GB1562189A

GB1562189A - Star finder

Info

Publication number: GB1562189A
Application number: GB3603375A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1976-08-27
Filing date: 1976-08-27
Publication date: 1980-03-05

Description

(54) STAR FINDER (71) We, GERALD REYNOLDS SHARP, a British Subject and CHRIS TOPHER MARTIN SHARP, a British Subject, both of 117 East Lane, West Horsley, Leatherhead, KT24 6LJ, Surrey, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to astro-charts.

According to the present invention there is provided an astro-chart comprising an umbrella frame, an optically transmissive screen comprising gores mounted on the struts of the umbrella frame, the gores having markings disposed thereon indicating the relative positions of certain heavenly bodies, the location of the markings being such that when the screen is viewed from the concave side thereof the markings are generally alignable with the true positions of the respective visible heavenly bodies, to assist in identifying those bodies.

The screen may be formed from a flexible material.

The astro-chart may further comprise a stand for mounting the frame at a range of angles of inclination.

The markings may be formed of fluorescent material. In this case a source of light may be mounted on the frame or the stand and directed at the concave side of the screen. The source may be an ultra-violet source.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an astro-chart; and Figure 2 is a view from below of a gore of the astro-chart of Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows an astro-chart generally indicated at 10, which comprises an umbrella 11 mounted on a stand 12 and having an optically transmissive screen 13 consisting of gores 14 on which are printed markings, some of which are indicated at 15.

The markings 15 indicate the relative position of certain heavenly bodies. The heavenly bodies represented depend on the hemisphere in which and the latitude at which the astro-chart is to be used, although any specific set of markings can be used over a range of latitudes.

As will be seen from Figure 2, in addition to the markings 15, further markings can be added. For example, marking 16 indicates the name of a constellation, marking 17 indicates the identity of one of the stars of this constellation, marking 18 represents one of the hours of Right Ascension, marking 19 represents a meridian of Right Ascension, marking 20 represents the one of the degrees of Declination and marking 21 represents a parallel of Declination.

Preferably the gores 14 are made of transpartent plastics material and the markings 15 and 21 are printed onto the gores 14 with an ink containing a fluorescent pigment.

In use under the night sky the umbrella 11 in Britain the shaft 22 is aimed at the Pole Star.

A light source may be directed at the markings 15 to 21 from the observer's side of the umbrella. Conveniently such a source (not shown) can be mounted on the umbrella shaft. Alternatively, it may be mounted on the stand 12.

A familiar constellation, e.g., in Britain Ursa Major is located visually in the sky and the markings 15 representing the major stars of this constellation are aligned with the actual stars to which they refer by observation through the screen 14 from its centre of curvature. In this position the other markings 15 are generally in alignment with the true positions of their respective visible heavenly bodies when viewed through the screen 14. The actual heavenly bodies can then be identified by reference to some or all of respective markings 15 to 21.

The umbrella may be used otherwise than in direct alignment with the sky to enable the relative positions of the heavenly bodies marked upon the screen to appear in a realistic configuration.

Preferably a handbook should be provided for use with the umbrella 11 having a page for each gore 14 with a two-dimensional representation of the gore and further information concerning the heavenly bodies shown therein. In addition each page could carry markers indicating the positions of stars and constellations not shown on the umbrella including those beyond the range of the umbrella.

At least some of the gores 14 may be releasably mounted on the umbrella frame.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An astro-chart comprising an umbrella frame, an optically transmissive screen comprising gores mounted on the struts of the umbrella frame, the gores having markings disposed thereon indicating the relative positions of certain heavenly bodies, the location of the markings being such that when the screen is viewed from the concave side thereof the markings are generally alignable with the true positions of the respective visible heavenly bodies, to assist in identifying those bodies.

2. An astro-chart as claimed in claim 1 wherein the screen is formed from flexible material.

3. An astro-chart as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the markings are formed of fluorescent material.

4. An astro-chart as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a stand for mounting the frame at a range of angles of inclination.

5. An astro-chart as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a source of lightmounted on the stand and directed at the concave side of the screen.

6. An astro-chart as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 comprises a source of light mounted on the frame and directed at the concave side of the screen.

7. An astro-chart as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the source of light is an ultra-violet source.

10. An astro-chart as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

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Claims

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provided for use with the umbrella 11 having a page for each gore 14 with a two-dimensional representation of the gore and further information concerning the heavenly bodies shown therein. In addition each page could carry markers indicating the positions of stars and constellations not shown on the umbrella including those beyond the range of the umbrella.

At least some of the gores 14 may be releasably mounted on the umbrella frame.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. An astro-chart comprising an umbrella frame, an optically transmissive screen comprising gores mounted on the struts of the umbrella frame, the gores having markings disposed thereon indicating the relative positions of certain heavenly bodies, the location of the markings being such that when the screen is viewed from the concave side thereof the markings are generally alignable with the true positions of the respective visible heavenly bodies, to assist in identifying those bodies.

2. An astro-chart as claimed in claim 1 wherein the screen is formed from flexible material.

3. An astro-chart as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the markings are formed of fluorescent material.

4. An astro-chart as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a stand for mounting the frame at a range of angles of inclination.

5. An astro-chart as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a source of lightmounted on the stand and directed at the concave side of the screen.

6. An astro-chart as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 comprises a source of light mounted on the frame and directed at the concave side of the screen.

7. An astro-chart as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the source of light is an ultra-violet source.

10. An astro-chart as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.