My Astronomy Hobby Pages
Brandon S. Jones
One of my oldest hobbies is
related to astronomy.After catching the bug as a seven year old child it has
never stopped from then on. I used to make my own scopes but now I use a
computer controlled american made telescope called an LX200. Early on there was
very little software allowing PC control of its computer functions and I wrote
this controller package to help. I have also had problems with electronic
maintenance and as to now Meade have not come forward with any working circuits
for it so I made my own.These are in
Orcad format but
there are also some Jpeg pictures available that should be printable. They
are also available as individual downloads
or as PRN files for Hewlett Packard
deskjet
printers. Follow the instructions in the readme file in the zip file
supplied. I have also had problems with the strength of the forks causing
flexure and I have strengthened these
as shown in this
picture. This has solved a lot of problems with the scope coping with
additional loads such as the Takahashi refractor I sometimes mount on top of
the LX200.
For CCD cameras I built both of the CookbookCameras
After solving problems with internal condensation these worked perfectly from
day one. Today I use converted web cams,low light video cameras or a
Meade Deep sky imager in conjunction with my own
software for webcams (Toucam)(Spacecam)and Registax.
Takahashi focusser project
Fixing LX200
tracking faults(Classic) on the classic LX200 here is a page of info on
doing that , I hope it is helpful
Fixing LX200 Sticky focusser's(Classic)
Canon EOS350D Page
About my observing site
VC200l Micro Focusser Project
Meade LXD75 page
Vixen VC200L Page
My Takahashi FS102 Page
Anodising Telescope components
Automatic filter Carousel Project
Meade DSI PRO Peltier Cooler Project
COMET SWAN
Circuit for Vixen DD1 contoller
Improving the LXD75 mount from some common
problems
Moon Eclipse March the Third
Olympus 350 Camera an interesting Prospect
Assorted images Taken at the edge of the light
pollution
Rgblocator project ..Free image processing Software
for Meade DSI
My orion 120mm F5 refractor page "Never mind
the quality feel the width"
Comet Holmes
Some of the very Early images
from theLX200 are
as follows done on film
M42
HALEBOPP
HAKUTAKE
Some of the seven of the home brew scopes built over the
years...
refractor (Images using toucam)
The refractor has a 100mm plain
objective which I bought in but the rest is built by me including the german
mount. This mount is totally home brew down to the stepping motor tracking
system electronics,but no slewing ,movement by manual methods only. There is
however a home made polar alignment telescope in the middle. as featured in
commercial designs of mounts. The dobby has a ten inch mirror which after three
months work is as near perfect as I could make it. The mirror is F6.3 limted by
my workshop length ie twice the focal length . The binoculars are made out of
two combined 80mm refractors with four right angle prisms allowing adjustment
to the eyepieces to pop the image pair into one combined image. These are
commercial 1000mm focal length matched cemented objectives accurate to a few mm
in focal length. At 15 pounds weight not easy to hand hold.
Other projects have involved a 6 inch F8 newtonian,a 4 inch
planetary newtonian of focal length 9 feet. guide scopes,finders etc etc. all
long gone to telescope heaven or hell.
LX200 CONTROLLER SOFTWARE
Works with Autostar Too..
For Windows Ver 3.1 or win95/98/NT/2000 and XP
B.S.JONES@BHAM.AC.UK
This was written in 1994 and issued in late 94 and early 95 up to now
in excess of 400 copies have been taken from this server.
If you wish a copy of the latest version for the COM1 serial port in ZIP format
click on HERE
....
As the software was written to the Windows PC standard of port Com1
being the user port and Com2 being the mouse port only Com1 was used
to communicate with the LX200.However only one person asked for
a com2 version as he was stuck with a non standard PC that could not
be altered so it was easier to issue a com2 version on request.
if you wish a copy of the latest version for the COM2 serial port in ZIP format
click on HERE
....
If you wish a copy of what this software does then click on
HERE ......
If you would like to see a GIF picture of the front panel then click on
HERE....
Hope you find it useful
Brandon S. Jones
Last update of page 30/10/2007
