TheSkySearchers

This Tuesday (March 11) I had a bit of a clear window from 7 - 10PM, though it was only -7C (19F). In the morning all the forecasts looked great; by the time I got in from work the seeing forecast had worsened and the dark skies would not be as much so.

I thought to take out my Jason Saturn Model 324 80mm/1200mm. I bought it on Kijiji about four years ago for $80. They do not have the best reputation, but for a buck a mm, why not give it a shot Long story short, the views were indeed not the best. I took out the objective and found the crown and flint were not lined up together! After blackening the lens edges, I put it back together properly and that fixed that. A star test is perfect. The aluminum lens cell is colimatable, but it seems I don't have to go there.

I cleaned out, regreased and tightened up the original mount. Even the screws holding the metal brackets were all loose, big difference now that they're tight. The mount is really solid for this scope, and it turns well on all axis. I also made a simple mod to take 1.25" parts on the all-metal, very solid focuser; turns out the drawtube has the same OD as 1.25 diagonals, etc. I use a 1/4 socket on a screwdriver end to tighten/loosen the hoseclamp. Since the drawtube and whatever 1.25 accessory I put in there both have machined straight edges, you just butt them up and tighten. I also put oversize thick plastic jar lids on both the tiny focuser knobs. Not a two speed, but much better than before

This is a picture of it with my Sears 60mm/700mm. Both have Towa glass, as do a lot of my scopes.



Anyways. I went out with it about 7:30 to see Venus. I use my Celestron Star diagonal with this scope; it's the one from my orange C80. The field of view is wider and somewhat brighter than my iOptron dielectric. I put in an 18mm KK and had a look.
Well, it's not bad considering the seeing and the lowness to the horizon. There was a dark area on the crescent; clouds or just the side of the planet opposite the Sun I wasn't sure. Then I thought to take a picture of it.

So get this: I put my Canon T3 with it's T-ring into the focuser. Turning the RA knob, I found Venus again through the camera's viewfinder. Naturally, it was blurry. I focused best I could looking through the camera viewfinder, all the while turning the RA knob. Objects drift by quick in this thing. I then turned on the camera, got live view up at 10X, and tried to tighten the focus.
What is wrong with me?? Man, Venus was jiggling around more on live view than my cat's stomach when she sometimes runs. After about 15 seconds though, I was able to keep a pretty constant speed with the RA, and focus (lightly) with the focuser knobs.

All considering, it could be worse. This is 35 stacked frames at ISO 800 and 1/2000 sec exp. Just PIPP and AS2, no Registax or the like; it really looked butchered



After that I went in and warmed up while unloading the camera. Back out at 8, and decided to do some more visual. It was a bit hazy, but I'm here anyways... Putting in my 25MM KK, I pointed the scope at the faint smudge I assumed was the Pleiades. Indeed it was. I sat down and had a look.
I forgot to mention I have only done a star test for visual with this since I fixed the objective issue; I actually ran out of clear sky that night. Needless to say, my neighbors all probably heard the "Wow!"
My best scope is my orange C80 by Vixen. Although I'm now thinking that this Jason might just be a tad better.....

The star colors, velvet background, un-freaking-real. I looked up and it was still not the best seeing. How is this even possible? Seriously, I spent about 45 minutes going from there to the "V" in Taurus, Orion for sure, and finishing with the Little Beehive cluster and Sirius and the Pup. My lens use was all Fujiyama KK's; 25, 18 and 12mm. 9mm was just too much. Even with the seeing, stars of mag 11 were no problem and just perfect little pinpoints on the blackest background I've ever seen from here. I've so gotta get this thing to a dark sky site!

And now I'm cold as it's really not warming up outside. I could see the moonglow to the east, so I thought to go in and warm up again and later try for that, both AP and visual. I need to look for CA

By 10:30 the Moon was up enough to be visible to me and wash everything else out. There was a white glow around it; a result of bad seeing. Ah well, let's see. Popping in my 25mm, I looked at the "terminator" side with all the craters. Yet another Wow moment! The contrast was just spectacular! I must've said Wow about a dozen times, and that was just the 25mm And try as I might, I could find no CA. Nada, zip. At least for lunar, this scope has a slight edge over my C80.
I spent another half hour with the Moon, and even got some descent views through the 9mm. I can still picture it, and I know I keep saying this, but Wow!!

Well, it's getting on to past 11. 6AM comes early. I put my T3 in the back and let it cool for a bit. Focusing on the Moon was somewhat easier than focusing on Venus; imagine that. The haze was a bit worse (it started raining just after midnight) so not the best. I only did 30 frames. I only have enough time to take 15 frames before it's out of the FOV... Oh, and ISO 1600 at 1/640 sec exp.



Time to pack it all up and get warm for good The mount is a bit of a "dance" to get in the door and downstairs, the legs don't fold in. The OTA goes in first, then the dance with the mount begins...

And some of my thoughts on f/15 fracs, at least the 80mm variety... I would definitely NOT recommend this scope for a first-time user, or someone with limited patience.
The FOV is very small (I tried this with the original .965 diagonal and 20mm lens; I don't know how it's useable like that), and unless the mount is really solid, focus will be very difficult due to vibration. A good finderscope/red dot/whatever your fancy that is perfectly lined up with the OTA is an absolute necessity.
Also, most of us would get an ED or APO and have an easier time of it. I think you just have to be someone who appreciates the old school long f/l achro's and who can put up with and even be happy with their shortcomings

One day I might get back out again. First the rain, clouds, and winds have to go.... Hope you have better luck!

All the best everyone,

A very nice report Mark

I appreciate the "old school". Thanks for the report.

Good show, Mark !
Thank you for the fine report and images.
More clear skies to you my friend.

Nice Mark!

I like the "old school" too also the hands on tuning of your scopes. Very nice report! Thanks!

Fine crisp lunar shot despite the conditions and a fine job with Venus with manual tracking!

Thanks!

Hello Mark. On my second foray back into astronomy, I started with a Jason 60mm refractor, and took a lot of moon walks. I later added a Cave 10" f/5 Astrola Newtonion scope, all back in the mid/late 1970's. You have very nice images of Venus and the Moon here with this vintage gear and no guiding. Thanks for sharing these captures with us here Mark, and the very best of regards.

Thanks for your report.
I once had a DIY 80mm f/15 refractor on the same mount. The home made tripod was rather heavy and stable, but the mount wasn't. I can imagine the jiggling and your annoyance. The old school refractor itself is rather nice though, after you having found its flaws. Great capture of Venus!

That's pretty awesome, Mark! Very very nice lunar capture too! Well done!

Day 9 of solid clouds here. No rain today, but that should pick up in earnest tomorrow. They've shut the schools down here for the rest of the month (online classes only). Went in to work today for a couple of hours to get my rat killin' caught up. I expect tomorrow morning will be filled with discussions on how to mitigate the zombie horde.

Excellent! Quality time with some vintage glass.

Excellent engineering skills Mark!

Regards

Graeme

Great stuff Mark - nice retrofit and some good photos.

Very nice report and pic with the two 'fracs Mark! I'll need to take a group shot of all my "old" 60mm 'fracs.

A 80/1200mm 'frac looks huge - I personally would prefer the shorter C80.