NSW Northern Rivers 2008

[GrahamL]

I think I read somewhere that the springs on the 12" gso's are a little troublesome at times and need replaceing .. I think there are some posts probably tucked away in the archives on the subject.

[Lismore Bloke (Paul)]

Yes I think you're right. I heard that some use valve springs from old engines, but not sure. I had a session last night with the mirror locking screws back in and things were much better. Hardly had to touch the focus.

Tried out the old "deep sky filter" I bought from Astro Optical years ago. I haven't used it because of it dims star images and colours everything blue.
It did make the gaseous nebulae In Sgr and the SMC stand out well, but knocked globulars around. Just moved it in front of the eyepiece.

Used the short Orthos on Jupiter and the viewing was pretty good. Quite steady and very little dew early on.

[Lismore Bloke (Paul)]

Sorry I didn't reply to your post. What size is the teflon washer you have?
I was thinking of getting some teflon pads to replace the small originals. I think Glen did that to his 12. Where you get teflon from???

Not sure what was happening mirror-wise. I poked the mirror supports and there was definitely movement there, so I put the bolts back in, tweaked the collimation a bit and tightened the screws just enough to bear the weight a bit.

Last night was good again, no problems. Star images were the best ever. Sharp little diamonds, little evidence of seagulls or any other wildlife, except at the edges. I just wish that I had Glen's awesome sky knowledge so I can find a few more objects in those fainter constellations. If I had the dough I'd just get an Argo. Cheers, Paul.

[CoombellKid]

The Teflon pivot washer measures 55mm OD, 25mm ID and 1mm thick. Ialso have a three spacers the same size but about .5mm thick, to adjustthe height if need be. Apart from that you can get a full dob teflon kitfrom SDM in Victoria for around $20. That includes 4x Alt bearing teflon pads, three azi teflon pads plus the azi pivot bolts teflon washer and spacers.

[Lismore Bloke (Paul)]

Thanks for the info. Might just drop them an email.

[GrahamL]

I'm not fussed on all this high cloud thats been buzzing me everytime i go out of late .. it seems to hang just long enough to send me off to bed then clears perfectly.

[Lismore Bloke (Paul)]

This is a fairly primitive effort. Nikon D50 hand held against the 12mm EP.
Not sure what size photos have to be ... just a guess, like the exposure etc.

Cloud has just come over to spoil the fun.

[Lismore Bloke (Paul)]

Bigger size version. Might display better.
Image was tickled in Photoshop and converted to greyscale.

[glenc (Glen)]

It was nice last night once the wind died down.
The wind nearly blew the roof off my observatory yesterday, one bolt unscrewed itself and fell out.

[CoombellKid]

Originally Posted by glenc

It was nice last night once the wind died down.
The wind nearly blew the roof off my observatory yesterday, one bolt unscrewed itself and fell out.

Was thinking about it myself, but the wind and Rugby League WC final kept me inside. What a whipping eh' : ) Looks like the wind is back again today, if it settles later I'll be out.

[GrahamL]

I went and caught the cruel sea last night ( wow there still great )
and ole tex did mention we lost ? .. I got out about 1.30 and stayed till the moon came up .. it was very clear .. Still looking at tenterfield next weekend glen ?

[glenc (Glen)]

Yes I am still going to Tenterfield provided it is fine.
Unfortunately Rob says he can't come.

[CoombellKid]

Originally Posted by glenc

Yes I am still going to Tenterfield provided it is fine.
Unfortunately Rob says he can't come.

Hi guy's

If you can give me until Tuesday to confirm, I will know for definite by
then. In the meantime Glen if you could let me know how much you
want me to throw in for fuel and any camping fees and such, so I can
arrange my available funds. That would be good. If you have already
made other arrangements... no worries

[CoombellKid]

Just confirming, I wont be able to attend the Tenterfield meet this
coming weekend. I hope you all have a great time and best of conditions

[CoombellKid]

Just got home myself and shoved a roast in the oven for a decent feed. Looking awesome out here... a lil bit of wind. 70knt jetstream over head so not quite getting to pristine... still worth setting up. Didn't get a chance last month as it kept clouding in.

[GrahamL]

Yeah I'll have a look rob .. my current bolt comes through a machined brass sleave .. which might be a pain to remove .. the upper part of the sleave is slightly resessed into the rocker box floor and has quite a bit of bolt protudeing.. so I was hopeing to turn up an extended bolt of sorts
drilled and tapped at the top to take the encoder arm and threaded at the bottom to lock onto the sleave ...I'll have to look at the overall height though as its probably pretty tight and getting close to the bottom of my mirror box.


14 mm xw.. you had a look throgh one of these ?.. the tight eye relief of both my naglers was getting a bit bothersome with my crap eyesight...hey you still got that clear disk ?.. I think its out of my red light torch .
__________________
12" truss dob and numerous misplaced
accessories...............graham..

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/vbiis/i...c/progress.gif

[CoombellKid]

I'll get some photos organised over the next couple of days of the pivot boltand plate I have. I got it from Wildcard for my Argo, but ended up going with a powered groundboard kit. I think from memory I left 1"/25mm clearance to allow for the azi encoder.

Yup! I've looked through one of those ; ) congrats!!!

[CoombellKid]

Haven't located that disc since I last told you about it. Kids... most probably the young one have done something to it. Sorry.

[GrahamL]

anyone keen this weekend ?

[glenc (Glen)]

Graham yes, if it is fine.