AST195 PROJECT

SOME EQUIPMENT -- APERTURE MASKS

In this project you will make an “aperture mask” that can serve a number of purposes. You will make your own masks from materials you provide. You will need your telescope tube to “size” the mask.

You need:

· Lightweight cardboard (like cereal boxes). The cardboard must be dark material that does not let light through it.

· Small scissors (for cutting small, round holes)

· A dime & a quarter

We will use the aperture mask for the purpose of causing our telescopes to perform like the telescopes of Galileo Galilei, and also for observing stars and planets.

Click here for a video on how to construct an aperture mask for your telescope.

The mask holes must be clean, neat circles.

To get credit for this project, bring in your two aperture masks for approval by the professor, and print out and bring in the form below. The prof will check to make sure the masks fit snugly, that the holes are the right size, and that the holes are clean. Make sure your name is on each mask, in pen.

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Aperture Masks

Name:________________________________________

Instructor’s initials:

____ Large Aperture Mask

____ Small Aperture Mask

____ Name on Masks (in pen)

Project completed (instructor’s signature):___________________________

Do not turn this in without first getting the instructor’s initials and signature.