Posts Made By: Joe Ramacciotti

Hello.

I am having a peculiar align issues with my scope. I go through the normal setup process where I polar align the scope when the scope is off: level the tripod, set the DEC to 90 degrees and sent the RA to where the scope is “upside down”. I check alignment by rotating the scope in RA and verify the stars rotate around Polaris in the FOV. I rotate the diagonal 180 degrees so I don’t have to kneel down.

After power up I select the easy alignment option and the scope proceeds to find home. When the scope has finished homing, I realign the scope (which is usually necessary, but only minor adjustments are required) using Alt/Az adjustments on the wedge. I don’t move the scope in RA or DEC at all. I only use the wedge adjustments. Once realign I’m instructed to press enter and after doing so I get an error from the scope. The error reads something like “Polaris out of limits” or “Polaris outside of limits” or something like that. I am wondering if anyone has encountered this and what you did to correct it.

Currently, I just hit enter a second time and the scope starts to slew to the first alignment star.

Thanks for reading and for your comment.

Regards,

Joe.

Can anyone tell me how long it takes to download a full frame image from the old ST-8 imager?

Thanks,

Joe.

Here are my first two images using a web cam.

Details:
10" LX200 @ F/10
Alt/Az
ToUcam

Regards,

Joe

Details:

10" LX200 @ F20
ToUcam Pro


Regards,

Joe

Thanks for reading.

I have a ST-2000XM and an LX200 GPS and would like to start using them both to take guided images. There is not much info in the manuals, so can you tell me if there is a website that can help?

Thanks for your time.

Joe.

Hello.

I am having trouble auto guiding using my LX200GPS and ST-2000XM. I think it is basically a lack of knowledge, as I cannot get the two to talk. Also, I’m using CCDOPS.

I am looking for some websites that will give me detailed information on using a similar combination and how to use CCDOPs too!

Thanks for your help!

Joe.

Thanks for reading.

Looking at Mars with my 10" LX200, it appears there is way too much light to focus. Moon filter and light pollution filters did nothing. Finally I masked about 75% of the scope and was able to get much better views. At 178x and 258X I could clearly see the polar cap in sharp detail, which was awesome, but as for the rest of the planet all I saw was a hint of surface details. Just an overall shade of red-ish brown with some not so easily detectable darker areas. Seeing seemed to be about a 6-7 overall.

Can you help me by telling me what filter(s) I should be using? Also, I plan to do some CCD imaging of the planet so any recommendations for this too is greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your help!

Joe.

Hello.

I am looking for input on the mount/tripod that I should buy. I plan to do wide field and planetary imaging using a Televue 101 and an ST-2000XM imager. I have a few that I am considering, but I though I would get some input before making a purchase.

Here are my thoughts:

Vixen GP
Orion Sky View Prow
Meade LXD55

My impressions are the GP would probably be the best, but let me know what you think, or if there are any others that you can suggest.

Thanks for your time!

Joe.

All,

Any thoughts on which mount I should buy? I plan to do imaging as the primary use. Let me know.

Thnaks!

All,

I have a 10" LX200GPS and wanted to piggy back my Televue 101 and an ST-2000XM CCD imager. Would all the extra weight pose a problem for the LX200? Thanks for your time!

Joe.