fake star test

Hello all, I was wondering if it was possible to use a Christmas tree light as a star for a star test or does it actually need to be very,very, bright? I've never tried it before but I think if it was bright enough it would work. Don't laugh as I'm still trying to learn a little bit here. Sincerely, Darrell

Darrell Hensley said:

Hello all, I was wondering if it was possible to use a Christmas tree light as a star for a star test or does it actually need to be very,very, bright? I've never tried it before but I think if it was bright enough it would work. Don't laugh as I'm still trying to learn a little bit here. Sincerely, Darrell

Hi Darrell:

The problem with a Christmas tree light alone is that it is too big. It would have to be very very far away to be seen as a point source for your star test.

A Christmas tree light behind a very precise and tiny pin-hole might work. Check out this and similar threads:

http://www.astromart.com/forums/viewpost.asp?forum_post_id=218922&poll_id=&news_id=&page=2

Good luck, Jim

Darrell
Like Jim said a bulb of any sort is too big. You can stop it down as Jim said OR use a small Christmas ball ornament or better yet a ball bearing and shine a small light at it then look at the reflection. Insulators on power poles work too.
Just my $.02
Buck