My new solar mount setup
From components suggested by Bill Cowles,
http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=1932 Dedicated visual solar mount based on suggestions from Bill Cowles. Celestron GT114 mount head ($225 on sale) with Alpine Astronomy Vixen Head Kit ($100), Orion Right-Angle Bracket ($30) and optional Televue 2.5x Powermate. The Celestron GOTO mount-base computer will align on the Sun alone. Solar observing setup for very relaxed eye viewing on a relative budget price. Tracks 5 mins plus before tracking needs a tweak on initial test. Optionally can be mounted at right-angle to observer using Vixen mount adapter for imaging. The Vixen direct mount gives the PST Ha and Ka a better center of gravity to take the pressure off the tracking motors. Vixen head adapter for Celestron GT114, NexStar 60/80 and StarSeeker 70/80, and one for the NexStar 114/130GT and StarSeeker 114/130 http://www.alpineastro.com/mounting_accessories/mounting_accessories.htm Install instructions http://www.alpineastro.com/mounting_accessories/nexstar_bracket/NexStar%20Br... Took it out today for a test drive between the rolling cirrus cloud waves. Maybe try some imaging tomorrow. - Kurt
This is an interesting, fairly simple set-up that I see all over the 'Net, so it must be satisfactory. I'm looking for something similar or perhaps a dedicated small equatorial- which would be easy to align to "close enough" visual standards in the daytime. Thanks for posting this, Kurt. Keep us updated on the imaging trials and if the balance becomes a hassle with camera attached. On Sat, Jun 6, 2009 at 7:25 PM, Canopus56 <canopus56@yahoo.com> wrote:
From components suggested by Bill Cowles,
http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=1932
Dedicated visual solar mount based on suggestions from Bill Cowles. Celestron GT114 mount head ($225 on sale) with Alpine Astronomy Vixen Head Kit ($100), Orion Right-Angle Bracket ($30) and optional Televue 2.5x Powermate. The Celestron GOTO mount-base computer will align on the Sun alone. Solar observing setup for very relaxed eye viewing on a relative budget price. Tracks 5 mins plus before tracking needs a tweak on initial test. Optionally can be mounted at right-angle to observer using Vixen mount adapter for imaging. The Vixen direct mount gives the PST Ha and Ka a better center of gravity to take the pressure off the tracking motors.
Vixen head adapter for Celestron GT114, NexStar 60/80 and StarSeeker 70/80, and one for the NexStar 114/130GT and StarSeeker 114/130 http://www.alpineastro.com/mounting_accessories/mounting_accessories.htm
Install instructions
http://www.alpineastro.com/mounting_accessories/nexstar_bracket/NexStar%20Br...
Can anyone comment on comparing the Meade Autostar mount with the Celestron GT114, for this application? I've found a seller with the Meade mount for $50 less than the Celestron sale price, and it includes an 80mm refractor that would be discarded, re-sold, donated or parted-out.
On Sat, Jun 6, 2009 at 7:25 PM, Canopus56 <canopus56@yahoo.com> wrote:
From components suggested by Bill Cowles,
http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=1932
Dedicated visual solar mount based on suggestions from Bill Cowles. Celestron GT114 mount head ($225 on sale) with Alpine Astronomy Vixen Head Kit ($100), Orion Right-Angle Bracket ($30) and optional Televue 2.5x Powermate. The Celestron GOTO mount-base computer will align on the Sun alone. Solar observing setup for very relaxed eye viewing on a relative budget price. Tracks 5 mins plus before tracking needs a tweak on initial test. Optionally can be mounted at right-angle to observer using Vixen mount adapter for imaging. The Vixen direct mount gives the PST Ha and Ka a better center of gravity to take the pressure off the tracking motors.
Vixen head adapter for Celestron GT114, NexStar 60/80 and StarSeeker 70/80, and one for the NexStar 114/130GT and StarSeeker 114/130 http://www.alpineastro.com/mounting_accessories/mounting_accessories.htm
Install instructions
http://www.alpineastro.com/mounting_accessories/nexstar_bracket/NexStar%20Br...
participants (2)
-
Canopus56 -
Chuck Hards