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In 2016, Karratha High School made a bold investment in astronomy education, purchasing a state-of-the-art telescope setup with the goal of inspiring students to reach for the stars. While the initial installation was carried out by a local builder, certain challenges with the setup meant that the telescope never reached its full potential. Under new leadership in 2024, Karratha High School took the initiative to have the equipment professionally installed and fully operational. That’s where Bintel came in.
Upon reviewing the original installation, Bintel identified several key issues that hindered the telescope’s performance:
Incorrect Mount Orientation: The Myt mount was installed pointing north. As we are in the Southern Hemisphere, telescope mounts must point south to align with the South Celestial Pole. The absence of the North Star (Polaris) here makes this adjustment crucial for accurate operation.
Improper Pier Installation: The Pier Tech Pier had been installed upside down, and its plates were improperly secured, compromising the stability and alignment of the entire setup.
Bintel’s experienced team carried out a thorough restoration, ensuring the telescope was finally able to perform as intended. Here’s a breakdown of the work:
Disassembly and Servicing:
The entire telescope setup was carefully disassembled.
The Myt mount was serviced, including regreasing the worm blocks to ensure smooth operation.
The telescope’s primary and secondary mirrors were meticulously cleaned to enhance image clarity.
The telescope was collimated to perfect its optical alignment.
Correcting Installation Errors:
The Pier Tech Pier was reinstalled in the correct orientation, and the control box was properly secured.
The mount was leveled and oriented to point south, aligning it with the South Celestial Pole.
Precision Adjustments:
A polar alignment was conducted, enabling the telescope to track celestial objects with precision.
A T-Point model was created to optimize pointing accuracy and ensure seamless operation.
After Bintel’s meticulous work, the telescope at Karratha High School is now in full working order. The transformation has revitalized the school’s astronomy program, providing students with an incredible tool to explore the universe. Whether it’s observing the rings of Saturn, the craters of the Moon, or deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula, the telescope is now equipped to deliver breathtaking views and unforgettable experiences.
Karratha High School’s commitment to science and education, under its new principal, deserves recognition. By ensuring the telescope is in prime condition, the school has opened new doors for its students to learn, explore, and be inspired by the cosmos. Bintel is proud to have been a part of this journey, turning an ambitious vision into a reality.
As Karratha High’s students gaze at the stars through their newly operational telescope, they are reminded that even the grandest dreams are within reach when we look to the skies. Here’s to many nights of stargazing and discovery!
Due to the school misplacing a counterweight, we had to implement a temporary and unconventional solution to balance the mount. This setup will suffice until a replacement counterweight is purchased.