Non-tracking (!) Jupiter from Saturday night

[iceman (Mike)]

Well you may have read of my broken platform.. I am still crying about it.

Seeing was better than it has been for ages on Saturday night, and I couldn't even take advantage of it. Not as good as my eyepiece view remembered, but it was still good.

To show something from the night, I stuck in the 3x barlow and used the tried and tested non-tracking dob imaging method Gawd it was horrible, I hope to never have to resort to this again.

I was so frustrated I only did a quick hand focus as it whizzed through in 6.5 seconds. Recorded 3 avi's and gave up.

Here's the result.

This is my last image until my platform is fixed!

[ving (David)]

thats almost as good as your tracked jupiters mike... definitely nothing to be sneezed at!

[h0ughy (David)]

so how are you fixing the drive?

[iceman (Mike)]

Don't know yet, gotta get home and do this:

The pictures really help.
I can see you will need a new drive wheel.

Take the metal cover off the motor. Turn on the power. Is the center hub rotating – pulsing - or not moving at all. Is the red LED light on the control box blinking?

The drive wheel is what is driven by the stepper. It has an orange outer cover that is breaking off.. that's what he's saying needs replacing. But it's not what is stopping it tracking.

I'm hoping it's just a faulty stepper motor that can (hopefully) easily be fixed by a trip to D.ick Smith and a phillips head screwdriver.

[davidpretorius]

on one hand, i must say this is excellent imaging without tracking, but on the other, i know how sad and angry i would be to have to unscrew the 5x powermate and put in a 3x.

like i said, please let us help if we can!

[h0ughy (David)]

Mike its time to push aside the mount platform and get a eq6, just say to the wife, i really need this, just get it without the synscan to make it cheaper (you can add it later if needed) I mean you know where jupiter is don't you? Don't need go to for that do we! I think thats a fair trade off, a $100 stepper motor for a $1600 mount. i can see the value in that. you could image all night without moving or nudging the scope, even attatch the 350D!

I have a mount you can rent for a short period of time until I get the observatory up and going!!!!!!

[iceman (Mike)]

I'd love to get an EQ6 houghy.. it's just not in the budget.

Would love to borrow yours if you're not using it, though I guess I'd need some rings?

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by iceman

I'd love to get an EQ6 houghy.. it's just not in the budget.

Would love to borrow yours if you're not using it, though I guess I'd need some rings?

a few occo straps and duck tape

[h0ughy (David)]

call me mike!!!!!!!!! work no!

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Ahhh memories 'eh Mike

Still all that cursing and swearing and sweating has obviously built up your skill level. You've definately still got it mate. Nice image.

[Robert_T]

how you can take pictures of that quality without tracking is a source of amazement for me... doubt I could ever do it. It's hard enough to keep Jupiter on that minscule little chip with a full equatorial drive system. Incredible

[asimov (John)]

Gawd! You did well for no tracking! awesome stuff!