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A new astro imaging table, Tom Gray

A new astro imaging table

A new astro imaging table, Tom Gray

A new astro imaging table

Description

A recent project while I wait In hope for the skies to clear. My cardboard box has finally folded, and I have upgraded to a collapsible ‘laptop imaging centre’, adapted from plans published in ‘Sky at Night’ magazine https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/the-big-book-of-diy-astronomy-projects-extra-resources/ [apologies I am not able to cite the designer’s name].

Made from 5mm ply, with an 8mm base and 20 x37mm softwood legs, kindly cut and supplied by my son, for my birthday. It looks flimsy, but once the dowels were fitted is surprisingly strong and steady, yet collapsible for storage and transport. I’ve adapted the base to accommodate my laptop, docking station and cabling, along with the folding side panels. A few holes still to drill for the cabling and it is good to go.

The table is shown along with my Meade 2080 LX5 at my remote observatory, which lies under Bortle 2 skies in Scotland...if only the cloud would clear...

Comments

Revisions

  • A new astro imaging table, Tom Gray
    Original
  • A new astro imaging table, Tom Gray
    B
  • A new astro imaging table, Tom Gray
    C
  • Final
    A new astro imaging table, Tom Gray
    D

B

Description: Here's a view inside the imaging station - I've modified the roof/lid to allow an internal red light to be fitted, and enclose the contents when closed. My aged, and rather slow, laptop takes up a lot of space!

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C

Description: I've also made a removable platform to hold 1.25" and 2" eyepieces - it covers the power supply/transformers and acts as a warm shelf to keep eyepieces, filters etc dew free.

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D

Description: Set up under Bortle 2, clear skies, and new moon...a long time coming.

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Histogram

A new astro imaging table, Tom Gray