TOM2

[Tom Droege <tdroege@veriomail.com>]

I am now pretty sure that the TOM2 problems were due to condensation.  This 
is a big relief since I do not want to get back into the lens business.  I 
have no idea why the I lens seems to be subject to condensation and the V 
does not.  Perhaps it just affects the image more.  Experts?  In any case a 
trip to the hardware store provided pipe heaters.  I plan to just wrap the 
telescope tube with heater tape.  The ones that I got today were 60 
watts.   This may be a bit too much.  I had to guess in the store.  With 
modern legal retailing, there is unlimited cautions about every possible 
way the heater tape can damage you.  But no specifications as to how much 
power they put out.  After I opened the package, I found a UL label that 
told the power.  Thank the lord for the UL, they still have sensible 
people.  Tomorrow, I will look for the other kind of tape that you can cut 
to the length that you want.

TOM2 is now lined up.  At least to the extent that I can read the WCS and 
locate where the telescope is pointing.  It is a relief to look at some 
part of the sky than just above the equator.  I am bored with looking 
there.  For the last run, TOM2 was pointed at 37N.  I was trying for 42N 
but missed.  I have to get better at measuring the Dec. angle.  The RA was 
close.  Next adjustment should get it within a minute of time.

I suppose I will have TOM2 lined up and calibrated just in time for the 
late arriving clouds.

Meanwhile, for TOM1 I have switched to alternate 50 and 400 second 
exposures.  This will get about 15 each over the 2hr 19m tracking time 
available.

Tom Droege