But I’m Not Dead Yet! – the Surprisingly Short History of the Barn Door Tracker
Presenter(s): Neville Fraser
Affiliation(s): WSAAG
Session details: Sunday, 2026-04-04 23:00:00, ONL
Abstract
Intended as a means of allowing long(er) duration astrophotography, the barn door tracker is cheap and easily made. It belongs firmly in the "I could have thought of that!" category of inventions. There are several variations on the original design, and they have evolved much over time. This presentation explores the history and development of the tracker, comparing them to more modern methods of achieving the same goal- glorious images of the night sky. It raises the question of whether devices like the barn door tracker are in fact a dying area of amateur astronomy. Several examples will be made available for examination.
Biography
A retired Primary School Principal Neville Fraser has a long involvement with amateur astronomy. He previously presented papers in 2010 on School Based Planetaria, having at the time the largest planetarium in Sydney, and in 2024 on Rethinking the Amateur Dome Observatory. Now retired with his third dome observatory, Neville assists with science mentoring in the ACT MSATT program based at Mt Stromlo.