Ad Astra Observatory

I have a second G-11 living in my garage. I bought it on Astromart with the intent of selling it for a profit. It’s a non-Gemini G-11. But, since it’s essentially a “spare”, my friend Art in WA offered to take a look at the Gemini and see if he could get it working right.

So I boxed up the Gemini head and shipped it off last night.

I just went out and mounted the new G-11, got it all balanced and loaded up with Veronica and Pumpkin. Since the last time this mount was turned on was in Florida, I have some polar alignment work ahead of me. But, Pempro should make short work of that.

It’s actually kind of refreshing being back on a non-GOTO G-11. It feels very familiar (I’ve only had the Gemini for a little over a year, before that I was on a G-11 much like this one), and somewhat free of complication.

I mounted Veronica, because I have had no problems getting things in Veronica’s FOV with manual setting circles (I left the encoders on the Gemini mount, just in case they are part of the problem).

I’m really looking forward to seeing how this new (temporary) mount performs under the stars.