Bahtinov mask

[Kevdan]

Simply put - what is a bahtinov mask?

Kev

[keef_uk]

as I understand it its a tool that assits with focusing the scope - im still learning myself

[JohnDenim]

No Idea until I googled it?

The Bahtinov Mask

[Bizibilder]

And dead easy (and cheap) to make your own:

http://stargazerslounge.com/diy-astronomer/118816-simple-bahtinov-mask-construction.html

Focussing becomes easy and perfect every time!

[carastro]

Couldn't do without mine.

Carole

[xboxdevil]

Yep, it's a focus mask for getting a precise focus on whatever celestial object that you are looking at. They are a great help if you plan to do any imaging or are sick of forever trying to get focus.

I did try to make one using a template from here: astrojargon - Bahtinov Focusing Mask Generator: Overview but it was a but flimsy and binned it.

In the end I bought a very high quality one like this Bahtinov Focus Mask for 10" SCT on eBay (end time 21-Feb-11 18:24:53 GMT) from Keith at Morris engineering on ebay, service and quality were exceptional and he made it to my specs.

[Freddie]

Would be lost without mine. Made it myself in about an hour with some card and a sharp craft knife. Various sites give free downloads. Something to do when all these clouds are around !!!!

[keef_uk]

dumb question but when you have made one does it matter which way round it goes on the scope?

[Bizibilder]

Nope!

[Kevdan]

Ah, So it's for astrophotography then.

Looks like I wasnt the only one that didn't know.

Kev.

[m.tweedy]

Bahtinov Mask Templates

[OutThereSomewhere]

I bought one from from Keith at Morris Engineering on ebay. It's a very well made product and delivered very quickly. I didn't have the confidence to make my own at the time.