Otis Astroimaging Log Tuesday April 26 2022
The Night Sky
Arose at 2:30 am to a spectacular view of the crescent Moon and flanking Venus. The other less bright objects and stars were obscured by haze so the alignment conjunction will need to wait for another night.
Nexstar Observatory (NTO)
Work is proceeding perfectly on the Celestron Nexstar 6SE Observatory at the rate of one empty water bottle per day. The total is now up to 17. The tape ordered was 50/50. Half was the correct clear 3M tape. The other was an undesired tan other brand which was tested and will not work. I think the 6 rolls of 3M tape will be enough. Tools will not be needed - no need to purchase an electric drill, saw, etc. The assembly uses off-the-shelf tape, motorcycle cover, book shelf unit, bungee cords and empty recycled thick water bottles. The telescope was removed from the tripod and sized on top of the observatory platform, check stability, clearances and usage.
Accessory Orders
The accessory orders are going good. Decisions were finalized on solar filters for the new solar observatory. (This will allow astro imaging of solar sunspots, granulation, eclipses, transits, and limb effects.) Other items include a much larger level for the Nexstar telescope mount, a possible new planetary guide telescope (Maksutov Cassegrain) with an OTA that's only 8-inches long. It can attach with a camera hot screw mount. Batteries for those devices that take a button power source. Rolls of DIY hose clamps for attaching the Orion CT 80mm refracting telescope, a finderscope mount and dovetail base with screws, a new tri device mount, ultrawide angle EP, several Barlows for lunar and planetary imaging (the new barlows merely thread into oculars much like colored filters), more plastic & resin finder scopes, etc.
Vendor Selection
A tip for vendor selection now involves checking out a number of reputable sources and looking for specific telescopes, accessories and astronomical items. Shopping around can save money with the item, postage and shipping, tax, and fees associated with customs clearance. For example, China sources sell a smartphone to telescope adapter for $2 while Amazon sells the same item for $37.95. PChome is now selling telescopes. There are numerous USA companies which now have inventory but the shipping may be costly.
Diagonal Note
The replacement diagonals with high quality 99% reflectivity dielectric coated optics were much too large and would interfere with the telescope OTA and base when viewing near the zenith, therefore the stock diagonal will not be replaced.
R&D
Research and development continues for the Celestron Nexstar 6SE telescope and the invention of new techniques to make it more powerful and more capable. Thus far, techniques include the comforts of indoor observing through a pane of optical white glass, telescope amping to increase a telescope's diameter, Transdigilog (transitioning digital and analog), and TransAs (transitioning art and science).
