Re: [APML] Observatory Progress - the Final image.

[astropix@att.net]

 Chris...

     Congratulations on the successful completion of your observatory... like 
many others on this list and elsewhere... I look forward to viewing the results!

     I examined the mounting closely, as I'm building a rather large GEM myself 
and I wanted to see how you addressed certain issues. I like the idea of having 
the DEC motor drive assembly fixed to the main DEC surface plate... my 
preliminary DEC drive/tangent arm plans attached the drive motor to the OTA 
main saddle plate. This would mean the DEC motor itself would rotate parallel 
with the OTA... your set-up doesn't let the motor mounting move in DEC... only 
with RA. Your arrangement also puts the DEC brake at the bottom of the DEC 
axis... my plan would have put the DEC brake at the top, just underneath the 
OTA. How does balance work out with your set-up? Seems that it wouldn't be so 
top heavy in DEC balance... but what about RA?

     I noticed as well the comparatively small drive gears on the DEC drive... 
aren't those spur gears? This disparity in gear sizes is encouraging to me... I 
was beginning to think I might have made too much compromise in my own gear 
size selections, which were somewhat cost/availability mandated. I have decided 
against a tangent arm DEC assembly, and will go with a clutched worm drive on 
both RA and DEC. I have my gears... the DEC gear can be viewed here --------->

     http://home.att.net/~astropix/12_inch_Byers_gear.html

and my most expensive single investment in this hobby to date... the RA monster

     http://home.att.net/~astropix/18_Byers_gear.html

     I'm sure you have thoroughly tested your mount... the work on your web-
site clearly indicates you know what you're doing! You have utilized a lot of 
wood... strong but light weight and low-cost... clever, eh? Let us know when 
this stuff sees 'first light'!

 Congrats again...

 Geoff Powers


 PS... (the structure itself is awesome... not mention :::location::: !!!)





     
> Hi all, This weekend, we finished our observatory project by intalling the 8
> inch schmidt camera.  Now the fun begins, shooting the fall and winter skies
> from a extremely dark sky site.  I hope the next postings youll hear from
> this instrument will be rich full colored imagery!  Heres the final shot:
> 
> http://www.PSIAZ.com/Schur/astro/clrckoty-final.html
> 
> 
> Take Care,
> 
> Chris
> Astro:  http://www.psiaz.com/schur/astro/index.html
> 

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