what would you do? (advice/opinions please) - Page 2

[1ponders] (Paul) · #21 10-03-2006, 09:40 PM

Congratulation Spearo.

You sound like a very happy camper

Of course now that you have joined the ranks of the "soon to be destitute" imagers, we expect a regular series of reports on how well your scope and mount is going. I don't know if we have any other CG5 owners here, so don't pull any punches. I suppose the first report by Monday night will be fine. Followed by one every three months as you learn more about it.

Congrats again. Enjoy

spearo (Frank) · #22 12-03-2006, 08:52 AM

Thanks Paul,
Well, It's Sunday morning, 12th March...last two night have been cloudy so no progress, except for the rising blood pressure caused by the mass of clouds i could see moving in last night!
HAhAHA
I'll be targetting the following "challenges" next: descent south polar alignment, experimenting with cameras available to me now (rigged up security CCDs, Sony handycam, S7000 (girlfriend's) and Nikon D100 (friend's) until I make a final jump into cooled CCD. Next will come issues like micro/robo focusser sort of thing but i think I need to wait until I have selected a cooled CCD before working out the most appropriate computer controlled focusser for the 9.25. I'll hae to set up my webpage to include pics I take over time.

There are also plans to open up my roaming range: I will be able to move away from the desktop beast as soon as the girlfriend buys me ...(cough) herself that new laptop she thinks she needs (

)...

Cheers
Spearo

[1ponders] (Paul) · #23 12-03-2006, 10:15 AM

I knew it. You're hooked

Poor man.

spearo (Frank) · #24 12-03-2006, 10:42 AM

Must be hooked....
told the girlfriend this weird dream i had the other night:
in a room full of people including a ....lets say, not well liked politician...i realised he had at the end of boring political diatribe pamphlet 4 pages of star charts etc suggesting his personal interest in astronomy....
i thought to myself:"Wel, maybe he's an OK guy after all..."
woke up in astartle and told the GF who cracked up laughing and couldnt go back to sleep !

So the bug seems well entrenched to be intruding in my sleep so I best invest in the cure!
spearo

Calin · #25 12-03-2006, 01:54 PM

Cure is ... you give me your scope and keep dreaming ..... of your favourite poly.....

spearo (Frank) · #26 12-03-2006, 02:36 PM

No chance Calin!
been studying the void of south celestial pole to best prepare for the alignment i might try tonight if we get clear skies.
I also fitted (makeshift) a polar scope (northern hemisphere) into my mount (bought one that doesnt quite fit, with a nice internal map including polaris....handy!) ...I'll have to get a good one that fits the CG5 at some point...
Also been looking at my little hill behind the house with a neighbour who owns a chainsaw...I think it'll be a good spot for an "observatory"...his skills with the chainsaw will come in handy to lose two trees that slightly block the celestial view...
doesnt look like i'm about to hand over my scope.
But as I say: I accept all donations!

spearo

Calin · #27 13-03-2006, 12:19 AM

By my recollection HR8630 in Octantis is a close star to SCP
alt:26"47'.40
Az: 181" 22'.06

or Polaris Australis HR7228
RA 21h14m Dec -88"56'

Maybe my off-sider can give you a hand with that observatory on the hill ...

spearo (Frank) · #28 14-03-2006, 10:52 PM

HAHAHA
you need to consider giving that poor offsider a raise so he can afford descent workwear gear!

I agree the polaris Australis seems good...assuming I could find it with the polar scope, which i think I have less than a good chance to achieve with my skill at this point.

I have been contemplating using the goto to find south celestial pole, lighting it p with green laser (making ennemies of any neighbouring imagers...), lining it up with my other scope (100mmachro), transferring the green laser to that 100mm, then setting the mount of the 9.25 properly aligned...

as for the hill...the trees get a stay of execution as I find the open field i the back even better (i have a small amount of acreage).

Might design and build a basic shelter to house the scope/mount. dont think i'll be wanting to move it if i ever get it properly aligned!

spearo
(still happy to accept all donations of SBIGs or any other cooled CCD camera....well, I'm not proud....either I spend on camera equipement or eat...I reckon i can go without food for a while....

)

acropolite (Phil) · #29 15-03-2006, 11:02 AM

Congratulations Spearo, IMHO you have made the best choice; I'm sure you'll enjoy the new toy, don't forget to post a picture.

GrampianStars (Rob) · #30 15-03-2006, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calin

By my recollection HR8630 in Octantis is a close star to SCP
alt:26"47'.40
Az: 181" 22'.06

or Polaris Australis HR7228
RA 21h14m Dec -88"56'
.........

The easiest way to find the South Celestial Pole is to extend the arm of Crux, the Southern Cross, about 4 1/2 "cross" lengths.
The position is nearly marked by the closest SCP star, Sigma Octanis, at magnitude 5.5 is offset by about 2 degrees from SCP

In another 7,000 years, the SCP will be marked by two bright stars,
Aspidiske (Iota Carina) and Delta Velorum, both about Mag 2 stars.

I'm hanging around for that show