Obs session at ECP on 28/05/10?

timatworksg · Post by **timatworksg** » Fri May 28, 2010 1:45 pm

Croy! Thanks for the offer but I managed to do some little modification and converted my dinky Celestron photo/video tripod. It's nothing fantastic. Was given to me by a photog friend and useless for astronomy due to it's plastic build and lack of proper support. switched dovetails, search for screw 7 nut...taa dah!! Holds my Celestron 80ED, diagonal, finder & EP comfortably enough for basic viewing. Gave it a 'poke' test and vibration stopped within a sec I think. But forget about slewing or slow mo. This is a point and stay,re-point & stay mount..HAHA! Besides, I'm pretty used to slowly scanning in a squared pattern thru the EP. Sorry...Diver's habit of squared search! Never used it before. Only other mount I have is a Vixen GP with Ioptron motors which is to heavy for me to lug with counterweight, battery and all! Awaiting for next week when I can finally have my portable Alt AZ mount.!!

Thanks Croy but you can travel in comfort and ease now!

As for the Ob, will try to make it too! Have dinner plans and unless if it doesn't happen, will be there earlier, or not, after 8pm too! But no promises if things drag....zzzzz. Won't do an overnighter though but can chit chat and hang out which is cool by me!

Gary · Post by **Gary** » Fri May 28, 2010 1:45 pm

croys wrote:I'll try to make it tonight. The weather isn't looking good though :-(

Tim: I can offer you a tripod with 405 head, will that do? The trouble is, I don't have a car, so will be going in a Taxi. So, no heavy mount for me, I'll be using my TG-L and a scope, probably my Sky-90 (you know, the one for sale) or my 125SD. It will be a bit of a pain, but I think I can manage the TGL and one other tripod.

Also, I have movie & dinner plans, so I don't think I can make it over there until after 8:00pm.

Cheers,
Stuart

Hi Stuart. Sent you a PM.

Gary · Post by **Gary** » Fri May 28, 2010 1:47 pm

timatworksg wrote:Croy! Thanks for the offer but I managed to do some little modification and converted my dinky Celestron photo/video tripod. It's nothing fantastic. Was given to me by a photog friend and useless for astronomy due to it's plastic build and lack of proper support. But it will hold my Celestron 80ED, diagonal, finder & EP comfortably enough for basic viewing. Only used it for my photography work when I don't wanna lug my Slik tripod or with Bino's.
For mere viewing and quikies, it's ok with the 80ED. Thanks Croy but you can travel in comfort and ease now!

As for the Ob, will try to make it too! Have dinner plans and unless if it doesn't happen, will be there earlier, or not, after 8pm too! But no promises if things drag....zzzzz. Won't do an overnighter though but can chit chat and hang out which is cool by me!

Hi Tim. I have a Slik 340DX. Is that a better tripod for you? I can bring it along.

timatworksg · Post by **timatworksg** » Fri May 28, 2010 1:53 pm

@Gary...no worries bro! No need.
@Croy...ditto. No need for the tripod.

Prob is, my dovetails have no photo screw thread and would need Vixen bases. I have Williams rings around the 80ED and not using the troublesome clamshell.

No probs and thanks for the offer guys! Think I'll be ok with the scope and pod for tonight.

cheers!

timatworksg · Post by **timatworksg** » Fri May 28, 2010 2:00 pm

timatworksg wrote:Croy! Thanks for the offer but I managed to do some little modification and converted my dinky Celestron photo/video tripod. It's nothing fantastic. Was given to me by a photog friend and useless for astronomy due to it's plastic build and lack of proper support. switched dovetails, search for screw 7 nut...taa dah!! Holds my Celestron 80ED, diagonal, finder & EP comfortably enough for basic viewing. Gave it a 'poke' test and vibration stopped within a sec I think. But forget about slewing or slow mo. This is a point and stay,re-point & stay mount..HAHA! Besides, I'm pretty used to slowly scanning in a squared pattern thru the EP. Sorry...Diver's habit of squared search! Never used it before. Only other mount I have is a Vixen GP with Ioptron motors which is to heavy for me to lug with counterweight, battery and all! Awaiting for next week when I can finally have my portable Alt AZ mount.!!

Thanks Croy but you can travel in comfort and ease now!

As for the Ob, will try to make it too! Have dinner plans and unless if it doesn't happen, will be there earlier, or not, after 8pm too! But no promises if things drag....zzzzz. Won't do an overnighter though but can chit chat and hang out which is cool by me!

Sorry! How come double posted....!! Mods...please!

Gary · Post by **Gary** » Fri May 28, 2010 3:36 pm

Saturn tonight 28/5 and Jupiter tomorrow morning 29/5 according to Stellarium.

[left]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/464 ... f089_o.jpg[/left]

[left]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/464 ... ebfd_o.jpg[/left]

swimaniac · Post by **swimaniac** » Fri May 28, 2010 4:27 pm

Southern sky looks like clearing up a bit, BUT dark clouds with lightning in the North and North East

Clifford60 · Post by **Clifford60** » Fri May 28, 2010 4:28 pm

swimaniac wrote:Southern sky looks like clearing up a bit, BUT dark clouds with lightning in the North and North East

Going?

fizzy123 · Post by **fizzy123** » Fri May 28, 2010 4:33 pm

Hi folks,

Looks the the weather is getting from bad to worst. The southern skies is ok, but I am not sure of the northern part. But, Clifford (wouldn't mind playing with your giant binos again), swimaniac, are you guys keen on going? I am still optimistic about it but I will just bring my bino.

SingAstro

Obs session at ECP on 28/05/10?

Saturn tonight and Jupiter tomorrow morning.