GS 12" Finally Hits the Big Time! - Page 2

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #21 11-06-2006, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ving

best of both worlds!

have you thought about chopping about a foot off the pier so its not so high ken, or would the weights crash into the legs then>?

As Darren (wombat-in-space) and I found out tonight whilst giving it the run through, the bottom of the scope almost hits the legs!!! We were looking at a very high Moon. So if I cut the pier shorter the OTA will hit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheeny

Should get much bigger image scale from way up there!

Yes Al, the image scale is much better being approximately 3 feet closer to the object

Tonight was the set-ups first run at imaging and would you believe it. . . as soon as Darren and I had everything set up, lined up, imaging program running and doing the final 'fine focus' the Heavens opened up and down came the rain

The good points discovered before the rain are:
1. No stepper vibration or resonance thru the OTA
2. Mount and drive easily handle the weight (12" + ED80 + Rings + counterweights)
3. OTA glides around easily on both axis
4. 2.4m aluminium ladder worked well

Here is a pic of it in action tonight. The scope is waaayyyy down low to grab the high Moon. You can even see where the OTA is almost touching the leg!

[1ponders] (Paul) · #22 11-06-2006, 08:08 AM

Righto Ken, this is really tempting me. How heavy is the GSO tube?

davidpretorius · #23 11-06-2006, 08:48 AM

well done again, Ken,

Re the vibrations, whats the biggest magnification you can get to at the moment, ie with a few stacked barlows.

I am imaging at 1600x with the 5x powermate acting at 7.7x with an extension and the usual 6mm fl of the toucam.

If your baby can handle Jupiter filling the screen and no vibration is evident, then you will have an excellent imaging system. I have a feeling Ken is about to touch us planetary guys up in the next few weeks!!!.

Unfortunately we cant stop him as bad weather accompanies purchases, not hard physical work!

Astroman (Andrew Wall) · #24 11-06-2006, 11:45 AM

And now he has bought the accufocus of leon there will be no let up in the weather for the next 3 weeks.

avandonk · #25 11-06-2006, 04:48 PM

I reckon there is about 150lbs (66Kg)of weight all up on that mount. Ken would be fitter by just getting it all up there. A great effort literally. It makes me feel humble to see the result of all Ken's foresight and hard work.
A great result for a great effort.

Bert

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #26 11-06-2006, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidpretorius

well done again, Ken,

Re the vibrations, whats the biggest magnification you can get to at the moment, ie with a few stacked barlows.

I am imaging at 1600x with the 5x powermate acting at 7.7x with an extension and the usual 6mm fl of the toucam.

If your baby can handle Jupiter filling the screen and no vibration is evident, then you will have an excellent imaging system. I have a feeling Ken is about to touch us planetary guys up in the next few weeks!!!.

Unfortunately we cant stop him as bad weather accompanies purchases, not hard physical work!

Davo,

1. 'Magnifications': Dunno yet. As soon as we were set up, the rain came down!

2. "I have a feeling Ken is about to touch us planetary guys up in the next few weeks!!!." Wrong! I think there are enough 'Jupiters' on this site for the next 20 years

I'm a hunting wabbits! Deep sky wabbits. That's my thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avandonk

I reckon there is about 150lbs (66Kg)of weight all up on that mount.

Yep Bert,

There is 75 pounds in just the counterweights!

Does that still sound tempting, Paul?

davidpretorius · #27 11-06-2006, 09:23 PM

from what i saw of it at camp, this should handle the high mags if needed. This new setup is a great all rounder for DSO's or planets.

Awesome!

Wombat_In_Space (Darren) · #28 11-06-2006, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

Righto Ken, this is really tempting me. How heavy is the GSO tube?

GSO 12" OTA comes in at 25KG/55lb.

Wombat_In_Space (Darren) · #29 11-06-2006, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

As Darren (wombat-in-space) and I found out tonight whilst giving it the run through, the bottom of the scope almost hits the legs!!! We were looking at a very high Moon. So if I cut the pier shorter the OTA will hit.

Yes Al, the image scale is much better being approximately 3 feet closer to the object

Tonight was the set-ups first run at imaging and would you believe it. . . as soon as Darren and I had everything set up, lined up, imaging program running and doing the final 'fine focus' the Heavens opened up and down came the rain

The good points discovered before the rain are:
1. No stepper vibration or resonance thru the OTA
2. Mount and drive easily handle the weight (12" + ED80 + Rings + counterweights)
3. OTA glides around easily on both axis
4. 2.4m aluminium ladder worked well

Here is a pic of it in action tonight. The scope is waaayyyy down low to grab the high Moon. You can even see where the OTA is almost touching the leg!

Bad points It gets hit badly buy the wind