Re: Help needed to remove primary and secondary from the CC observatory 20inch RC
Hi guys. I¡¯m new to the group and astronomy in general. Haven¡¯t had a chance to partake in any endeavors yet. Hope to soon. However, my son owns a car detailing shop in Old Saybrook, right on Rt. 1 as you come off 95 south. He has a garage that he washes cars in using a professional power washer (very adjustable) that is supplied with hot and cold water. The garage drains to a floor drain. He has agreed to help clean the mirror. He is a professional, quite adept at cleaning and caring for cars worth well over $100k. However, he has no problem just assisting if someone else feels more comfortable being in charge. His name is Jeremy Cimmino and his shop is Saybrook Auto Salon on the web and Facebook. His contact info can be found there. If interested, let me know or you can contact him directly.
Bob C.
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On Feb 4, 2025, at 9:10?AM, GEORGE BLAHUN <ks1u@...> wrote:
?Jay:
That sounds fine to me. Thanks very much. If Leslie is OK with keeping the mirrors at Conn for a few weeks I can come up to help get them into your vehicle when you¡¯re ready. If there is no storage at Conn I¡¯ll keep them here until you¡¯re available.
George
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Re: Help needed to remove primary and secondary from the CC observatory 20inch RC
Jay:
That sounds fine to me. Thanks very much. If Leslie is OK with keeping the mirrors at Conn for a few weeks I can come up to help get them into your vehicle when you¡¯re ready. If there is no storage at Conn I¡¯ll keep them here until you¡¯re available.
George
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Re: Help needed to remove primary and secondary from the CC observatory 20inch RC
Oops, ¡°later in the month.¡±
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Re: Help needed to remove primary and secondary from the CC observatory 20inch RC
George, I can also pick up the mirror set at Conn College later in the week if that¡¯s easier. Cleaning is one of my specialties, I¡¯ll ensure the optics are pristine and stored properly, like fine wine. Jay
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Re: Help needed to remove primary and secondary from the CC observatory 20inch RC
Hello Leslie,
The weekend time slots work for me as of now.? The week day time slots would be a day of decision to help out.
Thanks
Brian
On Monday, February 3, 2025 at 06:28:35 PM EST, GEORGE BLAHUN <ks1u@...> wrote:
Leslie:
? ? Part 2, I emailed Jay and he agreed to store the mirror since he is likely, due to his connection with Stelafane, to be able to find a new owner.? In the mean time, I can keep it here in my garage, but I don¡¯t have access to a large enough sink or water source to clean the mirror.? Perhaps it¡¯s best just to cover it and not attempt to clean it until we can get it to a? suitable area?? Unless there is some mold, that dust is probably safer to leave untouched.
George
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Re: Help needed to remove primary and secondary from the CC observatory 20inch RC
Leslie:
Part 2, I emailed Jay and he agreed to store the mirror since he is likely, due to his connection with Stelafane, to be able to find a new owner. In the mean time, I can keep it here in my garage, but I don¡¯t have access to a large enough sink or water source to clean the mirror. Perhaps it¡¯s best just to cover it and not attempt to clean it until we can get it to a suitable area? Unless there is some mold, that dust is probably safer to leave untouched.
George
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Re: Help needed to remove primary and secondary from the CC observatory 20inch RC
Leslie:
2-10 is fine with me.
George
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Re: Help needed to remove primary and secondary from the CC observatory 20inch RC
I know!!! I'm sorry we will not see you there either?Jay, if we do the mirror removals next week. But, CT weather may have something to say about this. So who knows when we may actually?get to take the mirrors out. But the crane lift of the mount and OTA will be happening later in the month if not early March. I will keep you all apprised of the scheduled date for that next step once the College arranges it - we can all watch the removal of the old scope from the Fanning courtyard.
I'll share pics. Promise.
LB
Sounds like a great plan! Sorry I¡¯ll miss the work party next week. Have fun, Jay
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Re: Help needed to remove primary and secondary from the CC observatory 20inch RC
Sounds like a great plan! Sorry I¡¯ll miss the work party next week. Have fun, Jay
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Re: Help needed to remove primary and secondary from the CC observatory 20inch RC
Hi All,
Thank you to all of you who responded?so quickly.? Several of you can't help until later in the month and several can't help except on weekends. Weekends are a problem for the new astronomer at Conn, Alex Gianninas, who should be present given that he is the current official caretaker of the observatory. Doing the mirror removal later in the month is sort of an issue in that the College is pushing to schedule the riggers to come in and crane lift the mount and OTA out of the dome then. So, I am thinking we should schedule the mirror removal for next Monday, 2/10. Long-range forecasts are?calling for mostly sunny skies on 2/10 with light to moderate winds of 10-15mph and a high temp of 36F. That means conditions in the dome won't be miserable while? we are removing the mirrors. If Monday's forecast morphs into a snow squall, freezing rain or a blizzard, we will reschedule?to a date more suitable for driving and dome work. Back up date might?be Tuesday, 2/11 - early forecasts look OK,? or Weds, 2/12, if the weather conditions for that date improve?and depending on the timing of the snow arrival.?
Shall we meet in the Olin Observatory between 10:30 and 11am? I can show folks who haven't done this work?before what we will be doing, and I will take lunch orders before?11 am. Before this weekend, I will send all of you, who offered to help, the sections of the 20-inch's?user manual that deal with removing the primary and the secondary?mirrors on this scope. I have the needed screws and nuts to drop the primary, I will have a cart / table to place under the primary cell to hold the cell and the mirror as well as the puller and the crate for the primary.?
John Sillasen, you asked what?tools might be needed. I think we are set for tools to remove both mirrors. What we may need is supplies to do a quick cleaning of the primary before it is boxed. A good cleaning of the primary will require taking it to a location with water and ideally a large sink.?
The primary will have 15 years worth of dust and other?fun stuff on it. In the past, I used a small brush just for this purpose, and collodion to gently remove large grains and bug bits. What do all of you think is the best way to remove dust so as not to further damage the primary??
More shortly,
Leslie
On Sun, Feb 2, 2025 at 5:40?PM Leslie Brown < lfbro@...> wrote: Hi All,
I think we are ready to remove the primary mirror cell, the primary and secondary mirror?from the Olin Observatory 20-inch telescope. If you are interested in assisting, please let me know dates that you are available in February. I think we will need between 2 and 4 assistants.?
George, you have done this with me before so it would be great if you can be there.? And, once these mirrors are pulled, who is planning to take them? I will need to arrange to get the mirrors from the college to whomever is this lucky person - mirror delivery doesn't need to happen on the same day?that we pull the mirrors?off the tube.?
Days that I have open for this project are: Monday 2/10 or 2/24,?? Wednesdays 2/5, 2/19? or 2/26 Fridays: 2/7, 2/21, 2/28 - on Fridays after 11 am. Sundays: 2/9, 2/22,? or 3/2
We will be providing lunch or dinner from either Mr. G's or Two Wives to thank volunteers for their? help with this. George, I will get you lunch from Fiddleheads :D If you are interested in helping save the old 20-inch mirrors, please contact me at lfbro at conncoll dot edu.?
Thanks! Leslie Leslie F. Brown, Ph.D. Emeriti - Physics, Astronomy & Geophysics
Connecticut College New London, CT USA
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Re: Help needed to remove primary and secondary from the CC observatory 20inch RC
Hi Leslie,
Glad that we are moving forward on removing the cell and primary from the 20 inch, so the Planewave can move in to its new home.
Unfortunately, Tuesdays are our days in CT during February due to the ski races and Deb¡¯s work schedule. Post the date you pick and unless it¡¯s a Wednesday, I¡¯ll try and make it down there.?
Mark
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Re: Help needed to remove primary and secondary from the CC observatory 20inch RC
I¡¯d very much like to help, and have room for glass storage as well. We¡¯re out of town next week and 2/22, otherwise I¡¯m in. Jay
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Re: Help needed to remove primary and secondary from the CC observatory 20inch RC
I don't know how you did it but I am available on all of those days except 2/22. I'd prefer not to do 2/19 as I need to be back for ASGH and don't want to be wiped out from travel. After 11 am works best for me. Any tools needed? John
On Sun, Feb 2, 2025 at 6:25 PM, Lee P. via groups.io <lee.polikoff@...> wrote: If it is on a weekend I can assist (specially for a free dinner :) ) On Feb 2, 2025, at 5:40 PM, Leslie Brown via < lfbro@...> wrote:
Hi All,
I think we are ready to remove the primary mirror cell, the primary and secondary mirror?from the Olin Observatory 20-inch telescope. If you are interested in assisting, please let me know dates that you are available in February. I think we will need between 2 and 4 assistants.?
George, you have done this with me before so it would be great if you can be there.? And, once these mirrors are pulled, who is planning to take them? I will need to arrange to get the mirrors from the college to whomever is this lucky person - mirror delivery doesn't need to happen on the same day?that we pull the mirrors?off the tube.?
Days that I have open for this project are: Monday 2/10 or 2/24,?? Wednesdays 2/5, 2/19? or 2/26 Fridays: 2/7, 2/21, 2/28 - on Fridays after 11 am. Sundays: 2/9, 2/22,? or 3/2
We will be providing lunch or dinner from either Mr. G's or Two Wives to thank volunteers for their? help with this. George, I will get you lunch from Fiddleheads :D If you are interested in helping save the old 20-inch mirrors, please contact me at lfbro at conncoll dot edu.?
Thanks! Leslie Leslie F. Brown, Ph.D. Emeriti - Physics, Astronomy & Geophysics
Connecticut College New London, CT USA
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Re: Help needed to remove primary and secondary from the CC observatory 20inch RC
If it is on a weekend I can assist (specially for a free dinner :) )
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On Feb 2, 2025, at 5:40 PM, Leslie Brown via < lfbro@...> wrote:
Hi All,
I think we are ready to remove the primary mirror cell, the primary and secondary mirror?from the Olin Observatory 20-inch telescope. If you are interested in assisting, please let me know dates that you are available in February. I think we will need between 2 and 4 assistants.?
George, you have done this with me before so it would be great if you can be there.? And, once these mirrors are pulled, who is planning to take them? I will need to arrange to get the mirrors from the college to whomever is this lucky person - mirror delivery doesn't need to happen on the same day?that we pull the mirrors?off the tube.?
Days that I have open for this project are: Monday 2/10 or 2/24,?? Wednesdays 2/5, 2/19? or 2/26 Fridays: 2/7, 2/21, 2/28 - on Fridays after 11 am. Sundays: 2/9, 2/22,? or 3/2
We will be providing lunch or dinner from either Mr. G's or Two Wives to thank volunteers for their? help with this. George, I will get you lunch from Fiddleheads :D If you are interested in helping save the old 20-inch mirrors, please contact me at lfbro at conncoll dot edu.?
Thanks! Leslie Leslie F. Brown, Ph.D. Emeriti - Physics, Astronomy & Geophysics
Connecticut College New London, CT USA
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Re: Help needed to remove primary and secondary from the CC observatory 20inch RC
Leslie:
I should also add, that if no one else wants them, I can store the mirrors in my garage until a new owner can be located or TAAS gets an observatory.
George
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Re: Help needed to remove primary and secondary from the CC observatory 20inch RC
Leslie:
2-10 and 2-24 are good. 2-5 and 2-26 are good also. 2-7 and 2-28 are good. 3-1 is good, as is 2-9.
Some other dates MAY be good but there are things I have planned around those dates that could interfere. No need to compensate in any manor, I¡¯m glad to help.
George
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Help needed to remove primary and secondary from the CC observatory 20inch RC
Hi All,
I think we are ready to remove the primary mirror cell, the primary and secondary mirror?from the Olin Observatory 20-inch telescope. If you are interested in assisting, please let me know dates that you are available in February. I think we will need between 2 and 4 assistants.?
George, you have done this with me before so it would be great if you can be there.? And, once these mirrors are pulled, who is planning to take them? I will need to arrange to get the mirrors from the college to whomever is this lucky person - mirror delivery doesn't need to happen on the same day?that we pull the mirrors?off the tube.?
Days that I have open for this project are: Monday 2/10 or 2/24,?? Wednesdays 2/5, 2/19? or 2/26 Fridays: 2/7, 2/21, 2/28 - on Fridays after 11 am. Sundays: 2/9, 2/22,? or 3/2
We will be providing lunch or dinner from either Mr. G's or Two Wives to thank volunteers for their? help with this. George, I will get you lunch from Fiddleheads :D If you are interested in helping save the old 20-inch mirrors, please contact me at lfbro at conncoll dot edu.?
Thanks! Leslie Leslie F. Brown, Ph.D. Emeriti - Physics, Astronomy & Geophysics
Connecticut College New London, CT USA
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Amy
On Feb 2, 2025 at 5:35?PM -0500, Jay Drew via groups.io <mirrormaker@...>, wrote:
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Wow, thanks! I¡¯ll try that and will probably have more questions. Appreciate it, Jay
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Wow, thanks! I¡¯ll try that and will probably have more questions. Appreciate it, Jay
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Hi!??Happy new year!??I haven¡¯t used the SXW in many years, having bought aVixen SXP when the SXW was at Vixen for a long time to get the RA axis loosened. I did test it last year and it worked fine. I installed a Firmware update some time ago. I actually installed Windows 7 (!) on my really old MacBook Pro through Bootcamp so I could boot into Windows. The old Mac has an Ethernet port so I could connect the Starbook with a crossover cable, which is what you need to do the firmware update. I think the update eliminated the dec jumps that plagued the SXW for many years. I also have to NexSXW boards that converts the mount to a Celestron-like mount and is controlled by the Celestron hand controller.?
Let me know if I can help with anything.?
Amy
On Feb 2, 2025 at 4:33?PM -0500, Jay Drew via groups.io <mirrormaker@...>, wrote:
Hi all! Amy, are you still rocking your Vixen Sphinx SXW? Or have you moved on to something more modern? If so, can you tell me more about how you upgraded the weird Starbook controller?
?
I¡¯m *this* close to finishing the optics on my first achromat and I¡¯m hoping to use it on my Sphinx, at least at first. But I haven¡¯t dragged the old girl out of the shed in years and I¡¯m thinking she¡¯ll need an update.?
Thanks, Jay
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Jay Drew
Mark Strollo
Lee P.