[time-nuts] Sidereal timekeeping

[iovane at inwind.it]

jimlux at earthlink.net wrote:
>On 5/15/11 2:22 PM, iovane at inwind.it wrote:
>> Hi all,
>> does anybody out there have any ideas as where to find a 32859Hz crystal 
(1/2
>> that value would be better) to be used to replace 32768 crystals in 
ordinary
>> clocks? I think that 32768 crystals cannot be dragged that much. I've 
already
>> read the JimLux article somewhere on the web, but I would be pleased 
finding a
>> simpler solution. Also, I already have computer programs that show sidereal
>> time.
>> Thanks,
>> Antonio I8IOV
>>
>
>Heh.. I cheated and used a 3325B to make whatever frequency we wanted. 
>(even better, you can use GPIB to change the frequency vs time to make a 
>"clock" that displays unusual things like "height above horizon" or 
>"azimuth to orbiter")  Whether this would be more useful than just 
>driving a dial with a stepper motor is sort of a good question.

If a 32859 crystal was easily available, that would be a fantastic solution.

>I think you're right that you can't drag a 32768 crystal down by one 
>part in 365.  Maybe you could do it by opening the can and putting some 
>mass on the crystal resonator?

Some mass should be removed, not added. I was considering this possibility. 
They exist some so called "tuning fork" crystals that might allow for this. 
And 
they are very cheap. One could buy a batch of them for a few $ and have a 
try. 
What do you think?

Antonio I8IOV