Well, after a really messy start it looks like the night might be productive. I had major issues with the #1 CGE mount. It looked like cable issues again but swapping the cables with the #2 CGE did no good and the suspect cables worked just fine on CGE#2. I removed the RA motor cover and just looked around inside a bit and toggled the micro switches. All seems to be fine now. No idea what the problem was.
Rig #2 is taking 200-second integrations of CSS130106:112619+084651 (“OT1126”). SN is around 20-25 or so but the object is low in the sky – will get better throughout the night.
This is the first night using camera ST8xme #2. Purchased off AstroMart a week or two ago – class 1 chip and CFW9 filter wheel all for a good price. Selling the filter wheel and filters on AMart to recoup some of the cost.
I’ve installed the 1200 line/mm grating in the LHiRes spectrograph. If it stays clear all night I may try an object for Rowen Poole. At declination -16 degrees it’s going to be a challenge. The object is a suspected but unconfirmed (?) T Tau star.
Another recent purchase: a used Astro-Physics 1200GTO with CP2 electronics. It seems to be in good shape but I won’t know just how good (or otherwise) until the pier-top mounting plate arrives, which I’ve been told will be about four weeks from now. Currently I plan to put the new mount in the 10-foot dome and move the #1 telescope there, then mount the #2 telescope in the older dome. The spare mount (CGE#2) might be used for parts or perhaps I’ll re-build the 8-inch f/10 and mount it on occasion. Or maybe I’ll just sell it. I need to get a dovetail saddle and counterweights for the 1200; as soon as finances settle down I plan to upgrade to CP3 electronics.
