Embedded Files
The goal is to convert the Meade LX50 telescope to be more manageable for transporting and handling. So the original fork mount was detached from the OTA, and then a dovetail was attached to the OTA for GEM use. Don't recall the exact details of removing the fork arm, since it's been several years - but it entails removing 6 screws (3 per side in a flattened triangle pattern) from the OTA.
The weight is now distributed in four ~12 lb. sections:
OTA
GEM
counterweights
tripod
The finished GEM conversion:
The finished GEM conversion:
The OTA is mounted on an Orion Sky View Pro (SVP) EQ GEM tripod (non-tracking and non-GOTO), with ScopeRoller wheels.
Original Meade LX50 fork mount attached to the OTA - total weight: 36 lbs.!:
Original Meade LX50 fork mount attached to the OTA - total weight: 36 lbs.!:
Without the 25 lb. fork arm assembly, the OTA weighs only 11 lbs. - making it much lighter and less bulky to handle.
Losmandy VSCT13 dovetail mount is bolted to the OTA - and secured with 10" diameter hose clamp rings:
Losmandy VSCT13 dovetail mount is bolted to the OTA - and secured with 10" diameter hose clamp rings:
Hose clamp rings are covered with 1/2" red heat shrink tubing to prevent tube scratching. The large 10" diameter hose clamps were bought from a marine/boating store, since the largest clamps found at heating/air conditioning (HVAC) stores were only 7" in diameter.
Accessories attached to the OTA:
Accessories attached to the OTA:
(from left to right)
Lumicon 200mm finder scope (w/diagonal and 25mm eyepiece)
BSA RD30 red dot pistol sight mounted on a 3/4" wide aluminum strip
black plastic shipping pallet tie-down strap is attached as a carrying handle
also ...
large focus dial attached to original focus knob
sawed off Walgreens plastic pill bottle used to keep dust out of diagonal when eyepiece is not installed (orange in color, barely showing)
Green laser pointer attached to a 1/2" wide aluminum U-channel that is bolted to the OTA:
Green laser pointer attached to a 1/2" wide aluminum U-channel that is bolted to the OTA:
A green laser will allow you to point at distant celestial objects in the night sky. Care must be taken not to aim at people and aircraft.
Currently using a turn-key worm gear hose clamp (shown with a yellow key) to quickly secure and unmount the green laser pointer:
Currently using a turn-key worm gear hose clamp (shown with a yellow key) to quickly secure and unmount the green laser pointer:
The hose clamp was bought from an auto parts store, and is covered with 1/4" red heat shrink tubing to prevent scratching the OTA.
Glow-in-the-dark (luminous / phosphorescent) sticker on each tripod leg:
Glow-in-the-dark (luminous / phosphorescent) sticker on each tripod leg:
Prevents observers from accidentally kicking the tripod leg at night. eBay sticker seller claims that 15 minutes of light exposure should glow for about 10 hours - not radioactive.
Orion Nebula - M42
Orion Nebula - M42
Taken by the author at Fremont Peak State Park, California. Circa 1997. Meade LX50 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, Olympus OM-1 camera body w/T-adapter, Lumicon Easy Guider w/f6.3 focal reducer, Lumicon Deep Sky filter. ~15 minute exposure with 100 ISO slide film. Scanned with Minolta Dimage Scan Elite II.
Click on the image to get a larger 1.1MB JPEG image.
This park is open after dark only by special arrangement with SJAA and SCC OSA.
Clear Dark Sky chart:
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