[AZ-Observing] New Mexico and big scope problems

  • From: stevecoe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • To: SMTP <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Tue, 16 Apr 2013 23:44:04 -0600

Howdy all;

I am in New Mexico, about 30 miles north of Deming, visiting Tom and 
Jeannie Clark.  Tom has received the 42 inch f/4 mirror from Mike 
Lockwood (a very pleasent fellow) and we have installed it in the 
telescope.  There are two problems.  Notice I did not say "challenges".

First, the star images at high power (9mm eyepiece) are triangular.  We 
are going to try and get a better collimation completed and see if that 
effects the problem.

Second, the dome slot cover sticks.  We have had to use a long pole to 
get it to move twice and the good news is that has worked.  Tom has 
ordered some new wheels that Jack Newton used on his dome and he 
recommended them to Tom.  They should arrive early next week and we can 
install them then.

We have been having the same problems you folks have and that is 
WEATHER...so much of it.  It has been windy and cloudy and I have gotten 
far too little observing done.  But, that has been the truth for the 
past 18 months or so.

I do have one other task to take on in Tom's shop and that is sand and 
paint the old eyepiece box.  Many years ago when I had a Shopsmith we 
made several eyepiece boxes out of half inch plywood and they have 
lasted at least 20 years.  It is time for some maintenence.

As I told Joe Goss, a big thank you to all who sent me birthday 
greetings.  Somehow, I made it to 64.  I could have gotten you tall odds 
on that earlier in my life.  Now, I am officially too old to die 
young;-)

My plan is to stay here through New Moon in May and then make my way to 
Fredericksen's Meadow for June New Moon.  I hope to see you there.

Clear skies to us all;
Steve Coe
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