Preparation For Coming Venus Transit

[jamesling1000]

Hi All.......

Although there is still slightly more than a month for this coming June 6th Venus Transit.........

I have been preparing for this once in a life time major event, which our local university , NUS is staging it.......

And I did mentioned earlier, that when I am invited to participate this major event, with my big telescope, I asked the university lecturer which scope he prefer, my C14 or 8" ISTAR.....

The answer is obvious, the 8" ISTAR .........

And most of you who have seen my earlier posting, knew that the 1800mm long ISTAR telescope, when mounted onto the G11 losmandy , has great difficulty to do visual observing when pointing at any object straight up......, even I have increased it with 10" extension block, so as to allow my G11 for zero degree latitude setting....

As such in order to further increase the viewing height of the telescope, I go ahead with another one foot extension....with following dwg......

continue......


Regards

James Ling

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[mikey cee]

James way to go. I know when you go portable some things must be compromised. But you can see why piers are an absolute must in any other situation. Tripods are OK for little scopes and tripping in the dark! 8-)Mike

[jamesling1000]

Apr 24, 2012 9:23:35 GMT -5 mikey cee said:

James way to go. I know when you go portable some things must be compromised. But you can see why piers are an absolute must in any other situation. Tripods are OK for little scopes and tripping in the dark! 8-)Mike

Hi Mike....

Yes.... I keep compromised using the tripods......
But now is time to get the extension pier.......

Hi All....

Last week, started the machining ....
And following shows the alu tubing undergoing machining , in my friend's workshop...........

Continue....


REgards

James Ling

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[jamesling1000]

Hi All.....

And by end of last week, the alu tubing and another attachment already completed machining, except wtg for black anodizing.....

Regards

James Ling

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[jamesling1000]

Hi All.....

This is the next extension pier returned after black anodizing.....
And mounted onto the GM8 tripod.....

Regards

James Ling

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[jamesling1000]

Hi All.

This is another photo showing the Gm8 tripod mounted with the one foot extension pier......
And beside the GM8 tripod is the G11 tripod, which I will mount this extension pier onto for future star gazing activities, which I need to enlarge the tripod pier slightly bigger, as there is a slight interference fitting with the new extension pier I've fabricated....

Regards

James Ling

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[Watcher3]

Nice to have a friend with tools and talent. Best make sure you stay friends! ;D

[jamesling1000]

Apr 25, 2012 7:06:09 GMT -5 Watcher3 said:

Nice to have a friend with tools and talent. Best make sure you stay friends! ;D

Yes... I agreed.....And the best is to have a few, hahaha.....

And previously this astro machining workshop buddy I now asked to machine this extension pier for me has problem to machine the 8" sleeve to hold my 8" ISTAR tubing, I end up sending it to another country, where I worked there, and get another astro machining buddy to cut the ISTAR tube and machine the connecting sleeve....

Regards

James Ling