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We are now up to 15 paid TAAS members. Today I received payments from Moshe G, Chuck H, Alan S and Lee P. You can continue to send your $15 checks and money orders to me at the address below, but made out to TAAS or Thames Amateur Astronomical Society. Thanks.
George
George Blahun
P. O. Box 17
Quaker Hill, CT 06375
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Tonight 9pm local time, be there!
?
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Fw: [Special] Event: ASGH January 2025 Monthly Meeting with Zoom Link! - Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Please join us at this Wednesday's ASGH meeting for a special program with Erik Schmitt for his talk on?How Amateur Astronomers and Citizen Scientists can contribute to Exoplanet Research
Subject: Fw: [Special] Event: ASGH January 2025 Monthly Meeting with Zoom Link! - Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 7:30 PM ET?
Reminder: ASGH January 2025 Monthly Meeting with Zoom Link!
When:
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
7:30pm to 9:30pm
(UTC-05:00) America/New York
Where:
Online and in person at the Rocky Hill Community Center, Room 1C, 761Old Main St., Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Organizer:
John A. Sillasen
jasillasen@...
View Event
Description:
This month's meeting of the Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford will take place both online over Zoom and in the Rocky Hill Community Center - usually in the same room, 1C.? Our speaker is Erik Schmitt, an educator, outreach specialist and a former observatory director.? He is the treasurer of the Southern Vermont Astronomy group or SoVerA.
?
His talk and what it will cover is:
?
How Amateur Astronomers and Citizen Scientists can contribute to Exoplanet Research
?
Overview
This talk will cover how amateur astronomers and citizen scientists with small telescopes or even no telescope at all can meaningfully contribute to exoplanet research. The NASA Exoplanet Watch collaboration is now open to the general public and there is a need for more optics and eyeballs gathering and reducing data from transiting exoplanets.
You will learn how to identify upcoming exoplanet transits, some tips for acquiring images, how to prepare them for processing via Exoplanet Watch's EXOTIC software tool, and then how to upload the results to the AAVSO's database. We'll also review how these measurements contributed to the characterization of particular exoplanets!
?
Zoom Link:
?
?
If you trouble with the link, open a web browser tab and enter:
?
at the top right side of the page click on Join
Enter the Meeting ID
849 3230 2393 Click Join
Enter the Passcode
250083 Click Join Meeting
All participants are muted upon entry by default.? When you need to speak or ask a question when given the opportunity, click on the microphone in the lower left of your screen to enable the microphone so everyone may hear you.? Click it back off when you are finished so background noises (eating, TV, road traffic, people in the household having conversations with someone or gaming etc.? You know the drill!? Give the speaker the attention they deserve.?
?
Please use the Zoom chat to ask questions to all or be selective and only 'chat' with a specific member.
?
Thank you!
John Sillasen,?
ASGH Secretary
?_._,_
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Re: Link to my astrophotography article in the Courant
Excellent article, John. It would be great if we could get a reporter from one of the local newspapers to attend a public outreach event. The Day has sent reporters to the library for the last 2 solar eclipses.?
Amy
On Jan 10, 2025 at 10:43?PM -0500, GEORGE BLAHUN via groups.io <ks1u@...>, wrote:
John:
Thanks for the article link and for the TAAS plug. Well done as usual.
George
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Re: Link to my astrophotography article in the Courant
Great article John! Didn¡¯t know you were so inclined to write.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jan 10, 2025, at 2:54 PM, John Natale < jsnatale@...> wrote:
Hi all,
I recently put an article on astrophotography in the Hartford Courant to generate some interest in the hobby. My purpose was to try to encourage people (especially beginners in amateur astronomy) to give it a try. There is a link to TAAS in my article, so I am hoping other amateur astronomers will see it and be encouraged to join. It introduces the reader to CMOS camera sensor technology, and includes a few of my deep sky images.? ?
?
A link to my article is below. If you want to read it and don't already subscribe to the Courant, after you click on the link you will need to enter in your e-mail address (when prompted) to be able to see the entire article.?
?
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Re: Link to my astrophotography article in the Courant
John:
Thanks for the article link and for the TAAS plug. Well done as usual.
George
|
Link to my astrophotography article in the Courant
Hi all,
I recently put an article on astrophotography in the Hartford Courant to generate some interest in the hobby. My purpose was to try to encourage people (especially beginners in amateur astronomy) to give it a try. There is a link to TAAS in my article, so I am hoping other amateur astronomers will see it and be encouraged to join. It introduces the reader to CMOS camera sensor technology, and includes a few of my deep sky images.? ?
?
A link to my article is below. If you want to read it and don't already subscribe to the Courant, after you click on the link you will need to enter in your e-mail address (when prompted) to be able to see the entire article.?
?
https://www.courant.com/2024/12/26/astrophotography-taking-amateur-astronomy-to-the-next-level-in-ct/
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Hey all, if this happens on a Saturday afternoon and it¡¯s clear, you can do a spillover joint observing session at Trail 53 in Lyme. The observatory is just sitting there, so it can be a last minute decision. Of course you can also pack equipment in, or just look through the 14¡± and also borrow/setup my 8¡± and 5¡± gear. Ones on a wedge, point and shoot, other is on an EQ-G.
options!
--
?
?
Alan
Trail 53 Observatory, Lyme CT
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Thanks Mark!? I'm looking at all of them. Most with the one you selected is only 5 V or 12 V.
Like Amy, I am looking for 7 V and 12V. the ability to power electric vest or pants is really important this time of year.
I have the Kendrick Power Bank for the AM5 and a 72 Ah deep cycle (2 actually) to power the cameras and ASIAIR +
These would be specifically for the SolarQuest and AZ-GTI so size doesn't matter much.
If only I can find the cords that came with the Webetop.
I may go with your selection after all just for the cords!
Thanks!!!
John
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Re: Member News for January 2025
And from tonight's NSN Social Hour,? the websites came back up at 5 PM ET with a backlog of 11,000 messages and calendar events to be published.?
This is one of those 11,000 pieces of email. Consider us lucky as well as those who work at the JPL office in Pasedena where these servers reside.
Lots of good things to come too!? Thanks Deb!
John?
On Thu, Jan 9, 2025 at 9:59 PM, Deb Fennell via groups.io <debskifennell1617@...> wrote:
Despite the website being down due to the California wildfires, the Night Sky Network was able to publish their January 2025 Member News.?
See below.?
Begin forwarded message:
From: Night Sky Network <nightskynetwork@...>
Date: January 9, 2025 at 8:42:52?PM EST
To: debskifennell1617@...
Subject: Member News for January 2025
Reply-To: nightskyinfo@...
?Deb:
Club members and presenters at the community stargazing event, Noche Astronomica Escuela Rio Lajas Dorado, in Dorado, Puerto Rico. Credit:?Teresita Sosa/Asociaci¨®n de Observaci¨®n,
Difusi¨®n Astron¨®mica y Ciencias del Espacio
Our thoughts are with the club members, NSN teams, and everyone impacted by the wildfires. Thank you for your patience, as the website was down. The fires are very near our host facilities at JPL, which had to evacuate to keep
their teams safe. Rest assured: your club's information remains safe and backed up.
1. NSN Webinar Series:?Euclid: Mapping the Geometry of the Dark Universe
with Dr. Michael Seiffert?-?January 28, 2025
2. Community Updates: NSN Social Hour: TONIGHT, January 9; Add Your 2025 Events; 2024 NSN Pins and Certificates?
3. Partner News: Astrophotography with Your iPhone; NASA¡¯s Astrophoto Challenge: Interacting Galaxies ¨C Winter 2025
4. Featured Resources for January: What's Up for January 2025; Space Weather: the Sun-Earth Connection; Articles & News; Star Maps
1. NSN Webinar Series: Euclid: Mapping the Geometry of the Dark Universe
with Dr. Michael Seiffert; January 28, 2025
Join the NASA Night Sky Network on
Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 6:00 PM Pacific Time (9:00 PM Eastern) along with
Dr. Michael Seiffert where we¡¯ll discuss the Euclid space telescope and the search for dark energy and dark matter.
Zoom Registration Link:?
NSN Members can register for this webinar using the following link. Once registered, you will receive an automatic reminder shortly before the webinar begins.?The?webinar?registration
link will give you access to the live video?webinar and a backup call-in number and code, just in case your computer experiences connection issues.?
Share the YouTube Livestream:?
The talk will also be streamed live at the YouTube link and saved for future viewing. Please note: NSN member questions submitted via the Zoom Q&A feature will be prioritized over YouTube chat.
Further Information:?
Upcoming Webinars:
- February 25 -?
- March 11 - Details Soon!
- April 16 -?
- May 15 -?
2. NSN Social Hour: TONIGHT, January 9; Add Your 2025 Events; 2024 NSN Pins and Certificates
Join your fellow amateur astronomers during the NSN Social Hour!?Thursday, January 9, at 5:00 PM Pacific Time (8:00 PM Eastern).
Register here:?
?
Calendars Coming Your Way!
Congratulations to the clubs that added 10+ events to you club's calendar for 2025! We will start shipping out the NASA calendars shortly.
BONUS: you still have time to add your events!
Add 10 events to your calendar for 2025 by January 16, 2025, and as an added bonus,
you will be able to request a NASA scientist to speak with your club!?Unsure how to add recurring events, like club meetings? Learn how easy it is on the
page!
The form will be sent to those clubs by January 17, 2025.
NOTE: Coordinators that have already submitted 10+ events will not need to do anything else at this time.
If you haven't already, be sure to submit your order for the
2024 Outreach Award pin, and log in to find the .?Coordinators:?you should have received an email containing the pin order form on November 8, 2024.?
?
3. Partner News: Astrophotography with Your iPhone; NASA¡¯s Astrophoto Challenge: Interacting?Galaxies ¨C Winter
2025
Funded by NASA and developed by April Russell, in partnership with Antoine Ribaut and SnapInstruct, this innovative tool guides amateur astronomers of all skill levels through using your iPhone camera, connecting your camera
to your telescope, planning your sessions, and photographing celestial objects.?Whether you're capturing your first starry image or perfecting your technique for photographing galaxies, this tool is with you every step of the way!
Get started:?
Join the Winter 2025 NASA's Astrophoto Challenge, through February 28, 2025. Hosted by NASA's Universe of Learning, this annual challenge is an?exciting opportunity
to use real astronomical data and tools to create your own images of the Cartwheel and Andromeda galaxies. Use your images to explore how galaxy interactions with other galaxies shape their cosmic futures. Or just create images that you think are beautiful.
You can capture your own real-time telescope image using the MicroObservatory robotic telescope network. You can also work with an archival set of data files taken with multi-wavelength NASA and ESA space telescope missions (Chandra, GALEX, Hubble, Webb, and
WISE).
Participate here:
4. Featured Resources for January: What's Up for January 2025; Space Weather: the Sun-Earth Connection; Articles & News; Star Maps
Video:
Find observing tips in the latest?video for stargazers on NASA's What's Up page!
January 2025 will be an excellent opportunity to spot Mars and some of its details with a medium-sized telescope. Be sure to catch these three events this month.
Article:??
To maximize chances of successfully bringing the first Martian rock and sediment samples to Earth for the benefit of humanity, NASA announced a new approach to its Mars Sample
Return Program.
Activity:?
In case of inclement weather, you can use this presentation to show how space weather directly affects our way of life on Earth and show the Earth-Sun connection.
Star Maps:
The?Astronomical League?produces monthly night sky maps in both English and Spanish for Northern Hemisphere observers. We have downloadable copies of the guides available at the link below! Check out the featured event for the month:?Moon Occults Mars.
Questions or comments? Send a message to?nightskyinfo@...
UNSUBSCRIBE INFORMATION:
You are receiving this Email notification from the Night Sky Network as a member of your local astronomy club. To change your preferences for receiving the Night Sky Network Newsletter, log into the Night Sky Network website and select "My Profile".
https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/club/taas2242/roster/self/edit/
For assistance, please contact nightskyinfo@....
|
John,
That one would work fine. It has the 5521 plug outlets that plug into the AZGTi, ZWO AM3/5, and most other mounts. ?There are lots of those portable power packs out now, ranging in price from $75 to over a thousand dollars, depending on the battery capacity. (Watt hour or mA hour)
Jackery was the first good one out there. Ecoflow and Bluetti are also good names.?
Many have 12v car charger ports for older mounts, and charge from the car with the same cable.
Many have small lights, wireless phone charging, etc. I prefer the ones with a fold down handle. Makes for easier carrying, storage, and stacking. ?
Most are set up for solar charging, too, but the panels aren¡¯t cheap.?
The one Lee listed should last a night or three on the AZGTi. If you want to power your AM5, a cooled camera, an ASIAir, and a couple of dew straps, you¡¯ll need to spend ~$150 for one with more battery capacity 250-500 watt hours. ?The good news is with more battery capacity, comes more tripod hold-down-weight.
Alternately, there are small and cheaper Li-Ion battery packs from Talentcell, and others. ?Fine for the AZGTi, but not much more. Search Amazon for ¡° Talentcell rechargeable 12v 6000mAh Lithium Ion Battery pack¡±. ?I used one Velcroed to the side of the AZGTi.
Hope this helps.
Mark
?
?
?
?
|
Member News for January 2025
Despite the website being down due to the California wildfires, the Night Sky Network was able to publish their January 2025 Member News.?
See below.?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: Night Sky Network <nightskynetwork@...>
Date: January 9, 2025 at 8:42:52?PM EST
To: debskifennell1617@...
Subject: Member News for January 2025
Reply-To: nightskyinfo@...
?Deb:
Club members and presenters at the community stargazing event, Noche Astronomica Escuela Rio Lajas Dorado, in Dorado, Puerto Rico. Credit:?Teresita Sosa/Asociaci¨®n de Observaci¨®n,
Difusi¨®n Astron¨®mica y Ciencias del Espacio
Our thoughts are with the club members, NSN teams, and everyone impacted by the wildfires. Thank you for your patience, as the website was down. The fires are very near our host facilities at JPL, which had to evacuate to keep
their teams safe. Rest assured: your club's information remains safe and backed up.
1. NSN Webinar Series:?Euclid: Mapping the Geometry of the Dark Universe
with Dr. Michael Seiffert?-?January 28, 2025
2. Community Updates: NSN Social Hour: TONIGHT, January 9; Add Your 2025 Events; 2024 NSN Pins and Certificates?
3. Partner News: Astrophotography with Your iPhone; NASA¡¯s Astrophoto Challenge: Interacting Galaxies ¨C Winter 2025
4. Featured Resources for January: What's Up for January 2025; Space Weather: the Sun-Earth Connection; Articles & News; Star Maps
1. NSN Webinar Series: Euclid: Mapping the Geometry of the Dark Universe
with Dr. Michael Seiffert; January 28, 2025
Join the NASA Night Sky Network on
Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 6:00 PM Pacific Time (9:00 PM Eastern) along with
Dr. Michael Seiffert where we¡¯ll discuss the Euclid space telescope and the search for dark energy and dark matter.
Zoom Registration Link:?
NSN Members can register for this webinar using the following link. Once registered, you will receive an automatic reminder shortly before the webinar begins.?The?webinar?registration
link will give you access to the live video?webinar and a backup call-in number and code, just in case your computer experiences connection issues.?
Share the YouTube Livestream:?
The talk will also be streamed live at the YouTube link and saved for future viewing. Please note: NSN member questions submitted via the Zoom Q&A feature will be prioritized over YouTube chat.
Further Information:?
Upcoming Webinars:
- February 25 -?
- March 11 - Details Soon!
- April 16 -?
- May 15 -?
2. NSN Social Hour: TONIGHT, January 9; Add Your 2025 Events; 2024 NSN Pins and Certificates
Join your fellow amateur astronomers during the NSN Social Hour!?Thursday, January 9, at 5:00 PM Pacific Time (8:00 PM Eastern).
Register here:?
?
Calendars Coming Your Way!
Congratulations to the clubs that added 10+ events to you club's calendar for 2025! We will start shipping out the NASA calendars shortly.
BONUS: you still have time to add your events!
Add 10 events to your calendar for 2025 by January 16, 2025, and as an added bonus,
you will be able to request a NASA scientist to speak with your club!?Unsure how to add recurring events, like club meetings? Learn how easy it is on the
page!
The form will be sent to those clubs by January 17, 2025.
NOTE: Coordinators that have already submitted 10+ events will not need to do anything else at this time.
If you haven't already, be sure to submit your order for the
2024 Outreach Award pin, and log in to find the .?Coordinators:?you should have received an email containing the pin order form on November 8, 2024.?
?
3. Partner News: Astrophotography with Your iPhone; NASA¡¯s Astrophoto Challenge: Interacting?Galaxies ¨C Winter
2025
Funded by NASA and developed by April Russell, in partnership with Antoine Ribaut and SnapInstruct, this innovative tool guides amateur astronomers of all skill levels through using your iPhone camera, connecting your camera
to your telescope, planning your sessions, and photographing celestial objects.?Whether you're capturing your first starry image or perfecting your technique for photographing galaxies, this tool is with you every step of the way!
Get started:?
Join the Winter 2025 NASA's Astrophoto Challenge, through February 28, 2025. Hosted by NASA's Universe of Learning, this annual challenge is an?exciting opportunity
to use real astronomical data and tools to create your own images of the Cartwheel and Andromeda galaxies. Use your images to explore how galaxy interactions with other galaxies shape their cosmic futures. Or just create images that you think are beautiful.
You can capture your own real-time telescope image using the MicroObservatory robotic telescope network. You can also work with an archival set of data files taken with multi-wavelength NASA and ESA space telescope missions (Chandra, GALEX, Hubble, Webb, and
WISE).
Participate here:
4. Featured Resources for January: What's Up for January 2025; Space Weather: the Sun-Earth Connection; Articles & News; Star Maps
Video:
Find observing tips in the latest?video for stargazers on NASA's What's Up page!
January 2025 will be an excellent opportunity to spot Mars and some of its details with a medium-sized telescope. Be sure to catch these three events this month.
Article:??
To maximize chances of successfully bringing the first Martian rock and sediment samples to Earth for the benefit of humanity, NASA announced a new approach to its Mars Sample
Return Program.
Activity:?
In case of inclement weather, you can use this presentation to show how space weather directly affects our way of life on Earth and show the Earth-Sun connection.
Star Maps:
The?Astronomical League?produces monthly night sky maps in both English and Spanish for Northern Hemisphere observers. We have downloadable copies of the guides available at the link below! Check out the featured event for the month:?Moon Occults Mars.
Questions or comments? Send a message to?nightskyinfo@...
UNSUBSCRIBE INFORMATION:
You are receiving this Email notification from the Night Sky Network as a member of your local astronomy club. To change your preferences for receiving the Night Sky Network Newsletter, log into the Night Sky Network website and select "My Profile".
https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/club/taas2242/roster/self/edit/
For assistance, please contact nightskyinfo@....
|
I have one of those 200 wh but can't find the charger for it so it sits in a box. Plus, I would need a 12v to the proper plug for the mount.
Any suggestions or is it one of those make your own endeavors.?
Come to think of it, I may have one that is from my AstroTrac days.
Remember those? I had one of the 1st one in the US with the RA track adjustment AND the very actual 1st AstroTrac Wedge. All the users on Yahoo Groups back then wanted photos from all angles of it.?
I had popularity for 20, okay 5 minutes until everyone got theirs in.. ;)?
Thanks Lee. Nice suggestion.?
On Thu, Jan 9, 2025 at 4:08 PM, Lee P. via groups.io <lee.polikoff@...> wrote: Get something like this: On Jan 9, 2025, at 4:01 PM, John A. Sillasen via groups.io <jasillasen@...> wrote:
Got my JJC Tripod Stone bag sling today as promised by prime.? Got lots of AC power supply options that I also use for my AM5 and ASIAIR Plus. So, what I'd really like to know is what size 12V battery you use and perhaps even the model so I have options other than a huge deep cycle battery. I'd like to use one with my SolarQuest as well as the AZ-GTI.? AA batteries especially using 8 of them, gets old really fast. Thanks Mark, oh Obi Wan! John Sillasen On Wed, Jan 8, 2025 at 11:15 AM, John A. Sillasen via groups.io <jasillasen@...> wrote: PS - ordered the sling.? With Prime it's actually expected to arrive tomorrow.?
John On Wed, Jan 8, 2025 at 11:13 AM, John A. Sillasen via groups.io <jasillasen@...> wrote: Mark, do you have a battery suggestion that plugs into either the AZ-GTI or the SolarQuest?
Skywatcher support suggested 12v 1-2 Ah would be sufficient (if that is what I recall.? I will have to check. Basically, I pulled the specs from the manual and a 110 VAC to 12VDC plug - I think. I really need to start keeping better notes!).
I only asked because with metal gears, it doesn't take much power to track. Will good balance, I was wondering if it could handle more.
Glad to know your experience matches that of support.? I was looking at AC - DC adapters. Now, more practical applications suggest a battery is the more practical way to go.
Thanks. Appreciate what you suggest for batteries.? John On Tue, Jan 7, 2025 at 11:38 AM, Mark Strollo via groups.io <mark@...> wrote: Lee, Thanks for the troubleshooting and putting together all the pieces of this puzzle. It came together great.?
John, The AZGTi weight capacity is limited by the strength of the motors and gearing. The counterweight serves to balance the load on the tripod and keep it from tipping over when the wind gusts. Much like the newer strain gage mounts. We should consider hanging a weight under the tripod head or a spreader sling from the legs like this.
<e63634c0-e7e2-43fe-ab91-1b57f518d3c6_image.png>
JJC Tripod Weight Stone Bag,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C8MZJPZ7?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I have one on my tripod to hold the battery. It has a loop to hang a weight from the bottom of the sling. Cheap (~$15) scope insurance.?
Mark
On Sun, Jan 5, 2025 at 7:35 PM, John A. Sillasen via groups.io < jasillasen@...> wrote: Makes sense and well within the AZ-GTI 11 lbs weight limit.?
I have the EQ mod and counterweight system? - Marks old AZ-GTI.? I asked Sky-Watcher support if there would be an increase in capacity with the EQ and counterweight and they said no.
John Sillasen?
On Sun, Jan 5, 2025 at 7:32 PM, Lee P. via groups.io
<lee.polikoff@...> wrote:
No idea, but if the OTA weighs what the specs say (6 lbs), then I would say around 7.5 ills.
On Jan 5, 2025, at 7:23 PM, John A. Sillasen via
<
jasillasen@...> wrote:
Nice job, Lee.? Out of curiosity,? how much does the slightly modified club scope now weigh with dovetail?
John Sillasen?
<e63634c0-e7e2-43fe-ab91-1b57f518d3c6_image.png>
|
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jan 9, 2025, at 4:01 PM, John A. Sillasen via groups.io <jasillasen@...> wrote:
Got my JJC Tripod Stone bag sling today as promised by prime.? Got lots of AC power supply options that I also use for my AM5 and ASIAIR Plus. So, what I'd really like to know is what size 12V battery you use and perhaps even the model so I have options other than a huge deep cycle battery. I'd like to use one with my SolarQuest as well as the AZ-GTI.? AA batteries especially using 8 of them, gets old really fast. Thanks Mark, oh Obi Wan! John Sillasen On Wed, Jan 8, 2025 at 11:15 AM, John A. Sillasen via groups.io <jasillasen@...> wrote: PS - ordered the sling.? With Prime it's actually expected to arrive tomorrow.?
John On Wed, Jan 8, 2025 at 11:13 AM, John A. Sillasen via groups.io <jasillasen@...> wrote: Mark, do you have a battery suggestion that plugs into either the AZ-GTI or the SolarQuest?
Skywatcher support suggested 12v 1-2 Ah would be sufficient (if that is what I recall.? I will have to check. Basically, I pulled the specs from the manual and a 110 VAC to 12VDC plug - I think. I really need to start keeping better notes!).
I only asked because with metal gears, it doesn't take much power to track. Will good balance, I was wondering if it could handle more.
Glad to know your experience matches that of support.? I was looking at AC - DC adapters. Now, more practical applications suggest a battery is the more practical way to go.
Thanks. Appreciate what you suggest for batteries.? John On Tue, Jan 7, 2025 at 11:38 AM, Mark Strollo via groups.io <mark@...> wrote: Lee, Thanks for the troubleshooting and putting together all the pieces of this puzzle. It came together great.?
John, The AZGTi weight capacity is limited by the strength of the motors and gearing. The counterweight serves to balance the load on the tripod and keep it from tipping over when the wind gusts. Much like the newer strain gage mounts. We should consider hanging a weight under the tripod head or a spreader sling from the legs like this.
<e63634c0-e7e2-43fe-ab91-1b57f518d3c6_image.png>
JJC Tripod Weight Stone Bag,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C8MZJPZ7?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I have one on my tripod to hold the battery. It has a loop to hang a weight from the bottom of the sling. Cheap (~$15) scope insurance.?
Mark
On Sun, Jan 5, 2025 at 7:35 PM, John A. Sillasen via groups.io < jasillasen@...> wrote: Makes sense and well within the AZ-GTI 11 lbs weight limit.?
I have the EQ mod and counterweight system? - Marks old AZ-GTI.? I asked Sky-Watcher support if there would be an increase in capacity with the EQ and counterweight and they said no.
John Sillasen?
On Sun, Jan 5, 2025 at 7:32 PM, Lee P. via groups.io
<lee.polikoff@...> wrote:
No idea, but if the OTA weighs what the specs say (6 lbs), then I would say around 7.5 ills.
On Jan 5, 2025, at 7:23 PM, John A. Sillasen via
<
jasillasen@...> wrote:
Nice job, Lee.? Out of curiosity,? how much does the slightly modified club scope now weigh with dovetail?
John Sillasen?
<e63634c0-e7e2-43fe-ab91-1b57f518d3c6_image.png>
|
Got my JJC Tripod Stone bag sling today as promised by prime.? Got lots of AC power supply options that I also use for my AM5 and ASIAIR Plus. So, what I'd really like to know is what size 12V battery you use and perhaps even the model so I have options other than a huge deep cycle battery. I'd like to use one with my SolarQuest as well as the AZ-GTI.? AA batteries especially using 8 of them, gets old really fast. Thanks Mark, oh Obi Wan! John Sillasen
On Wed, Jan 8, 2025 at 11:15 AM, John A. Sillasen via groups.io <jasillasen@...> wrote: PS - ordered the sling.? With Prime it's actually expected to arrive tomorrow.?
John On Wed, Jan 8, 2025 at 11:13 AM, John A. Sillasen via groups.io <jasillasen@...> wrote: Mark, do you have a battery suggestion that plugs into either the AZ-GTI or the SolarQuest?
Skywatcher support suggested 12v 1-2 Ah would be sufficient (if that is what I recall.? I will have to check. Basically, I pulled the specs from the manual and a 110 VAC to 12VDC plug - I think. I really need to start keeping better notes!).
I only asked because with metal gears, it doesn't take much power to track. Will good balance, I was wondering if it could handle more.
Glad to know your experience matches that of support.? I was looking at AC - DC adapters. Now, more practical applications suggest a battery is the more practical way to go.
Thanks. Appreciate what you suggest for batteries.? John On Tue, Jan 7, 2025 at 11:38 AM, Mark Strollo via groups.io <mark@...> wrote: Lee, Thanks for the troubleshooting and putting together all the pieces of this puzzle. It came together great.?
John, The AZGTi weight capacity is limited by the strength of the motors and gearing. The counterweight serves to balance the load on the tripod and keep it from tipping over when the wind gusts. Much like the newer strain gage mounts. We should consider hanging a weight under the tripod head or a spreader sling from the legs like this.
JJC Tripod Weight Stone Bag,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C8MZJPZ7?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I have one on my tripod to hold the battery. It has a loop to hang a weight from the bottom of the sling. Cheap (~$15) scope insurance.?
Mark
On Sun, Jan 5, 2025 at 7:35 PM, John A. Sillasen via groups.io < jasillasen@...> wrote: Makes sense and well within the AZ-GTI 11 lbs weight limit.?
I have the EQ mod and counterweight system? - Marks old AZ-GTI.? I asked Sky-Watcher support if there would be an increase in capacity with the EQ and counterweight and they said no.
John Sillasen?
On Sun, Jan 5, 2025 at 7:32 PM, Lee P. via groups.io
<lee.polikoff@...> wrote:
No idea, but if the OTA weighs what the specs say (6 lbs), then I would say around 7.5 ills.
On Jan 5, 2025, at 7:23 PM, John A. Sillasen via
<
jasillasen@...> wrote:
Nice job, Lee.? Out of curiosity,? how much does the slightly modified club scope now weigh with dovetail?
John Sillasen?
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If I am not traveling, I am in!
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-------- Original message -------- From: "Jeffrey Dunn via groups.io" <jeffreyj.dunn@...> Date: 1/8/25 23:02 (GMT-05:00) Subject: Re: [TAASCT] TAAS and SAS
Hi all,
The dates are not firm, nor the location at this early point but wanted to start planning something social and fun.
My gut tells me that a Saturday afternoon would be fairly light this time of year, at least compared to a Friday evening.?
I was thinking about the new Thimble Island Brew Pub in Old Saybrook as it looks to be spacious.
Open to other suggestions as well and will present it to the SAS membership tomorrow evening.
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Re: Happy holidays to you
Thanks for the info!??I¡¯ll send pics and ask.?
Amy
On Jan 8, 2025 at 10:12?PM -0500, John A. Sillasen via groups.io <jasillasen@...>, wrote:
I had my old non-digital heat controller and they offered to swap it out with a plug change.?
I imagine you asked, but if not, they may make a plug that will retrofit the old plug to fit the new battery.?
The old Gerbing would do so.
John
On Wed, Jan 8, 2025 at 5:09 PM, Amy S (Astrodog) via groups.io
<glpmacgeek@...> wrote:
7 but it¡¯s not the same type that they use now.?
Amy
On Jan 8, 2025 at 11:31?AM -0500, John A. Sillasen via groups.io <jasillasen@...>, wrote:
Amy is your vest a 7 V or 12 V system?
Gerbing has spare batteries for sale on their website. Both 7 and 12 V are available.
Like you, I have been using Gerbing heated products for years. I had the whole 12 V kit, gloves or liners, long sleeve shirt and pants (OH boy do they not fit any more!).? I have had them so long they now have digital controls for heat regulation. Used to wear them when I rode motorcycles.? Then, I took a big deep cycle marine battery up to Arunah Hill for a work day in the snow. At night 3 of us were with our scopes and I had to drag that BA deep cycle battery over to the other scopes for a look.
Last time I did that!? Now they offer a 9000 Mah 12VDC battery and a decent number of 7V batteries.?
I like the heated socks but without the pants it's hard to connect. I opted for the 4 AA electric socks. They work great in my Sorel boots.? I have the 3V shoe or boot liners and really don't recommend them. The batteries come apart easily and then won't charge..AA batteries are OK but a full suit with interconnects is much better.?
John
On Tue, Dec 24, 2024 at 9:41 AM, Amy S (Astrodog) via groups.io
<glpmacgeek@...> wrote:
Thanks, George. ?I have some Gerbing heated gloves waiting for me when I get home from Maine. ?They may be too bulky for doing astronomy and photography in the cold but I thought it would be worth a try. ?If they¡¯re too bulky, I¡¯ll exchange them for the heated glove liners. ?I¡¯ve had one of their heated vests for a long time, and I often wear it when doing astronomy in colder weather. ?The battery doesn¡¯t hold a charge very well anymore and of course, it¡¯s no longer available.
------ Original Message ------
From "GEORGE BLAHUN via groups.io" < ks1u@...> Date 12/24/2024 9:14:01?AM
Subject Re: [TAASCT] Happy holidays to you
Thanks, Amy. It¡¯s good to know your health issues are on the upswing and you¡¯ll be able to get out more this year. I¡¯m with you on the warmer weather wishes.
?
George
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Night Sky Network Website is Offline
Deb, Not trying to step on your work here but don't know if you see the NSN Coordinator Facebook page.
Currently there is no ETA for restoration.?
John Sillasen?
Hi all. The Night Sky Network website is offline as of January 8, 2025, 10:15 AM Pacific, as our teams at Jet Propulsion Laboratory have been impacted by the Southern California fires. Currently, there is no ETA for when operations will resume.?
We appreciate your patience during this time, and we hope you are staying safe if you are in the SoCal area. -KT
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Hi all,
The dates are not firm, nor the location at this early point but wanted to start planning something social and fun.
My gut tells me that a Saturday afternoon would be fairly light this time of year, at least compared to a Friday evening.?
I was thinking about the new Thimble Island Brew Pub in Old Saybrook as it looks to be spacious.
Open to other suggestions as well and will present it to the SAS membership tomorrow evening.
|
Jay Drew
Lee P.
Alan Sheiness
Mark Strollo
Deb Fennell