Another NGC 253

[blueskies123_89 (George)]

Hi all,

Took this over the last two nights. 3hr 5min worth of 5min subs at 400ISO on a 400D. SN8, EQ6, autoguided by DSI II pro on an ED80.

Also, does anyone have problems with the altitude adjustments on an EQ6? They are tight, even if there is no weight on the mount. Is there something that should be loosened?

Thanks
George

[batema (Mark)]

Hi Geirge,

Great shot of 253. I ask someone at the Queensland astrofest as I have the same problem. Its like I'm grinding metal on metal. He told me he had the same situation and just used a little vaseline and that made them a lot easier to turn. I have not tried this myself yet but intend to give it a go.

Mark

[Tandum (Robin)]

Originally Posted by blueskies123_89

Is there something that should be loosened?

You loosen the front one then tighten the rear one. Star Stuff sell replacement adjustment bolts. What's an SN8?

[MrB (Simon)]

Nicely done George.

Originally Posted by Tandum

What's an SN8?

Meade SN8, 8" Schmidt-Newtonian

[Tandum (Robin)]

cheers simon.

[blueskies123_89 (George)]

Thanks guys.

Originally Posted by batema

Hi Geirge,

Great shot of 253. I ask someone at the Queensland astrofest as I have the same problem. Its like I'm grinding metal on metal. He told me he had the same situation and just used a little vaseline and that made them a lot easier to turn. I have not tried this myself yet but intend to give it a go.

Mark

Ok, I'll try that... Probably should take the bolts out and see if they are bent or something.

Originally Posted by Tandum

You loosen the front one then tighten the rear one. Star Stuff sell replacement adjustment bolts. What's an SN8?

Yeah I did that. Its the bottom bolt that is tight, regardless if Im trying to push the angle up or down. And yes, its the Schmidt Newtonian that Meade sells.

[Tandum (Robin)]

George, I normally lossen the southern (front) screw then adjust the rear screw to get alignment as the weight of the head rests on the rear screw, then tighten the front screw to set it. It doesn't need a lot of adjusting up here but I guess if you move it from Melbourne to astofest it would be a big change

[blueskies123_89 (George)]

Originally Posted by Tandum

George, I normally lossen the southern (front) screw then adjust the rear screw to get alignment as the weight of the head rests on the rear screw, then tighten the front screw to set it. It doesn't need a lot of adjusting up here but I guess if you move it from Melbourne to astofest it would be a big change

Yes, the problem really was that once the front screw is loosened, the bottom one still takes a lot of effort to twist, up or down. Its not a main problem since with a bit of effort, i can still get polar aligned nicely. It just seems to be much too stiff to be designed that way.

Cheers

[Paul Haese]

I like the wide field view. Very sharp and the colour is pleasing too.