A Simple independent Milky Way projector.

Posted by: Ray Worthy Nov 11 2008, 06:23 PM
A Simple independent Milky Way projector.

I have seen a very successful example of a Milky
Way projector and it was in keeping with the low expense theme of my
articles.
The basis was a plastic cylindrical film container.(
I do realise that most folks have moved on to digital cameras.)
This cylinder was used as a bulb holder. The wires
were fed through the cylinder and the bulb fixed at the correct height
on the outside of the closed end of the cylinder. The negative of what
had been drawn was wrapped around the outside of the cylinder and around
the bulb. The snap on cap was fixed to the open end of the negative roll
and made light tight.
You have to work backwards from the dimensions of the
container to get the size of the negative. The Milky Way I saw was a
simple shaded drawing, but the resolution would be limited because of
the short distance from the bulb to the negative. If you want more
resolution, you have to use a point source of light and a wider
cylinder, probably up to the ten inch diameter mark. You would require
only a squat cylinder held at the correct angle.

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RAYMOND wORTHY