Geological Solar Compass

thingiverse

This is a solar compass designed to be used in areas of magnetic field disturbance where a traditional compass doesn't work. It is designed to collect geological data forcing planar measurement in American Right Hand Rule, or dip/dip direction. You can collect lineations with the dip plate in either rake (degrees off of strike line) or trend and plunge. Designed to be field portable and easy to assemble in the field with no tools. I strongly recommend printing with PETG as it is both UV resistant and less likely to warp inside of a vehicle than PLA or ABS. I designed all of these parts to be printed without support on my Lulzbot Taz 6 printer. The "Dip" rail needs to be printed upright in order for the dovetail joint to print correctly. I use this app to derive solar azimuth- the shadow will then be 180 degrees off of solar azimuth. https://apps.apple.com/app/id971828374 You can also carry a book such as this one https://www.abebooks.com/Azimuths-Sun-Celestial-Bodies-Declination-Degrees/22532750906/bd or this one "Azimuths of the Sun and Other Celestial Bodies of Declination 0 to 23 degrees for Latitudes Extending to 70 degrees from the Equator" You will also need a 1/2" long 1/8" diameter brass rod which you can usually find at home depot or welding supply stores as well as threaded m2 stainless steel balls ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/184961266324?var=692746884880&_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D777008%26algo%3DPERSONAL.TOPIC%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20220705100511%26meid%3Dcb2a2cf5985a40e19f48696fce99c0b7%26pid%3D101524%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26itm%3D692746884880%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057%26algv%3DRecentlyViewedItemsV2%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2380057.c101524.m146925&_trkparms=pageci%3Af3f5c946-b010-11ed-a14a-6672bb265ec5%7Cparentrq%3A680277c91860aaee9702aaeafffea4e2%7Ciid%3A1 The M2 threaded rod is https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08952HPYL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 cut in half to get the correct length. I drilled the top pin base to fit the m2 rod, and drilled the bottom of the pin base to 1/8" as my printer didn't hit the dimensions exactly. I also drilled the compass, indicator plate and hinge plates through with a 1/8" drill bit which i moved around a bit to get it slightly oversize so it doesn't bind the 1/8 brass pin allowing the whole thing to rotate. You also have to drill and tap the hole in the dip angle piece to accept a standard tripod. (1/4"-20) I bought bubble levels from https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098XMQ433?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details and a Gorilla pod https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074WGRBGC?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details