I'm finally starting to take images! All the setup is done. A lot of delays caused by clouds, wind, etc.
I'm just finished with the Ring Nebula. I'll be able to compare this image to my image I took years ago with the older
C11 telescope. I'm finishing up the processing now, and will update this page shortly! As usual though, the clouds and wind took their toll on the moonless nights. It was hard to find good nights to image.
I'm working thru the issues, trying to get the telescope ready for automated imaging. Some of my challenges are: I'm not good at staying up late!, work schedule, high winds, clouds,
and lastly after doing an around 500 point T Point model, I found the polar alignment was way off. I noticed the bubble level on the mount was off too. Apparently I
have the problem others have had with clay soil, and as it dries and wets with the seasons, it can push on the pier cement and move it. This is a bummer with a
permanent mount. The pier cement goes down 4 ft into the ground. I re-leveled the pier, and then got the polar alignment back on. I'm waiting for the moon to get out of the way, so I can do another 500 point model, to get
super accurate pointing.
I'm hoping to soon be ready for imaging this next new moon. Meanwhile I've been building a new lightbox for flats. That's coming along nicely. I'll post some pictures and
have a separate page of construction details coming soon.
I've got the site mobile friendly now, so those with phones, tablets, etc can all see the website easily.
April 4, 2015:
The new telescope is up on the mount. I have a lot of wiring to do, to put it all back together. I got
my smaller FSQ-106 telescope on top of it also. The old C11 looks pretty tiny compared to this new one. I'll be selling the old C11 telescope.
The new AG Optical Systems Telescope is a 14.5" iDK, with a carbon fiber tube. The large telescope weighs 61 lbs, and with the smaller one and the
camera equipment, I'll be right under 90 lbs of equipment, just under the limit of equipment for the mount (not including the 80 lbs of counterweights).
Jan 7, 2015:
The new AG Optical Systems telescope was delivered today! A 14.5" iDK, with carbon fiber tube. It looks a lot larger
than I expected, almost the size of a 55 gallon oil drum!
I'll be replacing the C11 with the new 14.5" telescope, quite an upgrade! Below
is the telescope, sitting next to my love seat couch. The tube is about 18" in diameter,
and about 3 ft long.
I'll try to get more images and details posted soon on the new telescope. It is awesome looking!
Just a reminder to everyone - all my images depend on dark skies. Help preserve the night skies by keeping
lights at night to a minimum. All lighting should be downward facing. This will help everyone be able to enjoy the
spectacular night skies. Learn more with this You Tube video by the McDonald Observatory.
Steve Riley