Ad Astra Observatory

WIth the NJP back in the observatory, I spent a little time trying to get Trixie mounted up, to test out the rebuild.

I was a little worried about how the mounting plates were going to work on Trixie.

On the other hand, I was also worried that things were going to rip apart, strange cracking noises, and a number of other things.

Yeah, so it turns out that my fears about the mounting plates were well-founded. Because of the way that the plates attach relative to the truss tubes, there is not enough space for the saddle knob. sigh.
I could replace the knobs with machine screws, but I am also thinking that I might just use a different mounting plate. I just bought a Casady Triad Bar, which is designed for mounting 3 scopes side by side, but I don’t really have saddles to use with that anyway, and the Triad is several inches longer than the DC17.25 plates I’m using, so I might be able to figure out a win in fairly short order. It’ll take a little time.

One thing to note: I finally got to use both my 3rd NJP counterweight and the Beer Can extension! Man, Trixie is heavy. I got things “kind of” balanced in RA; it was still very much “over here, it’s CW heavy, over there, it’s scope heavy” with weights in the same position. Yikes. I will have to spend some time scratching my head over all of it.

Oh, and I really need to find an easier way to mount the scope. It is a real back-breaker to get up to eye level. Maybe I can figure out some kind of way to mount it while Trixie is standing on the ground…

I found a couple of cool places where I could prop Trixie against a wall while still on the mount, so I could mess with CW without having to keep a hand on the CW shaft. It is one big scope. Honestly, I’m not going to be able to really automate a photo run with Trixie inside the observatory. I’m going to have to be out there, babysitting a lot, to make sure the scope isn’t grinding into a wall.

Good news, I didn’t hear any strange wood cracking noises. I didn’t get a full chance to test things, but this is good news. And really, I think the new OTA is more than stiff enough.

I have an idea in my head how to fix the mounting plate. It will just take a little time. And a screwdriver.

Don’t worry, Trixie. You’re still looking “go” for photos. Soon. Just please let me get the scope on the mount and then not move it for a few months…