Kimboman

Hi the tripod is a standard type of a theodolite flat toped tripod . this tripod has a 65 mm diameter hole to receive the base of the theodolite. I cut a piece of 10mm aluminium that I obtained from my vast come in handy box( everyone should have one),drilled and tapped the 10mm aluminium plate to secure it to the tripod top and I set out the dimension of the Celestron mount onto the plate.using 4mm set screws and drilled a 10mm hole dead centre for the new hold down screw which is one quarter BSW. there are 3no locating nibs set at 120 degrees apart I marked the positions on the plate and drilled 3 no 5mm did blind holes to take the nibs this prevents the base from turning and allows the base of the goto to sit flush onto the tripod head. I bent a piece of flat steel to bridge the 65 mm hole in the original tripod head and drilled an 8mm clearance hole to locate the one quarter BSW location bracket on the base of the goto base fortunately I had a the correct size bolt withe a plastic thumbscrew to secure the goto to the tripod I fabricated a 2 mm aluminium bracket which I lined with base to carry the goto hand set on the tripod

Welcome To Star Gazers Lounge ,it is a great site for newcomers and like me Oldies cheers

Hi I recently acquired a Celestron 102 GT telescope and goto mount . The telescope is very good with clear bright images and the goto has the mark 4+ handset with 40,000 objects although this scope will not see them all but works very well. the only problem with this set up is the tripod mount Jelly wobble, I have an old aluminium theodolite tripod which is solid so I set to and modified it to carry the goto mount and scope. What a difference at least an 80% improvement and a much higher adjustable platform. This mount is also great for my Meade ETX 90 ota rock solid This compliments my 6se goto,15x70 binoculars 10x 50 bins and lots of accumulated items

The image of the telescopes looks very similar to my Celestron 102 GT .this scope works fine with both types of diagonal . The reducer is tapered and it is removed to take the 2 inch eyepiece

Yes I agree Amzing

Thanks I wasn't sure what I was seeing but your description fits the bill

Great reports. when you do eventually locate an object I find it mind blowing. its getting to know the Skys through the seasons and the fresh delights each season brings. keep looking

thanks Astro Noodles I did suspect as much but I wasn't sure cheers

Hi all ,I went outside at around 11pm to see if the sky had cleared enough to vie Saturn and Jupiter. Suddenly I saw three satellites following one behind the other all equally spaced ?? any ideas what I was seeing regards

Amazing images

A very interesting topic ,I am always wary when out in the we small hours and I must admit I have made the odd din or two ie tripping over the tripod and the red lights sweeping around. I have new neighbours on one side and when they moved in I made it known to them what I got up to at night , It is amazing how noise carries at night ,I would go with the bottle of wine idea no use in falling out( maybe invite them round for a view)

Wow amazing

HiI set up fairly early hoping for a repeat of last nights great observing session,but alas the seeing was terrible . obviously the culprit was the remnants of todays 30degee temperature I did manage to view Saturn but the image was far from stable Jupiter was a little better but all in all it was an early Finnish its a shame really as there will be little sleep tonight as the house is baking Hopefully better nights await

yes the views were great

Great ,I would be pleased with that view I have not been in to astrophotography since the days of the Russian SLR and black and white film to old to indulge now but wished I had

Just come in from one of the best nights viewing for a while Observed the moon until the trees intervened then Saturn was visible I used my Celestron 102 gt refractor and my Meade ETX 90 the views of Saturn were great and could see at least one moon. By this time Saturn was lured into the trees But Jupiter was now well placed The views of Jupiter were stunning I could see two cloud belts and the moons were pinprick sharp. The Celestron 102 GT is a recent aquasistion and I am well pleased with its performance. These two telescopes are great for get and go my poor 6se is still in its box but now the sky is once again getting more interesting it will soon be out the sky at the moment is crystal clear

tough JeremyS just sneaked in after a great night

Superb

Nice reports, I do not have the late night problem being long retired does have its compensations A spare bedroom is a must can't wake the boss

nice photograph I viewed this on the 14th with my 6se

Super images

Hi I have just finished a decent evening viewing the Moon Saturn ,Jupiter M57 and enjoying the stars. I purchased a Celestron 102GT and mount for a very reasonable price this has goto and I tried it out and it works perfectly The mount is not stable enough for this scope as it is f9.8 and 1000 fl but the scope is great with no noticeable CA. The mount is perfect for my Meade ETX90 OTA and worked well,I used my se6 mount for the GT and this proved to be really stable

Once again amazing views thanks for sharing

Fantastic I look forward to view it again soon well done

Hi that's astronomy for you ,you have to have a fall back hobby mine is walking