Equipment
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After purchasing a used Losmandy GM8 (my first real equatorial mount), I was unable to get it to track properly. After weeks of working and forum posting, the problem was located. This is a control board for a Losmandy G11 (big brother to the GM8). This was found in the drive box for the GM8. Since the G11 has 360 teeth on the main RA worm gear and the GM8 has only 180, the RA axis was tracking at 2x the Sidereal rate.
This is one of my early imaging set-ups, using an OLD 1st generation Canon 300D (Digital Rebel).
My first real imaging scope, a Stellarvue SV80ST 80mm Triplet Apochromatic Guider is a Meade DSI Pro and a 300mm mirror lens, coupled through a custom mounting.
Telescope: Takahashi FSQ-106ED with CAA Mount: Astro-Physics Mach1GTO with 1-7/8" Counterweight Shaft Guider: Meade DSI Pro through Astrodon MMOAG CCD: Finger Lakes Instruments ML11002 CCD, with 65mm shutter Fiter Wheel: Finger Lakes Instruments CFW-2-7 Filters: Baader 50.8mm LRGB & Astrodon 3nm Ha, OIII and SII Tripod: Losmandy HD, with custom machined adapter plate.
Telescope: Takahashi FSQ-106ED with CAA Mount: Astro-Physics Mach1GTO with 1-7/8" Counterweight Shaft Guider: Meade DSI Pro through Astrodon MMOAG CCD: Finger Lakes Instruments ML11002 CCD, with 65mm shutter Fiter Wheel: Finger Lakes Instruments CFW-2-7 Filters: Baader 50.8mm LRGB & Astrodon 3nm Ha, OIII and SII Tripod: Losmandy HD, with custom machined adapter plate.
This is a feature of the Astro-Physics Mach1GTO, called Meridian Delay. This allow the astronomer to slew the telescope to where it will track the target, uninterrupted across the Meridian. Generally, this is more successful for targets in the Southern skies.
I sold this to help finance a few pieces of my Astro Imaging system Car Details: 1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4. One of only 646 made in 1997. The car was powered with a 3L twin-intercooled, twin-turbocharged, 320 HP, aluminum bock V6. Drive was accomplished with a factory 6 speed Getrag transmission coupled to an all-wheel drive, all-wheel steering drivetrain, powering Z-rated 18" 245/40 rubber. Deceleration was handled by 2 pair of massive disks. Top speed is governed at 155mph. Interior was black & tan leather with a 6 speaker infinity sound system. Truly a masterpiece before her time. She will be missed!
Guiding G11 Gemini
1st guiding session with my Mach1GTO
This is why you shouldn't buy a telescope from a department store. In case you can't tell, the wrong end is pointed to the sky :-(
Terrestrial set-up for the FSQ-106ED. This allows quick change-out from CCD to DSLR. The Quickset tripod is very stable and will easily hold several hundred pounds. This setup has been used for Birding and Lunar/Solar shots.
Unauthorized use is prohibited
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