Does anyone know what this is/does?

[iancandler]

Whilst we where rummaging through my brothers box of bits we came across this..(see pics below)

it looks like a 1.25 diagonal and is constructed of metal with a rear section that flips down.

Inside is what looks like plain glass. We cant fathom out what its used for so...Any ideas??<br>

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[Kaptain Klevtsov]

It could be a device for solar observing as the biggest percentage of light would go out the back. I don't think I'd trust it for that without further research though.

Captain Chaos

[GordonCopestake]

Certainly looks like a prism. Could be an erect image thingy or a flip mirror equivalent? Certainly an odd one.

[GazOC]

I know.....

[GordonCopestake]

Enigmatic...

[iancandler]

Aww come on Gaz.. what does it do then?? We had been thinking along solar lines but unwilling to try it out on account of the fact I like my eyes as they are

[GazOC]

Don't look at the Sun through it, its nothing to do with solar observing. :nono:

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

OK I'm guessing that its for RGB imaging. What you do is put red, green and then blue blotting paper in the flip down bit to soak up the wrong photons.

Captain Chaos

[Ambermile]

You sure that's 1.25 in on end and out the other? Both look the same to me... If so then it's more likely a microscopey thing.

Arthur

[iancandler]

It fits 1.25 focuser on one end and accepts 1.25 eyepieces the other..I'm still baffled and Gaz is still teasing..

[geppetto]

Might it be to leak light with the flap open to reduce glare on bright objects :?

Its not a Georgian snuff box thats for sure

[anthony]

Come on with that answer. The suspense............................

Is it for dispensing a small quantity of peanuts by way of a snack whilst observing?

Anthony

[GordonCopestake]

I like this game, we should start a whole new forum called "Guess the mystery equipment!" where one member photos a piece of astro equipment and other people have to guess what it is

[geppetto]

Guess the mystery equipment

I might have an unfair advantage because my MDF bodged up astro stuff

looks nothing like "proper" equipment :oops:

[daz]

Come on Gaz!!!!!!

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

Come on Gaz!!!!!!

Yeah! What is it?

Captain Chaos

[FLO]

It had better be good :?

[Astroman]

Looks like a Herschel Wedge to me. As mentioned, most of the concentrated light goes right through. The prism reflects 4% of the light falling on it, since there is no coating. I wouldn't trust it.

[The Warthog]

Remembering back to my grade 10 physics, a prism diagonal takes advantage of a phenom known as "Total internal reflection" which causes light coming in one of the flat faces of a 90 degree prism to be totally reflected off the 45 degree face and out the other flat side of the prism. All of it, other than what is absorbed by the glass. You don't need a silver coating on the back of the prism. I can't imagine why it has that drop down panel on the back. Try pointing it at a star and looking through the back.

[Astroman]

Ah, right you are, WH. Duh. Must be sleep deprivation.

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

GAZ WHAT IS IT??????

Captain Chaos

[daz]

GAZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kain]

Perhaps its a watsit so a group of people can see the projected image on a screen of some sort rather than one person hogging the EP..

...I'll get my coat..

Kain

[geppetto]

Somebody better get round to Gaz's place and

give him an indian burn till he tells

[lunator]

Just a guess, but is it a flip mirror for imaging?