New Rig

Here is the new Rig and a couple quick pics taken with it. Wish this year of shit weather would give up so I can actually get to use this gear.

8" Bintel F5 Newtonian with 2" Crayford Focuser, Baader Multi Purpose Coma Corrector on a Skywatcher EQ6 Pro mount. Will setup the off axis guiding system soon.

LX80

The LX80 mount looks like a very versatile and adaptable mount and selling here in OZ for only around a $1,000 I can see them being very popular.

I want one!

Moon shot

Wide basic moon shot from last night.

Geraldton Planitarium/observatory

With the ASKAP and the SKA project putting the Midwest on the international astronomical map we need more stuff at the front door.

Geraldton being that front door, there is a urgent call for a place to not only be the first port of call for Radio astronomy but for astronomy in general.

There needs to be a place that vistors, schools, the general public can go that explains, inspires, educates and entertains what radio and general astronomy is about, where it has come from, what it has done and where it is going.

We always need more children to take up the call of science and to have a place that inspires a career in science is a priceless investment in our future.

This place needs to inspire and educate people of all ages and walk of life to the wonders of the cosmos around us for the universe is not just something 'out there' it's the place in which we not only come from but where we live. 

 

Fire da Lazer!

Couple shots of Laser used for alignment.

Trolly for Meade Scope.

Have made a trolley for the Meade LX90 on the Millburn wedge so as I can now easily move it around when at home. The trolley/platform is a nice and cheap easy made with a bit of MDF and some pine for structural support. I added some fairly decent sized lockable caster wheels and some pine for the edges to hold the tripod with or with out the Meade Shock pads.

Nice and cheap bit of kit and now I don't have to strain and struggle when wanting to the move the whole kit. Allows leaving everything all setup so just need to move and switch on power.

Welcome to the Geraldton Astronomy Blog