20140728 Nam Cheong Playground

This is a very short observation session with my kids.  We went with my Nexstar SE mount, together with my C5, just a small bad plus the mount on the hand.  The mount sat on a flat bench in the playground, but occasional train movement nearby was proven too shaky, but anyway, it settles fast.

Alignment is easy, but there are too many trees to block the view, not to say the even worst light pollution.  Basically we could just see the planets and the moon.

Quite enjoyable, due to the simplicity.

20140715 Saturn

First time doing planet with my Nexstar SE mount.  Seeing poor at 2/10, transparency also low at 4/10, I believe.  This is done with my white C5 at f/20.

At 1/15s, gain was pushed to 80% which indicates poor transparency.

Visual observation with a 20mm eyepiece renders a solid image, but pushing to 125x by adding a 2x barlows, image becomes a bit too dim.

Tracking is very nice, however, the initial alignment is a bit difficult inside home given a narrow view angle from a small window.  Given the alignment is done, GOTO is rather accurate as I can quickly go to the Mars even at 62x!

I will do it again soon whether the sky gets better.  Saturn is quite nicely positioned this year.

20140711 Moon, mount testing

This is yet another test of my Nexstar mount.

A table top mount is good in the sense that it can aim higher since it's lower!  And without the tripod, it could get closer to the corner to gain wider view.

This is a testing shot at 2400mm prime focus to see whether the tracking is good enough or not.  So far I'm satisfied, even with solar system alignment with the moon alone.

Celestron Nexstar 4/5SE mount

I got one used without the tripod.

The first impression is good.  The mount is mostly metal, it's stable and the capacity is good.  I bought it down stair to try it out on the road side.  I just placed it on the road side.

GOTO is accurate even with solar system alignment, i.e. I pointed it to the moon and let it go!  Going to the Mars is fine enough, Saturn was blocked by a lamp post.  But the general direction is correct.

In order to see whether it was stable or not, I plugged in a 4mm eyepiece to check with the moon.  Focusing was easy, image was stable within one or two seconds.  Tracking was smooth and no shaking...  Later I realized that it was 312x!

People said this mount is better with the 4" Maksutov than with a 5" SCT, but I found that it's enough!  This mount will be used for solar imaging with my Ranger, so I consider it a nice purchase.

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On the next night, I tried to use for my solar setup.  Yes, I did it at night.

The Solarmax filter makes it seriously front heavy, I've to slide the balance plate all the way to the other side to reach proper balance, but then the rear side will hit the mount base when the scope was pointing up. 

I guess I will need to add some weight at the rear side for balancing.

20140609 Sun taken through window glass

The window was broken so it couldn't be opened, I was forced to take image through the window glass:

The result was so ugly....

20140526 No tracking solar imaging

The Sun is still in a bad place from inside my room, and it is impossible to use my Mark-X for tracking.

1436 (GMT+8), at prime focus, no tracking and thus shifting and expand during stacking:-

 

1438 (GMT+8), with 2x barlows, no tracking and again shifting and expanding during stacking, the zip-zap line on the bottom is the artifact:-

I will try to keep on imaging even no tracking is possible.

20140428 Sun

Let's show the result first.

First one taken at 1514 (GMT+8) at prime focus:-

Next one close up at 1518 (GMT+8) with 2x barlows:-

I didn't look at the sun for long in H-alpha, and I didn't do imaging either.  And this is the first time I got my hand on the RichView tuning.  Seeing was very bad at 3/10, cloud moving around rather quickly with variable thickness.

Problem One: I couldn't use my Mark-X since the viewing angle was very bad, so I was using hand tracking or better say without tracking.

Problem Two: The new Solarmax is very front heavy, due to its bigger size and the added RichView tuning ring...

Problem Three: My DIY dec motor was not working for some reasons, I got to check.

Problem Four: I don't have a motorized focuser right now... 

Anyway, the result is rather encouraging.

C5 First Light: Collimations!

Guess what, I spent over 1 hour for fine tuning the collimation. 

I first use a low power eyepiece, defocus the star and adjust.  Next, I put in a high power eyepiece, again defocus and fine tune the whole thing.  Finally, I put it in focus and check the airy disc, fine tune again.

Next I put in my Lu070M, and re-adjust the whole thing.

If you got a SCT, the first light should be on collimation!

Accurate collimation is critical, while some collimated scope is not really stable since not all the collimation screws are tight.  So, once you reached a good collimation, tighten each screws incrementally until it's rather firm in place, don't over-tighten, however.

This is also a good test for my DIY DEC motor, backlash is rather bad due to the poor motor mounting and there's no backlash compensation in the DIY hand controller, however, it's very useable.  At high power, after adjusting the collimation screw, the star will simply move away rather significantly, sometimes even out of the field of my 1/3" CCD, but then a dual axis motor will help to bring it back effectively.

My 4th C5 OTA

Believe it or not, this is my 4th C5 OTA.

I bought a Nexstar 5 and used it for quite long, and then I sold it after getting a 4" ED refractor or something like that, but I was soon caught by the portability bug.

I bought another Nexstar 5 OTA, and it was a lemon, I sent it back.  And then get another one, but soon sold due to financial reason shortly.  After a few years, I got this one, and this is the classical white OTA.  It's made in the US, the visual back has a single lock screw.

Collimation was very well maintained, only minor tweaking was what required, I will fine tune it further with a star.  This is a nice balance between portability and aperture at a very reasonable price, it's so unique.

SMF60-10 first light

This is a dangerous one, since that 82mm to 77mm step down ring is not very secure, so I was hand holding the filter all the time... of course, it won't drop easily, but consider its price, I won't give it too much confident.

Tuning the T-max and focusing is difficult in that case.  Also, the objective was partially blocked by the window frame since the sun was not in a good observing location in the sky with respect to my home.

I forgot the H-alpha view indeed for most of the time I was doing imaging, and my Solarmax 40 has be sold rather long ago... the impression of the new setup was good!  Prominence and surface detail was rich, not much better than the Solarmax 40 I would say, since I was observing at low power.  Also, focusing or the T-max or the RichView was not tuned carefully as well.

The bandwidth and illumination is very even, much better than my Solarmax 40 setup.

To give it a more secure connection, I would buy a 77mm male-male macro coupler, or two step rings screwed together to form such an adapter.  Dual male adapter is available from ebay at over $100 HKD shipped while it was like $20 HKD from taobao but remember the shipping cost.

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I managed to get one at $38 from a local shop, factoring in the shipping from taobao, it's a fair deal.

Testing it on the Solarmax plus my Ranger, it's a very firm and secure setup.  I'm going to test it out soon!  Getting excited!

Clearing up and restructuring

Since my last major selling of equipments, all my stuff could be easily packed inside.  I didn't care to tidy up and there's no need.

With the arrival of some new stuff, I made up my mind to re-organize all the stuff.  I raised up the board to enable me to put in those bigger stuff on the lowest level.  Notice the bigger hole on the left.

The next lowest level was for stuff not very often used.

On the next level, my Ranger and my Mark-X plus the eyepieces and barlows.

On the upper level, my photography stuff... I just had four lenses left namely the kit lens, a 50mm f1.8, a 8mm fisheye, and a 200mm f2.8.

Everything would be basically ready by the next week, except maybe for a motorized focuser (JMI NGF-S or NGF-CM or similar) which I am still hunting for.

Solarmax II 60 and BF10

It arrives and it's much bigger, both the box and the filter itself.  I've to reorganize my equipment cabinet to fit it inside.  The coming C5 OTA will be placed along nicely.

It now comes with a RichView tuning ring in addition to the T-max tuner, I've yet to try it out to see how it works.

A very thick and large chunk of metal, probably requires more counter weight and will make the scope very front heavy.




The ERF side has 82mm female thread, the telescope interfacing side has 77mm female thread and 82mm male thread.  So double stacking requires no adapter, but I don't think I will go that route.

I will need to buy a 77mm male thread to 82mm female thread adapter ring (step up) in order to fit it on my Ranger.

Longing to try it out!

20140324 Jupiter

I have a brief look at Jupiter with my Ranger tonight.  My GOTO Mark-X is not useable due to the poor viewing angle, my 410 head did it marginally. 

Finding it with my 20mm widescan at 3+ degree field of view is easy, and then I zoomed in using my 4mm at 120x, quite a nice view despite the cloud around.

Imaging is rather impossible, unless with an iOptron Cube like mount which I owned before, but the aperture and quality are both very limited.

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I watched the dealer's page and Meade supply seems resumed, and then I send him an email, my new solar filter will probably be ready earlier next month!  Longing for that, need to make an adapter for my Ranger first, and also get a JMI NGF again!

20140324 Sun and the testing of the motorized DEC

Cloud floating around, it's virtually impossible to image.  Got the follow as a test of the motorized DEC, 1602 (GMT+8):-

Backlash is obvious but it is still perfectly useable given you had a bit patience.  The DEC motor is driven by a 9V (7.4V actual) battery, the speed is about right.  I will make a better hand controller for it.

Motorizing the DEC slow motion control

This is a video of the first integration test by using a rather soft metal plate to fix the motor in place.

I've used it with a telescope this morning at different voltage level. The view through the eyepiece shows that, at 12V DC input, the slewing was responsive and no backlash could be observed at 24x but the slewing speed could be a bit too fast. By going down to 7.4V, backlash is more observable but still very acceptable, the slewing was far slower for fine tuning. In fact, it could be even slower at higher magnifications. I guess I will settle down with a 9V (actually a 7.4V Lithium battery in the form of 9V 6F22. Therefore, I shall get a box which allows me to mount two buttons plus the 9V battery inside, maybe a small variable resistor.

20140220 M42

I was both a bit too busy and too tired physically to go out tonight.  But it was a bit too bad if I didn't observe with better sky, so why not just to have some simple observation from inside my home?

M42 was my target.

I pulled out my Ranger, with my 20mm widescan, it's quite easy to see.  Even the trapezium could be resolved at this magnification.  Jumping with a 2x barlows, the view is better for sure.  Then I pulled out my 4mm TMB planetary, and it becomes a bit too dim to view with direction vision.  Averted vision does help a lot and this is by far the best view of the night.

The chromatic aberration was not a problem for deep sky observation, even at higher magnification.  I was thinking whether I might go for a bigger achromat?  But that won't help on solar imaging...

Anyway, it's so nice tonight since I can concentrate myself on a single target visually.

20140217 Sun

The new H-alpha filter is still pending, the dealer is having problem with the supplier.  It has been several months already, so I've to stick with my white light filter.

Moving cloud today with high humidity, transparency so so as a result.  Seeing not good as well, so I only tried with my 2x barlows.

Prime focus, 1437 (GMT+8):-

With 2x barlows, 1443 (GMT+8):-

From low left to upper right, AR1977, AR1980 and then AR1974.

20140130 Sun (年三十)

Seeing quite nice, I would rate it as 6/10. Transparency not bad for solar imaging, 6/10. 1407 (GMT+8), Ranger at prime focus:-

1412 (GMT+8), Ranger with 5x Powermate, close up of AR1967:-

From TG-SP II to Mark-X

 

About six or seven years I ago, I bought my Takahashi TG-SP II in the hope to use it as my life long partner, since it's very compact and portable with high quality.  Over those years, I even tried to motorized the DEC and to add autoguiding function to it.

Later when I have a calling from God, I found that I couldn't keep all these luxuries.  Then, I sold my stuff progressively and the TG-SP II was no exception.  That was my last tracking mount in my equipment cabinet.  Basically, everything that could be sold for around $100 USD has been sold.  I kept only my Ranger (with ugly looking lens), a couple of eyepieces, barlows, and a 410 head and a simple tripod to keep myself in the hobby.

It turns out really unexpected that I got my hand into a legendary GOTO Mark-X.  On selling my TG-SP II, the buyer offered to sell me a mount which left unused due to a failed tracking motor.  Later, I realized that it was a GOTO Mark-X and so I accepted his offer as partial trade at a very low cost.

This mount is very hard to find since the manufacturer discontinued it many years ago.  It was the mount of choice for portability and accuracy by then.  It has a DEC body for the full version and it's capacity and accuracy are far higher than that of the TG-SP II.  I took the plunge to get it, for the baseline is that, I could do hand tracking or even re-sell it.

After so many adventures, I made the following:

 

Lithium-ion 18650 battery used with the hand controller, can provide 20 hr of continuous usage.  For the loading, one side with manual slow motion control and Vixen style dovetail, another side with ball head.  I consider it done except maybe adding a polarscope illuminator.

Thank God that when I decided to give up for Him but then He gave me something even better, and this project even trained myself up on drilling, metal work, and electronic techniques.

20140124 Sun as the first test of my enhanced Mark-X

I'm active again, the Ranger focuser was regreased, and the Mark-X was enhanced.  The work was mostly done except only the polarscope illuminator was not yet fixed in place.

See the pencil mark to see where should be trimmed for fitting.

Fitted in and mounting screws hole drilled, fixed in place.

Two more holes on mounting the DEC slow motion control block in place, smaller holes were drilled first for the possibility of fine tuning by enlarging for better fit.

The old mounting bar was used to guide the new mounting holes.

Done and it looks as in my mind before all the actual drilling work.

The first light in action!

The ballhead side was not used, and it could be used for wide field imaging or simply as a balance.

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This is the first light of the mount, 1209 (GMT+8):-

And dimmer group of the top center (a bit right) is very interesting and it should be AR 1957, worth continue monitoring if situation allows.

Ranger at prime focus.

Enlarging the hole of U-adapter

Before the process, I only have access of a simple hand drill borrowed from someone.

The difference is not too small, 3-4mm I measure:-

It was difficult and required a lot of patience.

 

This is close to done, but I would leave it alone first after like 2 hours of hard work:

When this is done, I've to enlarge the mount holes to fix it on the Mark-X mounting holes.  And then I will need to drill two holes on the mounting plate to fix the DEC slow motion control worm block.

U-adapter arrived

This is very light weight and strong.  It's originally for GP, and I've to enlarge the polar scope bore by 5mm.  I planned to do it slowly by sanding away those metal, a hard work but it should work out better than any other way.

The mounting holes have to be modified as well, and also to fix that DEC slow motion control in place.  Another side could be used to fix a 3/8" ball head directly.

Once this is done, I can start doing some wide field imaging.

I'm still waiting for good bargain on second hand NGF-S or NGF-CM.  The delivery of Solarmax is another unknown since the local dealer said Meade is having problem.

20140106 Sun

First light after focuser re-greasing.

Prime focus at 1342 (GMT+8):-

Close up with 5x Powermate at 1459 (GMT+8), the DEC worm block was re-greased after the above shot and before the following shot.

AR1944.

Re-greasing the DEC worm block

Did it after the prime focus shot, since when going for high power, I found some problem.

Adjusted the tension screws and the retaining screws, feel much better now.

Regreasing the Ranger focuser again

The focuser was getting bad over the years, I've re-greased once it after 8 years of ownership.  Now, it's the 16th year!  Despite the original focuser was retired itself for one or two years when a NGF-CM was used instead for motorizing focusing, it still serves me long enough.

Last time I just bought a Boron grease from a model shop and the grease was not sticky enough.  Focusing was smooth but you could easily go beyond the point since it's not sticky enough.  Recently, a local buddy gave me some sticky high quality lithium grease so I take the plunge to do it again.

This time, I was doing a complete regreasing.  Last time when I was regreasing my LXD55, I gained enough experience so I could do it more completely.  Last time, new grease was added but the old one was not removed.  Frankly, there's an emotional reason behind that since the Ranger gave a Tele Vue smell which is probably from the grease so I dare not to clean them up completely.  But now the smell was mostly gone, so I did actually remove all the old grease.  And during the removal process, I could notice some residue Tele Vue smell and it's now the last time!

The old Tele Vue grease mixed with Boron grease after around 8 years.

Some of the grease was dried up and this is probably why the focusing action was no longer smooth.

After cleaning.

And after re-greasing:

It works better than the first re-grease, nearly as great as the moment when it arrives.

20131231

We went to Pak Tam Chung (aka PTC for local buddies) for a short observation, taxi from Sai Kung was around $60 and it took just around 10 minutes to arrive.

Armed with my Ranger on a small tripod, and also my Canon 10x30 IS, we had some good time under the starry skies.  The sky was not very dark by any standard because we have some not-far-away street lamps and a toilet nearby with naked lights.  However, it's enough for several hours of target hunting.

Several local buddies were taking images so no green laser points to guide around, but it's not too hard to use finger and repeated descriptions.

This time, we have also bought a camping cookset.  It allows hot drinks and cup noodles which are so nice in cool weather. 

It's just wonderful to start a new year under a starry sky!

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Equipment modified project:

I've just ordered a U-adapter originally for Vixen GP, and I shall adapt it to my Mark-X and the hardest part is to enlarge the 35mm polar scope hole to 40mm to fit my Mark-X.  Patience is the king.  Drilling holes for my slow motion control and to mount to the Mark-X should be relatively easy.

20131205 Moon and Venus

They got really close, a 55mm lens in APS-C format:

Up close with my Ranger at prime focus, 1853 (GMT+8):
 

Overexposed to bring out the darker side, 1855 (GMT+8), 1/7.5s maximum gain:

Vertical artifacts could be seen easily.

I have shared the eyepiece view with my kids, they were amazed.

Getting back into the game!

I guess I will take the plunge to get back into the game, this is the plan in my mind.

First of all, I will do H-alpha solar imaging again by getting a filter set for my Ranger.  I will also need to get back myself with a JMI motorized focuser both for better focusing and more in-travel to allow the use of a reducer lens for full disc image.  Adapter has to be made to fit the Solarmax with my Ranger.

Secondly, I will need to optimize my Mark-X to get two scope/camera at the same time, or a counter weight on the other side.  A Vixen GP photo guider like adapter should be made, one side for the slow motion adapter and another side for a ball head.

Finally, I will be looking for a 100mm class ED refractor for visual observation.  This is the last step and I shall wait for good deal.  It will allow me to do better white light sun, some wide field night time observation, and visual planet or lunar observation or imaging.

That's above what I could do to sustain and remain myself in the hobby.

20131203 Venus

With 5x Powermate, seeing worsen compared with yesterday.

Taken at 1811 (GMT+8).

20131202 Sun and Venus

Plenty of sunshine these days, and the sun is pretty active too.  Seeing becomes a little bit more stable and I would rate it as 3/10, transparency on the high side at 6-7/10.

Prime focus, taken at 1257 (GMT+8):-

With 5x Powermate, 1302 (GMT+8) and 1304 (GMT+8):-

Finally, I pulled out my 4mm to have a look.

And later on the same day, I take a look with Venus together with my family members and then took the following:-

Again with a 5x Powermate, 1817 (GMT+8).

The Mark-X tracks really well for over half an hour at 120x, still dead center.