Cambroon 18/07/09

[pmrid (Peter)]

Well done. I didn't think you'd get any ckytime at all, judging by the $%#@ clouds that closed me in here at Somerset Dam. Different story tonight though. I'm just processing a M17 that's looking pretty good.
Peter

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Rob, you've got to be happy with that.
It's a ripper, especially when you consider how low it was!
I processed Corona Australis in the morning. It came up pretty good too. Big thank you to Paul for lending me his gear. After the focusing focuser farce I was feeling very upset. I would have been quite happy to throw the whole thing down a gully on my drive home.
I'm getting my OTA cut down this week (today?). The new scope WILL be a goer this weekend.
Rob, should I get the 2" eyepiece adaptor cut down as well???
Thanks Ron for letting us take over your place, again.
It was a good turnout wasn't it. I think there were 15 people all up? Could have been more.
The high light of the entire evening was the high powered view, 750x, of Jupiter through Ron's 16". Looked at through a light fog, the seeing improved immensely showing great detail and colour. Unforgettable!

[astroron (Ron)]

Thanks Jeanette, the total was 17 people and 1 dog
The Jupiter was only was only Mag x 610 but what a view
I must have a look for the spot that Bird spotted, just hope the seeing is ok

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Yes! Must look for that tonight. I'll setup before going to work.
How exciting!

Fudge is a sweet little thing isn't she. She crawled into bed with me for a while there. Nearly as good as a hot water bottle, only hot water bottles don't demand scratches.

BTW Ron, are you still finding shreds of silk about the place? (jnettie was moulting)

[pmrid (Peter)]

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

Rob, you've got to be happy with that.
It's a ripper, especially when you consider how low it was!
I processed Corona Australis in the morning. It came up pretty good too. Big thank you to Paul for lending me his gear. After the focusing focuser farce I was feeling very upset. I would have been quite happy to throw the whole thing down a gully on my drive home.
I'm getting my OTA cut down this week (today?). The new scope WILL be a goer this weekend.
Rob, should I get the 2" eyepiece adaptor cut down as well???
Thanks Ron for letting us take over your place, again.
It was a good turnout wasn't it. I think there were 15 people all up? Could have been more.
The high light of the entire evening was the high powered view, 750x, of Jupiter through Ron's 16". Looked at through a light fog, the seeing improved immensely showing great detail and colour. Unforgettable!

Jeanette, I've got a low-profile GSO Crayford 10:1 focuser that is surplus to my needs - has a base for an 8" Newt as well. Want to try tat before cutting up tubes etc?
Peter

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Peter, I bought a GSO low profile 10:1 focuser when I bought the scope. We removed the SW one but found that the hole was WAYYY to big, leaving gaps on all sides of the plate. Also, with the low profile one in place, we still couldn't achieve focus. So the OTA will have to be cut down.
What is the size of the focuser plate on yours?

[RobF (Rob)]

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

Rob, you've got to be happy with that.
It's a ripper, especially when you consider how low it was!
I processed Corona Australis in the morning. It came up pretty good too. Big thank you to Paul for lending me his gear. After the focusing focuser farce I was feeling very upset. I would have been quite happy to throw the whole thing down a gully on my drive home.
I'm getting my OTA cut down this week (today?). The new scope WILL be a goer this weekend.
Rob, should I get the 2" eyepiece adaptor cut down as well???

Sorry to hear of all the troubles Jeanette. Its a really bummer when you've been dying to get out with the new scope. I spent weeks (months?) playing with my focuser originally looking at websites figuring there HAD to be some adaptor or fix. VERY surprised the cut down 2" adaptor didn't work for you.

Davewaldo took a bit off the back of his 8" OTA (same model as mine), but I haven't seen how much. He was away but might respond to a PM. If Paul is helping I'm sure he'll get it right for you! Remember you might have to put a small extender on to get focus with eyepieces after you "operate". I wouldn't cut the 2" down until you see how you go. I took mine to a machine shop to get them to cut it and tap out the screws. There's a good thread on it here I could find if/when you want to know more.

Cheers again Ron for hosting such a great outing!
See you Sat JJJ!

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

There's a bloke in town who's a bit of a specialist, I'll be using him for both cuts. Still, I can use the scope for Jup tonight. I should get focus using the 5x barlow and the LPI.