hl__%2Bbunnygod1+%2Bmask