South Celestial Pole

[leon]

Hi to all
Well i have just finalised the setting up of my new Astro Drive as i call it.

Last night i wanted to polar alinge the unit, so, as i normally do taped a postage canister to the shaft, stuck my Olympus O.M2 Camera with 50mm 1.4 Lens, and Orion UHc Filter in one end, and exposed HP5 400 ASA Film for 30 minutes, and that was it.

I reckon i hit the target pretty spot on, what do you reckon......

The image is a bit rough, but certainly centered.

[iceman (Mike)]

Awesome work! Well done. Although the star image is small!

[leon]

i'll try a larger image

[leon]

well that didn't work

[leon]

Hi Iceman, Again

By the way the unit tracks pretty goo to.

This is a 3 minute, test run of random star field. (wide field)

[asimov (John)]

Thats one impressive looking setup Leon, is it made by you?

[leon]

Yea it is actually, this is the second edition one, the first i also still use but i made that back in 1984, about's

I made this one a bit heavier as i intend to put a small scope on it and try my hand at that.

Can get about 4 hours out of it before i have to put it back to the start, and go again

[asimov (John)]

I have something similar on my EQ mount: curved allthread on a radial arm connected to the RA axis, & another piece of allthread connected to a stepper motor that drives it.

The motor 'steps' too coursely to image at really high magnifications, so I will get it microstepping one of these days.

Anyhow nice job Leon, looks very professional

[Dennis]

Long live ATM! Wonderful results from creative and well engineered projects like this really do inspire me - well done!

Cheers

Dennis

[leon]

Thqnks Dennis.

I appreciate that comment, yea, i just like to build things....

[spudrick]

Looks great and from the photo it performs very well, i tried a few years back but my effort in building falls way short of you creation Leon.
Do you have building notes or plans i would like to make something that nice and functional.

[leon]

Hi Terry

Well actually i don't usually build things from plans, just make it up as i go, so to speak.
But i would be happy to send you a copy of the pages from the mag i got the idea from, and any relative info that may be useful to you.
Just PM me your address, and i'll give you what i can, to help.

[spudrick]

Thanks Leon that is good of you, as i am in Melton it would be good if i could drop by and see your set-up and "touch-feel" it.
Of course i will have to invest in some Heavy Duty winter gear to make the trek!

[leon]

Now that's a good idea, i didn't realise you lived that close.

If you can leave it until next week, i'll contact you and we could make a date.

Now Ballarat's not that cold.....

If you PM your Mobile no i'll give you a ring if you like Ill Pm you My No

[spudrick]

Thanks Leon, yes i am not far away. I will get there to catch up with Ken at the SVAA soon as well.
PM you with Ph number.