hotspur
29-10-2022, 08:38 AM
Hello Fellow Astronomers!
Its been along time since I pointed a telescope skywards! My poor observatory has been used as a store room for many years and the Vixen GPD2 with skysensor and 103 refractor has not been used for a long time. Last night I finally rolled the roof back and switched it all on and everything seemed to work reasonably well. I had a few problems viewing NGC104 I think due to its position as was in middle of sky and skysenor seemed a bit confused and motors seemed to make an awful noise,I turned all off and re started, had the same happen again,so went off and viewed other objects.
As the GPD2 has been on a purpose built stand in observatory its been bumped a bit so alignment not perfect,I need to open up thee GPD2 and install a new battery for alignment reticule - any how to tips would be appreciated I have forgotten and lost instructions!
I did find the pointing accuracy not the best- especially around NGC104,the sky sensor may need a look at? I checked it still kept time and position-the time was out a bit so adjusted,I had great difficulty in getting a 2 point alignment,with 1 point being about it,I did mange to get a three point alignment late in evening,but the pointing accuracy was worse than ever!
So looking for suggestions on how to service or fine tune this equipment,I am lucky that it even worked at all,its all sat not doing anything getting a bit dusty.Is there a business or person that could service all this gear or any users of same gear here taht could give a few pointers - Thanks
Its been along time since I pointed a telescope skywards! My poor observatory has been used as a store room for many years and the Vixen GPD2 with skysensor and 103 refractor has not been used for a long time. Last night I finally rolled the roof back and switched it all on and everything seemed to work reasonably well. I had a few problems viewing NGC104 I think due to its position as was in middle of sky and skysenor seemed a bit confused and motors seemed to make an awful noise,I turned all off and re started, had the same happen again,so went off and viewed other objects.
As the GPD2 has been on a purpose built stand in observatory its been bumped a bit so alignment not perfect,I need to open up thee GPD2 and install a new battery for alignment reticule - any how to tips would be appreciated I have forgotten and lost instructions!
I did find the pointing accuracy not the best- especially around NGC104,the sky sensor may need a look at? I checked it still kept time and position-the time was out a bit so adjusted,I had great difficulty in getting a 2 point alignment,with 1 point being about it,I did mange to get a three point alignment late in evening,but the pointing accuracy was worse than ever!
So looking for suggestions on how to service or fine tune this equipment,I am lucky that it even worked at all,its all sat not doing anything getting a bit dusty.Is there a business or person that could service all this gear or any users of same gear here taht could give a few pointers - Thanks