Brainwave!

bloodhound31 · #1 16-09-2007, 07:53 PM

I had a cheap mount for an old Tasco refractor lying around. So I decided to use the 60mm OTA as a cricket stump and use the GE mount to piggyback the ED80 on top of the Celestron.

So now, I can point my Celestron (Guidescope) at a nice bright and easy to see guide star, while the ED80 on top can be pointing in an entirely different area at a DSO.

How's that for recycling scrap? Thats pretty much what the old Tasco was anyway...

Baz.

Terry B · #2 16-09-2007, 08:28 PM

Cute idea but if you were using the main scope for imaging or just observing, wouldn't fiddling with the second mount cause lots of wobble in the main scope?

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #3 16-09-2007, 08:50 PM

Baz, fantastic idea mate!!!!!!

Ya gotta love junk recyclers for Astronomy

bloodhound31 · #4 16-09-2007, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry B

Cute idea but if you were using the main scope for imaging or just observing, wouldn't fiddling with the second mount cause lots of wobble in the main scope?

I use the main scope as a guider. once I have everything pointing at what I want it to. there is no wobble problem. I already tried it last night and it works a treat! I imaged the Tarantula neb with the ED80, while the 11 inch was pointing at a nice bright star off-target to guide with.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #5 16-09-2007, 09:12 PM

It would work well the other way too, Baz. Image thru the main scope and guide with the top scope, as some people often find it hard to get a guidestar in the FOV. This way they can move the little EQ1 a little bit till they get one, and EQ1's are cheap.

monoxide · #6 16-09-2007, 11:05 PM

nice!
its funny, i was only wondering if something like this would be possible lastnight.
looks a bit more practical than guide rings for finding a star too.

how is it attatched to the dovetail though?

bloodhound31 · #7 17-09-2007, 10:13 AM

I just used the bolt that normally holds the mount onto the tripod. I drilled a hole through the aluminium threshold plate and bolted it through that.

I am thinking of turning it around and mounting it closer to the fork arm axis to improve balance. At the moment, with all the weight up front, I have slid my counterweight bar fully rearward now.

Baz.

Terry B · #8 18-09-2007, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bloodhound31

I use the main scope as a guider. once I have everything pointing at what I want it to. there is no wobble problem. I already tried it last night and it works a treat! I imaged the Tarantula neb with the ED80, while the 11 inch was pointing at a nice bright star off-target to guide with.

Now I get it.

I thought you were using the scope on the second mount to look through and browse the sky when you were potentially imaging through the main scope.
Good system to find guide stars.