3.5.2020 Making a "flat" cell for imaging.

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The day wore on with infrequent clearing. So I made a "flat" cell. My usual mod of a cooking utensil by cutting out a circle in the bottom with small, curved metal shears. I then covered the remaining shell, made from an old steamer, with a single layer of translucent, bin bag. [Refuse sack] I tried two layers of plastic but it was too dark and it didn't seem to help. Besides, it greatly extends the flat capture period. One layer is almost instant.

I pop the light metal ring, with neatly stretched plastic over the D-ERF cell for the flat capture.This means standing on a plastic beer crate and stretching up on tiptoe.

Then there is the hurdle of braining myself on the end of the declination shaft. As I rush back to the monitor and keyboard to do the capture. Ask me how I know this?

At least I didn't fall down though the trapdoor as I swayed half conscious over the void! I had very sensibly closed the trapdoor at that point. Perhaps I just need a rubber cap for the end of the shaft? 50mm might just be the right size for a trailer tow hook ball. I have a big, fat rubber one somewhere. Normally the greasy ball is decorated with a neater and much smaller, plastic cap.

Now I am down to one telescope again I don't really need the great length of Dec axis to carry more counterweights. Do I feel strong enough to remove the shaft and replace it with the original shorter [and much safer] one? This is no easy matter. The shaft is very heavy. Even when bereft of its saddle.

15:30 73/55F Mid afternoon and I am still capturing videos when the sun clears the cloud. I am seeing fleeting sharpening of the image on the monitor. Though still haven't managed to capture or process a much better image. I'm hoping that late afternoon will provide improved and steadier seeing conditions. Except that I have more and more cloud instead! I finally gave up at about 17.30.

Couldn't find the rubber tow ball cap. So I stole the white plastic cap from the car. Put a black one in its place. The white one fits the 50mm shaft nicely. The black one was loose and fell straight off! I'll keep an eye out for the rubber one in case it turns up.

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