When we built our Park's observatory using an old 16' dome with an 8" F13 achromat on an AP1200, we got into an analysis paralysis about biasing the pier position. Eventually, we said screw it and put

Nice post Chip and nice bit of introspection and questioning Jim and I hope you stay simply to challenge the group from time to time...but also I find your postings quite valuable. Jeff

Wow, great planetary images! Just a few questions: 1. Where do you live? 2. What time do you go to work and return? 3. Can a van back up to your door? 4. And, importantly, do you have any large dogs?

Brian, being a long time AP customer dating back to the 80's, I have photos of some of the hardware from back then as well as a few film shots taken. Are you interested in stuff of that vintage? Jeff

Oh my William, what a grand set up your father-in-law had. What ever became of it? Jeff

Very nice Jim! Jeff

👌👍 Major cool. As I see it so often, is there any cure for the wire infestations? 🤔

👍👌

Ok, my turn. A line up of AP suspects, my venerable 1200 slinging my TEC 200ED around (a GREAT combination) and my venerable AP400 QMD supporting my TEC 140ED (another GREAT combination). All visual,

About 6-7 years ago, while swapping out my 1100 mount for a nice 1200, when I went to separate the Dec from the RA, hundreds of dead Asian Lady and Stink bugs poured out of the two assemblies. The mou

Nice work Roland. I noticed something in the image I've never noticed before in images of M27, and that's what seems to be a distinct jet coming from the central star at~4 o'clock , if that's indeed t

My goodness, that's nice!

" I have found that putting the Dec axis upside down can help with threading the shaft on. That way you are not working against gravity and it is easier to see that the shaft is going in straight." Gr

#Mach2GTO

Ah, then never mind Todd. But if you ever do get an APM/Wirth MN86 you'll be all set. 😁 Jeff

That looks like an APM/Wirth MN86. If it is, and if I may suggest, try a couple of layers of Reflectix on the OTA exterior. IME that will calm the interior a lot and as the meniscus is running warmer

Beautiful Roland!

In the vein of having fun with old equipment, here is a mix of old and new. My "old" AP 178 pre-ED Starfire on an 1100 mount. A very effective combination and the "old" 178 F9 still packs a young visu

"P.S. I still love Mak-Newts and I think they are about as perfect an optical system that exists for visual only.* And a nice size Mak-Cass for imaging only. But ne'er the twin shall meet to produce b

"*ask me why" I'll bite. Why? Jeff

What Mike says but when I look closely at some of the dimmer stars, they look like very tight double stars to me. Odd. Keep us posted. Jeff