astrolunartick

Hey folks. So Ive been a visual observer for nearly 20 years. I have various telescopes, but mainly use a 10 and 20 inch Dobsonian with no tracking. Ive been using a smartphone to document my observations and also to do live streams for an Astronomy facebook page I run. So Its time to upgrade to a proper camera. I also want to use it as a normal camera for day time photography and capturing video if possible. or maybe that requires a video camera as well. I would like an all in one solution if it exists. My budget is about £600. What camera would you suggest? Many thanks Pete

I always use heat shrink on all my truss poles anyway so it was a fairly well hidden mistake.

I don't see why not. Probably even better than this 20". As when I take it apart the Mirror box is pretty heavy even without the side bearings attached. So with a 13" It would probably be better. I think.

Heres some of the plans.

Hey Friend. Any old excuse to make another telescope! So I've been planning to rebuild my 20" Dob for sometime. I built the original 20" about 6 years ago when I didn't drive, but 3 years ago I passed my driving test and got a van. The van is now a camper with a rock and roll bed seat. The scope sits in front of the bed seat, when I'm in transit. But when I'm parked up for a night observing and I finish the night to sleep in the van. I have to leave the scope outside, as it wont fit in the van with the rock and roll bed down. which i really don't feel comfortable about. So the plan was to make a new Dob using the Optics, Focuser and Mirror cell from the original 20" that will fit under the rock and roll bed. Plus I've just fitted a roof rack. So the ladder and truss poles can sit on top now. I started collecting all the materials about 2 months ago and then started the build at the beginning of December. I've had a mad rush to get the scope finished before the Great Conjunction. Ive taken some inspiration from Gordon Waite Renegade Telescopes. As this seem to be a design with in my capabilities. I managed to get it done in time with some loose ends to tidy up at a later date. But sadly my area has just gone in to Tier 4 today, so I'm at home . Thankfully the last 2 nights have been clear here. So I've managed to observe the beginning of the Conjunction. I had a crazy stressful moment yesterday. I had a stinking migraine and was rushing to get the scope done. I stupidly cut 100mm too much off the truss poles and found out last night when I had the scope at home testing it out. So this morning I managed to turn eight hardwood 22mm diameter by 150mm long dowels on my lathe to slip inside the poles and side the 100mm off cut back on to extend the poles again then used more heat shrink to cover the bodge. What a bodger hey? It doesn't look too bad. I had to hammer the dowels in so they are a tight fit. and i put a small screw through each part so it won't come apart. Any way it's together. as i said before I need to spend some more time on the scope to get it finished. Some of you might know I have a Youtube channel where I've posted some of my scope build videos. I have filmed this build, I just need to edit the footage down to a watchable length and then I will post it on here. Thanks for reading I will update soon Pete

Really sorry to hear this. Its a great event.

Well Ive managed to get the scope finished with the carving inscription that my friend asked me to do. I applied 3 coats of yacht varnish. Yacht varnish isn't the nicest finish to apply but it is perfect for the conditions the scope will be under. The first proper collimation went very well. The secondary mirror only needed adjusting away from the spider a little to bring it to the centre of the light path. Its very satisfying when you look in the focuser and see your eye looking back perfectly framed and centred by both mirrors, with the primary centre donut decal bang on your pupil. then put a laser collimator in and its dead centre with no adjustments. I must be doing something right. I took the scope home last night and set it up outside. I only had a little time to test it out. It wasn't dark but i could see Jupiter and Saturn so those were the targets. I started with Saturn. Saturn and Jupiter were nice and sharp with the 23mm eyepiece considering the planets low locations in the sky. I could make out the Cassini Division and Jupiters belts with one of Jupiters moons just on the edge of the planet. With the 10mm eyepiece both planets were twice the size than when i was using the 23mm eyepiece. The view was a little blurred but that was dew to the altitude of the planets from the horizon. If i get the chance i will test again tonight with darker skies and on some deep sky objects. i want to see the moon through it but that mean being awake at 4 - 5am tomorrow and i have work. So heres some photos of the scope out in my gazing spot.

Today Im very chuffed with myself. Finally got the design down for the wooden red dot finder. This was a very tricky thing to make. Ive made several attempts at this before and I think Ive finally got it sorted. The adjustments work perfectly. Ive used a 3v Red LED with a small piece of fibre optic attached on the end, all wrapped in some small heat shrink and powered by a 2032 3v battery. The same as what is powering the collimator my friend will be using. Ive also been trying to make a wooden focuser, but with my deadline approaching Ive not got the time to iron out the issues with that. Just need to do the letter quote carving on the scope some where. then its strip the whole thing down, sand and varnish then its final assemble and proper first light test. I had a quick look at Jupiter the other night through it and thankful the view was sharp and the eyepieces came to focus with the focuser half way in. so Im happy.

Hey Dr_Ju_Ju The final weight is 13kg. the tube comes of the base, thats half the weight.

Thanks Damian. Hope all is well with you.

Thank you for your kind words fellow stargazers.

Hello again folks Ive had this design idea in my head for about 5 years as a nice looking solid hardwood telescope that would be a pleasure to use sat on a stall and will sit nicely in a room or conservatory rather than a plain metal tube. Sometime has past and I had to put the project on hold. Now Ive had a friend ask me to make him one so its been a push to get it finished. My friend has requested a carving of a quote that means something to them somewhere on the telescope. So that should be fun. This scope is nice sturdy design with segmented tube made from beech and mahogany. The rocker box made from birch plywood and mahogany, with a eyepiece and accessories compartment in the rocker box. I have an intention to make a build video of this design uploaded to my youtube channel for all to see. Videoing the process slow the construction down a bit and i have a deadline for this so a build video will have to wait for when i make another one. But for now i will upload Photos of the finished scope in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for reading AstroPete

Thanks for letting us know

Hello folks. I was wondering if anyone can help. Ive been taking my Telescopes to musical gatherings and small festivals for about 10 years now and im wanting to reach out a little further. So i thought it best I get Public liability insurance. I have heard of the federation of Astronomical Societies, and i believe they only insure Astronomy clubs. can anyone point me in the right direction. Many thanks pete