2 replies to this topic

[Sky King]

Recently the clouds have been winning. And there is bad weather across the country. It was the wrong time to experiment with something new.

 

I had a couple nights and got out my C11. I had camera problems and then the C11 focus knob froze. I have to take off the primary mirror and figure out why it is binding.

 

I got out my Meade 10" LX200, with a 2540 focal length and no reducer. I tried a  ASI178MM-Cool that I had.  It finally came to focus on the Moon, but at that focal length with a really small sensor the image kept dancing around. Worried about the clouds coming in I got a few videos. After processing they looked like a Salvador Dalí picture of melting clocks. 

 

So I debated posting just these two. First I tried to figure out what was in the images. (If the image isn't great, is there any significant content?)

 

Took forever but with the 21st Century Atlas of the Moon the first image is the Mare Crisium area with Proclus and Cleomedes. The second image is Mare Fecunditatis  with a cool Messier and Messier A. (This detective work is mostly enjoyable. It's like the Where's Waldo books.)  I'm posting these for anyone that has been clouded in for weeks and misses the Moon. Clear Skies!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Sky King, 04 May 2025 - 01:52 PM.

[T1R2]

Did you recently change out the finder scope bracket? sometimes if you use a longer screw sometimes they can catch the edge of the primary mirror and get stuck or trapped in front of the primary so it wont move or worse chip or scratch the mirror. Also check the set screws on the focusing knob if it has one (I can't remember) but maybe that has came out and not allowing the focusing knob to function properly. 

 

I recently made a book "dew" cover for my 21st Century Atlas of the Moon, I used a plastic folder from the dollar store, but just the normal folders not the one with metal clips to hold paper, I did have to cut out the center where the two sleeve halves meet about 1.25" in the center to allow the spiral binding to slid in, and used the folder sleeves to hold the front and back cover, works great. 

[Sky King]

Did you recently change out the finder scope bracket? sometimes if you use a longer screw sometimes they can catch the edge of the primary mirror and get stuck or trapped in front of the primary so it wont move or worse chip or scratch the mirror. Also check the set screws on the focusing knob if it has one (I can't remember) but maybe that has came out and not allowing the focusing knob to function properly. 

 

I recently made a book "dew" cover for my 21st Century Atlas of the Moon, I used a plastic folder from the dollar store, but just the normal folders not the one with metal clips to hold paper, I did have to cut out the center where the two sleeve halves meet about 1.25" in the center to allow the spiral binding to slid in, and used the folder sleeves to hold the front and back cover, works great. 

Thanks for the ideas! So many cloudy nights that I fixed it already. I took off the corrector and checked those screws and cleaned from the front, and then took the focuser apart. The focuser was turned all the way out (or in) and got stuck at the end when it couldn't go any further. I use a ZWO EAF and the software must have thought there was more to adjust when there wasn't.  I have set marks on the corrector edge, so it went back in exactly as it came out. Collimation will still have to be checked.

 

The plastic folder is a good idea if you take it outside. I have a wireless setup and work from inside. I go out and do flats, polar alignment and it's back inside. It avoids bug bites, allergies, my neighbor the cigarette chain smoker, etc. and I go out as needed.