OltionTrackball

Jerry Oltion describes his unique homebuilt telescope that uses a spherical mount. The "TrackBall" telescope makes viewing the stars comfortable and convenient.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• TrackBall
• telescope
• spherical
• mount
• homebuilt
• homemade
• view
• stars
• amateur
• astronomy

[raymoneglass]

The scope is fairly forgiving of minor weight differences, but I do have to adjust the balance for significantly heavier eyepieces. I've intentionally put more weight in the bottom of the scope than I need, which I counter-counterbalance with extra weights on top clamped to a truss next to the focuser. When I use a heavier eyepiece, I remove one or two of the clamp weights.

[tabhorian]

I curious about the angle that the pads and the drive roller engage the sphere. The higher up you put them, the more stable it is, but it is also more pressure on the pads. And lower, it would be less pressure. What angle for each are you using from vertical, and why did you choose that?

Thanks,

Bill Wheaton, Decatur GA.

[volvotango]

Beautiful!  How does tracking work with a heavier eyepiece, is there any slipping?

[caseyj7896]

Good Job. I'm proud of your new thinking. Where did you get the inspiration to try something like this?