Instead of a tripod....

[Skyhat]

Just a thought.

Forgoing a tripod, if I took the head of a guided brand new imaging mount and heavily super glued it to say an 60 pound square or rectangular boulder (granite or whatever), I would have a very heavy set up, but it would be plenty steady and stable for imaging with a scope with a 600mm focal length.

Right?????????

[Skyhat]

Just to note...

That much "super glue" would be dangerous to be around. It can cause chemical burns, and it would have enough fumes to ruin a person's nose 👃.

Maybe an 80 pound boulder? Cube shaped?

[Elp]

Your main issue would be having the scope not foul with it, why they are mounted onto piers, extensions and tripods, unless if it's a dobsonian rocker box design which can be mounted to a flat base.

Bolts are also more secure.

Edited July 21, 2023 by Elp

[wulfrun]

Superglue is relatively weak and doesn't age well outdoors either. I would not trust it for anything of value. Slow-setting epoxy would do the trick but why not drill it, then use a rawlplug and a bolt? Much more secure. That's assuming you're really convinced the boulder idea is workable.

[Emperor!Takahashi!]

Have you considered pouring a concrete pillar? That's what many people use as a permanent alternative to a tripod.

[JeremyS]

Look up Todmorden Pier. Lots of examples on this site. Brainchild of Lord Peter Drew.

[Lee_P]

I use a concrete block "Todmorden" pier. It's brilliant. There's some more info and a picture here.