Ad Astra Observatory

I haven’t posted in awhile, and the reason is because everything is up in the air in my astronomy world right now.

I have finally lost patience with the G-11, and have decided to sell it and move up to a new mount. The next “class” of mount, which includes the Takahashi NJP and AP900, claims to have such low PE that it’s just silly.

That “silly” comes with a steep pricetag. My next mount will cost a minimum of $4,000. I expect it to run closer to $6,000, once all is said and done.

So I have been culling the astronomy gear, seeing if there’s anything out in the shed that’s worth some dough, other than the obvious G-11 itself. Add to that the fact nobody’s buying on the ‘mart, and I’ve had some trouble sleeping.

In other news, I picked up an auto-collimator and had another go at getting Veronica in collimation. I think I am close, but the RCC has seriously messed up the ability to adjust the scope. I am almost ready to just sell the scope off, buy a new one, and redo from start. It might be worth cutting down the XT8 tube or building up a new tube (CF anyone?)

The autocollimator might get Trixie up and running, too. That’s next. If Trixie makes it through The Culling.

Right now, things that are on the chopping block include: ST-4, D70, Trixie, C9.25. We’ll see what is left in the shed once I hit my number for the new mount. I am hoping for some good prices on the sales and some good prices on the buy. Right now I don’t seem to be getting much of either.