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The yoke rotates in the plane called declination, the center of which is the celestial equator. This imaginary line, traced from due east to due west and concentric with earth's equator, is where you will find the sun, moon and planets most often. The bearings are 2" PVC fittings, which is nothing revolutionary. I bought a 'grab bag' of interesting pieces, and began to experiment. They work pretty well, but they are going to be replaced by sealed bearings in my final version, as will the Lazy Susan. This yoke and mount are the models for a more accurate system using a sector drive and worm gear arrangement. Part of a project like this that I find particularly appealing is what woodwright and keeper of traditional wookworking craftsmanship Roy Underhill calls the 'finding'. It helps me to visualize what I am trying to achieve, gives the project a reality of its own, and provides me with a mental challenge that I can enjoy without too much pressure to perform. |