Extended Period 555 On-Pulse Timer

Long and longer timeout periods are frequent goals for the ubiquitous 555 timer. Generally, this is accomplished (albeit unreliably) by unusually large electrolytic timing capacitors. However, here the long period is accomplished by a more predictable ceramic or film capacitor and substantially reduced charging current. The reduced current is generated via a transistor regulated current source, and this current is also easily adjusted. I believe that this low current source trick is new to the world.