VC200L Setup

I finally got all the parts I need for my VC200L high resolution imaging rig. The tube us equatorially mounted using R200SS rings (232mm ID) and a Losmandy style plate.

The guidescope is a Borg 60ED refractor with front focuser option. This is mounted rigidly to the Vixen rings using the new Borg mini rings and an aluminium plate. It time I will replace this with another Losmandy plate so that I can break the rig down without using a hex key and move the guidescope to my other imaging scopes.

An initial tests last night showed no flexure or mis-tracking evident in 500s sub exposures with the VC200L operating at ~f/18.

The Borg 60ED may seem a bit over the top, but I will also use it as a 'grab and go' scope. the optics are excellent and the Borg system is very adaptable, if somewhat confusing!

IC1396 Widefield complex

IC1396 in Cepheus

Part of the Pelican

My first Tasco

Well I picked this up last Weekend while browsing round Maplins (like you do). It had been reduced to £9.99 and was looking unloved in its shabby box, so I thought I'd rescue it.

It is actually quite well put together, with its tough plastic ball mount and stand. The mirror is 76mm diameter. It comes with an erecting eyepiece to give a sensible magnification of 30x. I was quite surprised to see that it was collimatable, which was just as well as it looked a bit 'off'.

In the week it was clear so I had a chance to star test it. Once I had collimated the secondary I turned the scope on Venus. I was amazed that I could actually discern Venus' phase with this little scope. Even my son was impressed. In fact I think he has eye on this. I think it would make quite a good little starter scope and for travelling. I then turned the scope towards Saturn and was impressed that it clearly resolved the rings, though it was very small in the eyepiece.

As it got darker I was a little disappointed with the light grasp of the scope, though I think this down to the eyepiece rather than the main optics. I may experiment with more conventional eyepieces.

All in all this is a capable little scope, which would make a nice present for a child (or a big kid) for both solar system and daytime use.

The old Cosmicshed Observatory

Now gone to pastures new, but still fondly remembered.

Here is the roll-back observatory that gives this site its name. I has now been replaced by a new dome observatory.

I first built the decking from leftover materials from the obligatory garden deck. This gives a reasonably steady platform for the shed to roll on and gives some isolation from the concrete hard-standing.

The shed is to a standard tongue and grooved board over timber frame design. I included a layer of plywood between the frame and boards for additional rigidity and weather protection. The external grade chipboard roof is covered by roofing felt. The door is made from T&G floorboards. As the shed has no floor, I included corner bracing at the base.

The shed rolls back on four three inch fixed casters from a local DIY store. They run fairly true without the need for grooves, which I thought could be a trip hazard.

The shed is remarkably sturdy. I had planned to provide some way to secure it to the deck when not in use, but it has stood up to strong winds this Autumn.

With the shed rolled back there is room for a PC etc between it and the pier. My observing chair fits snuggly in the shed giving me a little protection from the elements.

Originally designed for a fork mounted LX200, it eventually housed an Aim Controls EQ2 German Mount - It just fitted, though not with any equipment in place.

I had some problems with rainwater running under the shed from behind. I sorted this by giving the deck a slight front to back tilt. I added the shelf into the floor of the shed to store the 12V power supply and dew shield. Out of shot is a thermostatic frost heater (B&Q 500W) which runs at its lowest setting throughout the winter.

With the shed rolled forwards the scope is well protected and the overall impression is not too intrusive. It certainly doesn't look much like an observatory.

I added a hook to hold the door back when the shed is being rolled back. There are also a couple of galvanized handles at the rear of the shed to make pulling it back easier.

I used some spare roofing felt to act as draught excluder at each side of the door and at the sides of the shed. In use the shed keeps doesn't hold the damp, even though I do get a little dew and rainwater running along the groves in the decking boards. I this becomes a problem I will probably jack up the South end of the deck to make the water run away from the shed.

Power is supplied to the shed from the RCD protected socket you can see on the wall of the garage.

The hasp and padlock provide basic security and also help improve the structure's rigidity.