24.04.2026 White light solar observing.

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  Desite having hurt my back a week ago I dragged the new rig outside. Hoping to do some solar observing in white light. I did not connect the mini-PC. Just used the paddle. First I tried the Lunt 1.25" solar wedge. Then I fitted the Lacerta 2". Which provides dimming by rotation of the EP holder. A started with a single Meade 4000 26mm EP. Then my 2x Shorty Barlow, Zoom EP and finally TE binoviewers and a pair of 26mm EPs. 

 The latter was by far the most satisfying set-up. The sky was milky but no visible cloud crossing the sun. The seeing was mostly very soft  but with moments of tantalizing, razor sharpness. Most of the time I was focusing in and out. Just trying to get a sharper image. When there was literally none to be found. I did not bother to use my mobile phone to capture the fuzzy image. Nor bring out the ZWO 174MM. Which would have required a screen and mouse mat.

 Earlier plans to have a permanent pier in front of the greenhouse were never progressed. The endless cloud and cold wind did not give way to sunshine until this last week. I only had an hour free this morning before leaving for a heart scan at the city hospital. I still have plans to put one of my piers in the front garden. Unfortunately I hurt my back playing with heavy paving slabs a week ago. So I can't possibly manage moving the massive weight of any of my three piers. Each of which needs different adaptation to the ZWO AM5N base.

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1st April 2026 MkIV packing and parcel delivery delay.

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 UPDATE: 22nd April: Two of the parcels reached the recipient. The third, in the foreground of the image below has only just arrived after three weeks. Damaged at both ends but the contents remained intact. Largely thanks to my taping the axis shafts to the MkIV's huge, saddle casting. I also fixed the locking collars to the ends of the shafts. Even so both ends of the parcel were punctured.

 Wednesday 1st April. Sunny. I have been outside packing the MkIV for its trip back to Blighty.

Having taken the whole thing apart. So I was able to tape the main shafts and cradle together. Then place it in a long, narrow box with padding. I was hoping to avoid the heavy shafts shooting out of the box and causing damage. Taping the parts together also increases the cross sectional area. I also taped the box thoroughly. To avoid penetration. This parcel came to 14kg. So just under the 15kg postage step.

 The rest of MkIV just fits into an old banana box. However it came to just over 21kg once I had added lightweight packing materials.

 The weight limit is 20kg for handing packages into parcel centres in Denmark. So I will have to lighten the second parcel and make up a small third.

 16.30 I have just delivered the three parcels to the parcel office in the village. 2 x15kg and one of 10kg. 

 

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23.03.2026 MkIV dismantling.

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    Monday 23rd. Bright but cloudy. Rather cool. I have continued to struggle with the removal of the main shafts of the MkIV. I had fitted stainless steel shafts in place of the rusty originals. This was years ago. I had fitted clamping screws to ensure th safts didn't detach accidentally. The fit must have been close. Because the shafts didn't want out come out of the castings. 

 11.30 In the end I used a compact counterweight as a slide hammer. With two shaft clamps well tightened onto the end of the shafts. The castings were resting on 2x4s on a folding workbench. This has taken me a couple of hours but the shafts are finally free. I can now pack the MkIV into compact boxes. Or wrap the parts. Rather than have to cater for huge L-shapes. The Dec shaft is by far the longest and the saddle is quite a length. 

 I have started to weigh the components but decided I need a rest first. 

 Lunch over. I have weighed all the MkIV's components. The total comes to 28kg. There are parcel services which allow 30kg. Or I could split the load two ways.

 

 

 

 

 

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20.03.2026 Downsizing Pt.2. The MkIV is going.

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 Finally a reasonable day to be comfortable working outside. Warm sunshine [46F/8C] and no wind. Though there was a light overnight frost and thick mist. 

I have been using a tall, tripod ladder, chain hoist and slings to lower my old Fullerscopes MkIV telescope mounting down from its massive steel pier.  The pier was so embedded in the undergrowth that I needed the car and a long rope to pull it free! 

 I welded the pier together and placed the restored mounting on top while I was still at work. So at least 18 years ago since my retirement. I must have been much stronger, inventive and determined back then. I stripped and painted the mounting. Fitted stainless steel shafts and silvered the scales. 

 The mounting was used to capture the Mercury Transit with my 7" [180mm] F12 refractor on board. Which lasted so long that it fried a big transistor in the speed control electronics for the synchronous drive motors. 

 Now I am dripping with sweat and a bit tired from the effort required today. I still have to dismantle the mounting and pack it up for postage to its new owner. That should be fun! Everything is rusted. 

 

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