What's in the finder??

[Moonshane]

Even now I struggle sometimes to know exactly where to go when finding tricky new objects such as the minefield of galaxies around Virgo and Coma.

I thought about how I could reconcile what I was seeing in my RACI finder with what I was seeing on the map. Most finders are 5 degrees field so I decided that out of black card I'd cut a circular hole to scale and made one for each star map I own and use. I laminated them for longevity.

This little addition makes a world of difference when finding your way across an unfamiliar patch of sky. I'd recommend them to anyone. Here's some pics to show you what I mean. You can of course also have a hole for any wide eyepieces you have to show e.g. 3 degrees.

[8kids]

I like it. Nice and simple.

Gary.

[Hzadbhat]

Love it. blumming love it.

Made a bahtinov last weekend.

I know what I'm doing this weekend.......

[JamesF]

A very neat idea, Shane.

James

[Qualia]

This is an amazing idea, Shane and it drives into what I was spouting about a week ago or so. Now, I know this sounds really dumb, but how do you draw that 5º cirlce? How did you work out its size relative to the maps you own? Any insight would be a really big help.

[Schorhr]

Cool!

I just had a similar idea the other day (but using my 3d printer) :-)

Something like that's really useful.

[Cath]

What is it they say about the simple ideas?

[JamesF]

What is it they say about the simple ideas?

It would good if more people progressed as far as having them?

James

[Cath]

Ha!

If only

[Steve Ward]

This is an amazing idea, Shane and it drives into what I was spouting about a week ago or so. Now, I know this sounds really dumb, but how do you draw that 5º cirlce? How did you work out its size relative to the maps you own? Any insight would be a really big help.

I'd get the dimension from the scale on the map/chart you're intending to use . . . .

[Moonshane]

Absolutely Steve. I chose a page close to the celestial equator (i.e. where the dec degree is 0) as the lines are straight then and it's accurate enough then. the diameter of the circle is 5 degrees. I used a compass cutter like this one (there are cheaper ones) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Olfa-Compass-Cutter-cutting-circles/dp/B000BK7NWC for the circles - very useful tool! recommended by Olly on another thread.

[Nibor]

A neat idea!!

I found that my local plumbing merchant has a wide selection of black rubber "O" rings.

After referring to the scales on my star maps I aquired the correct sizes and added a small handling tag which I labeled accordingly.

Seems to work quite well for me - and I can see the adjacent stars as well.

[Moonshane]

there's always more than one way to skin a cat

[swamp thing]

Yep! I use one of those circle templates. Having a laminated atlas, I then draw my star hops directly onto the map with a china graph pencil. These can be wiped off at the conclusion of the night.

[TractionMan]

Very nice! Going to cope your idea if you don't mind.

[Moonshane]

that's why I post this sort of thing so copy away

[AndyWB]

Funny, I knocked up something similar a couple of weeks ago from one of those self adhesive credit card wallets. I traced the telerad circles from the cover of the Sky and Telescope pocket atlas with a permanent marker. Also made a reminder note about different eyepieces, field of view, magnification, etc..

[Philk_80]

This is just what I am after. You guys are geniuses!! Thanks

One question, I am using the Cambridge star atlas and a 6x50 finderscope - what size circle do I need?

[ollypenrice]

Very good idea. Very good indeed. How about a hlaf transparent sheet, though?

Olly

[RikM]

I use on old milk bottle washer left over from my dob base mod. That is translucent and with a hole just about the right size.

[Guest]

simple is always the best Nice one

[skfboiler]

I am so glad that your brought this topic up. Many beginners like myself struggled with star hopping. Last year, the learning curve flattened out for me when I made my finders FOV circle with the template scale on the 1st page of the chart I use, "Pocket Sky Atlas". I made mine out cutting out the bottom of a clear plastic water bottle. Since I started using this finders FOV circle, I can star hopping to any object I attempt to find. The following is a link to an article from "Sky & Telescope" magazine about this very topic.

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/howto/visualobserving/3304221.html

[rowan46]

It's such a simple and clever idea it's a wonder someone hasn't produced them professionally for those of us who are too stupid (me) or lazy (me) to do the maths