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Since the daybreak of the age of astrophotography, there was the issue of imaging concurrently monitoring the digital camera’s goal. An answer was seized upon that used a telescope accent that was already in existence, the star diagonal. A right-angled tube containing a 45-degree airplane mirror, it redirects the telescope’s rising beam to an observer-friendly angle. It has saved legions of astronomers the ache of a cricked neck.
Coming to the rescue of astro-imagers, its single 90-degree exit port was left in place, however the mirror was given a pivot in order that it may swing out of the optical axis, permitting gentle to proceed to a brand new rear port that may obtain the now undeflected gentle. The ensuing gadget, known as a flip-mirror diagonal, has rightly turn into a regular astronomical accent. With Baader’s introduction of their FlipMirror II, this evolution has taken a captivating step additional.
Out of the field
The very first thing that strikes you is how properly engineered and concise the FlipMirror II is. Its minimal dimensions are designed to supply the least consumption of again focus – an vital consideration, taking into consideration how a lot gear it might finally have hanging off it. It comes with a sprinkling of pre-installed adaptors, prepared to assist mediate between the telescope and various visible and imaging gear ‘downwind’. Aware of adaptor ring fittings, Baader have saved that scramble for slotted and grub-screw utensils by supplying their very own FlipMirror toolkit. This consists of a minimum of 4 Allen keys, a flathead screwdriver and an M48/T2 pin wrench.
Recent out of its field, the very first thing to evaluate the motion of the flip-mirror deployment. The mechanical efficiency of that is very important. Thoughtfully, the knob is closely castellated to permit non-slip operation by both naked or gloved fingers. The flip-mirror knob is spring-loaded, imparting a satisfyingly optimistic motion between its two configurations. The motion of this powered leverage meets its cease with a agency contact, and with out an unsavoury harsh metallic clink too.
Making ready to be used
For my evaluate, I employed the providers of my 355mm (14-inch) LX200, a telescope already properly damaged in with focus accessorising.
My first process was to evaluate the flip mirror’s reflectance and alignment, so I organized adaptors to carry matched eyepieces at every of the standard flip-mirror apertures – the right-angle and rear ports. I had a pair of similar (binoviewer) eyepieces on the prepared, to verify the equivalence of mirrored and direct photographs. Excessive within the southern sky, a primary quarter Moon provided itself as a prepared take a look at object.
I discovered that the lunar floor, mirrored from the right-angled mirror, appeared equally shiny to that by the rear port, which confirmed the standard of the multicoated aluminium reflecting floor.
To confirm that the 2 ports and the mirror had been completely orthogonal, I turned my telescope’s gaze in the direction of the sting of Mare Crisium and thoroughly centred the crater Proclus in a single eyepiece subject. Upon flipping the mirror I used to be gratified to see that I had precisely the identical view within the different eyepiece – glorious proof of the effective engineering contained in the diagonal. I ought to add that even when the views had been misaligned, it’s attainable, through entry screws positioned on the floor of the flip-mirror’s cage, for all the sunshine paths to be tweaked with precision after which locked into place utilizing the apex software of the provided pin wrench.
Observing a star at increased magnification, I may see no proof of flexure, nor may I induce any. The gadget’s declare that it might deal with heavy hundreds is undoubtedly properly based.
I then moved on to configuring it conventionally with a CCD digital camera and reticuled eyepiece. The pre-installed Baader adaptor rings had been an awesome facility for reaching this, however as I handled mating these to my very own gear, not for the primary time (and thru no fault of Baader’s) I yearned for better uniformity in attaching equipment to at least one one other, for on the daybreak of the age of astrophotography, the collision of photographic, microscopical and astronomical gear spawned a mismatch of interacting requirements that we nonetheless endure. Some accent producers even inexplicably create their very own bespoke connector threads. Happily, Baader present a plethora of interfacing rings to help. As described in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, I do lengthy, within the darkness, for “one ring to rule all of them”. Maybe someday a multithreaded variable-diameter adaptor could seem.
Using my Baader Polaris I guiding eyepiece on the main mirrored port, I used to be simply capable of govern the view of my CCD digital camera on the linear (rear) port, and took some lunar photographs for the sake of file. I additionally famous, as beforehand confirmed, that the centre of the sector of view was the identical for every axis.
Triple mounting
Baader’s FlipMirror II has one other string to its bow, specifically a tertiary (auxiliary) port within the base. Amongst different issues, it presents the simultaneous mounting of an off-axis guider, snicking off a chunk of the incoming beam whatever the orientation of the flip mirror. This aperture can obtain both Baader’s personal off-axis guider or the older model of Celestron’s Radial Guider (#94176). To not miss an creative alternative, this third port has a further trick up its sleeve. On the again of the flip mirror, a further zone of reflection permits the consumer to place a calibration lamp throughout spectroscopic imaging.
I have already got Celestron’s Radial Guider, so I used it throughout the evaluate. Becoming the off-axis guider nosepiece requires the cooperation of very tiny grub screws within the base-port meeting. Some may discover this fiddly, and even throughout my very own reassembly one of many grub screws made a failed bid for freedom. Nonetheless, due to the provided equipment I did at the very least have the required instruments for the job – and to be honest, a consumer would most likely do that delicate set up solely as soon as.
Fielding three axes of further gear, the Baader FlipMirror II offers with the load with no qualms in any way. All adaptor rings are held tight with no mechanical motion in any respect. Rigidity of the cage beneath stress is astonishing – every port is clearly capable of grip heavy DSLRs, binoviewers and different supplementary gear with alacrity. It hardly wants saying that if the equipment require rotational reorientation, then the FlipMirror II can do that too.
Baader have even gone to the difficulty of compacting in two screws on one flank of the housing to supply the chance to repair further gear, and even cable ties. That’s pretty much as good a sign of Baader’s religion within the power of the FlipMirror II’s cage as you may get. Talking of further amenities, Baader have thoughtfully outfitted the neck of the flip-mirror knob with cog enamel to allow using an elective motorised belt for distant operation.
As with every accent deployed on the focus, consideration must be paid to steadiness – notably with a tool comparable to this that may structurally subject any variety of further home equipment. That is extra problematic with telescopes mounted inside a yoke, comparable to fork-mounted Schmidt–Cassegrain telescopes, the place the centre of gravity can’t be modified by transferring it alongside the optical axis. The excellent news right here is that, regardless of its inherent power, the Baader FlipMirror II offers you an excellent begin by weighing (with out adaptor rings) solely 195 grams.
Conclusions
This can be a very versatile beast, able to adapting itself to varied particular person wants. Aside from having to quickly cannibalise a few of my present gear for extra adaptors and collars for the aim of this evaluate, the FlipMirror II was a pleasure to play with. Along with functioning as a high-quality standard star diagonal and flip mirror, the extra port in its base supplies it with supplementary performance in guiding and spectroscopy. Certainly, I believe it’s entitled to name itself an optical hub.
The body’s providing of a number of configurations is backed to the hilt by Baader’s personal in depth vary of adaptor rings and collars (together with, after all, Baader’s Common Filter Changer). Which means that as your wants and necessities change, the Baader FlipMirror II will steadfastly assist you come what could.
At a look
Accessible ports: 3
Weight (with out adaptors): 195g Collimatable mirror, created from multi-layer aluminium with dielectric protecting overcoat, with 94 per cent reflectance.
Included equipment: Laterally adjustable T-2a prime ring, Two M48i/S52 dovetail rings, Two decreasing rings, M48a/T-2i and M48a/T-2a Inverter ring M48a/M48a, Device equipment, with 3mm screwdriver, 4 hex Allen keys, pin wrench
Steve Ringwood is a daily contributor to Astronomy Now.
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