Re: [ATM] First Light!

["Thomas Janstrom" <thomas@moiler.com>]

Hi Francis,

Sounds like you have a great scope there!

I have a gut feeling that the star test will just be a formality. :)

What I did when I started to assemble my scope is I used three wooden blocks
held by clamps to move the mirror cell up and down the tube til I found the
sweet spot, then I drilled the holes to hold it in place. Just thought you
might like the tip for your next scope! ;)

Happy New Year!!!!!!!

Cheers, Thomas.

-----Original Message-----
From: atm-bounces@atmlist.net [mailto:atm-bounces@atmlist.net] On Behalf Of
Francis J. O'Reilly
Sent: Tuesday, 1 January 2008 10:26 AM
To: atm@atmlist.net
Cc: PParkerrs@cs.com
Subject: [ATM] First Light!

The weather cleared up in Brewster, NY today.

I took my telescope outside and the fun began.

I had seriously misjudged where to mount my mirror (or where to drill the
focuser hole) I remounted the mirror twice before I was able to focus
properly, eventually moving the mirror about eight 1/4 inches further up the
tube, but now it focuses in the middle of the focuser travel.

Stars were pinpoint with four diffraction spikes. Mars was great with a
fifteen mm eyepiece, I actually saw some surface detail. I will star test
later this evening after the telescope adjusts to the outdoor temprature.

The mount does not travel to the zenith. I can correct that by adjusting the
balance point.

Francis J. O'Reilly
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