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Posts Made By: Thomas Northup

July 10, 2008 01:47 PM Forum: Home Observatories

Dome slit

Posted By Thomas Northup
Hello everybody

I am now at he slit phase of construction on my 7.5 ft geodesic dome. I am leaning toward a one piece shutter that slides sideways on a tube or rails. Does anyone have suggestions pro or con to this style ?

Thanks

Tom

August 9, 2008 12:28 AM Forum: Home Observatories

Dome rotation motor

Posted By Thomas Northup
Hello

I am nearing completion of my 7.5 ft dome.
Would like some input on a good motor system for the dome rotation.
I can use 12 or 120 volt . I will control it with a manual switch
for now , but automate someday.

Thanks

Tom

May 4, 2011 01:20 PM Forum: Meade

8"Lx200 parts to 10"

Posted By Thomas Northup
Hello

I am wondering if the electronics and drive motors from an 8" Classic will work on the 10" ?

Thanks
Tom

June 9, 2012 03:16 AM Forum: Meade

Secondary mirror in image

Posted By Thomas Northup
Hello
I have an Meade LX200 classic F6.3 253mm . My problem is whenever I attempt to use a focal reducer I cannot obtain proper focus without a shadow from the secondary mirror showing up in the image. This happens weather I use a DSI , modified web cam or digital camera attached.
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Tom

June 24, 2012 02:57 PM Forum: Digital SLR AstroPhotography

Prime focus with an F6.3 scope

Posted By Thomas Northup
It is rare to find anyone with experience at using an F6.3 scope. I have a 10 inch Meade LX 200 classic F6.3 mounted in my observatory that is almost completed ( but useable).
I have had some luck with a Meade DSI and also the Phillips SP900NC web cam.
I also have a Fuji S700 set up afocal .
The problem I have is the "shadow" from the secondary mirror when I use the Fuji.
I also have tried to use it at prime focus and cannot get the secondary out of the photo.
I want to move up to a modified DSLR but would like to know if it will work !
Any advice or references you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You
Tom

October 22, 2014 04:24 AM Forum: Telescope Making

Mirror Testing

Posted By Thomas Northup
A friend of mine recently acquired a 32" mirror, 2" thick and a FL of 147".
He is wondering if there is a place he can have this mirror tested.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Tom

July 11, 2008 02:41 AM Forum: Home Observatories

Dome slit

Posted By Thomas Northup
Cal - Andy - Steve , Thank you for you're input .
The shutter will be manual for now but at some point in time I am shooting for automation of everything. The dome will sit on a structure 14 Ft tall. This puts the top of the dome at about 19 ft. Maintenance could be interesting , so I would like to do something that is really " Bomb Proof " .

Thanks

Tom

May 4, 2011 10:21 PM Forum: Meade

how can I to remove Meade 10" lx200 OTA from a fo

Posted By Thomas Northup





Hello Refet
This is the site I go to with most of my LX200 questions.
http://www.mapug-astronomy.net/astrodesigns/mapug/Miscs1_LX200.htm#removing

Tom









September 6, 2018 07:57 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Truss tube or Cass?

Posted By Thomas Northup
  Good evening
Trying to make an informed decision, weather to invest in a iOptron 14-Inch f/8 Ritchey Chretien Reflecting OTA  or a Meade LX200 16" F/10 ACF UHTC. Both are the maximum size that will fit in my observatory.
  Does anyone have any experience with either one. This will be my " forever scope". I will be doing some imaging and spectral analysis of Red Dwarfs. It will be mounted on my Orion HDX110.
  Any input will be appreciated.
Thanks
Tom

September 6, 2018 08:17 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Truss tube or Cass?

Posted By Thomas Northup
 Thanks,,
I will look into it. Have a great mount, need an OTA.

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