Jim Ellett and his new Celestron 11" and a modified CGEM mount.
The picture of the Moon was taken on 3/7/2009 with a FujiFilm S1000fd digital camera with a 10 second exposure of the Alps Valley area. No filter was used for this shot. Telescope used was a Meade 8" Starfinder on a Meade clock drive GEM.
Modified counter weight shaft made from 1" diameter cold rolled steel. The weights were bored out to 1 - 1/16" to slide onto the new shaft. Over all length of the shaft is 19". Weight to balance a Celestron 11" sc optical tube was reduced from 43 LBS. to 27 LBS.
Jim's first attempt at the Ring Nebula ( M57 ).
They were taken on 9/15/09 at 10:30pm from my backyard. They were taken with the digital rebel and 35 second exposures. M57
They were taken on 9/15/09 at 10:30pm from my backyard. They were taken with the digital rebel and 35 second exposures. M13
Here is a pic I took of the Orion and Running Man Nebula. This was a 30 second exposure with the Canon digital Rebel through the 11" Celestron.
Ghost of Jupiter
Whirlpool Galaxy
M 3