Cloud Assault

[beren]

I guess this is a usual experiance for most of us but for a third time in a row my attempt to try my hand at getting some prime focus images failed again last night due to horizon/horizon blanket cloud cover. As the evening started things looked sweet although a cloud belt could be seen to the extreme south , with no wind apparent thought chances of incrouchment of this front would be nil or later into the evening .
Giving up the chance to see West Coast belittle the hapless Dockers {hooray the dragons finally won} started prepartions....main objectives

1. set up SCT with wedge on mobile dolly system.
2. get good polar alignment , mark driveway for future reference
3. try new A.D.D.S {anti dew defence system}
4. go for a ambitious shot of M104 using D70 at prime

First objective achieved , the JMI dolly system to move a scope around from storage to location worked very well , what a relief not to go through the saga of scope setup/teardown plus the option of hasty retreat if conditions turned bad. Second objective achieved after a bit of fiddling getting wedge adjustments sorted , noted for the first time with the compass with good alignment the true north marker was set at 4 degrees east instead of west using the markings .After completing that task noted the massing clouds to the south where advancing northwards , still no low level wind present , muttering curses set about hooking the camera up to the scope using the necessary hardware including a 6.3 focal reducer . In reality i wasnt expecting nothing flash, no guidescope yet nor PEC training done just a unguided lucky dip shot using the D70 inbuilt noise reduction. Using nearby jupiter to get the focusing right all set to go but the cloud had beaten me , decided to wait another hour but it was there to stay.The A.D.D.S comprising of a dew controller and 4 heater belts covering main objective , finderscope, eyepieces and diagonal put a end to my arch nemisis"s sneaky attacks . With that i simply rolled the scope back into the shed {RELIEF} , at least 3 out 4 wasnt bad ......this morning wouldnt you belive it , not a cloud in the sky

[acropolite (Phil)]

Beren,
Sounds interesting, can you post a pic of the setup and were you using the meade wedge? I will be interested to hear how you find the Dew heater setup as well.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

<b>Yes, the Dragons finally won!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</b>

Doesn't it make life easier when you can set your scope up easy. Clever idea of marking the driveway. We are back in cloud again too. (actually raining but we need it).

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Stuart where did you get the ADDS from. I like the look of that

[ving (David)]

thats a great set up there stuart!
if dew was a problem here i'd do the same

[iceman (Mike)]

That's an awesome looking setup Stuart, must be very handy bringing it in and out and not having to construct it each time.

[Seven]

Great set-up there Stuart !!!! That monster makes my LX90 look like a child's toy - I really need to set up my dew zapper - the other night everything was wet within 30 minutes. Can't wait for those winter skies - clear as a bell - your set up would go great guns here Mate !!!
I have set up envy.....LOL
Cheers,
JO

[acropolite (Phil)]

Thanks for the pix beren, just what I need. Is this the place you got them from??

http://www.optcorp.com/