Celestron motor for tracking with Lacerta controller for CG4 mount EQ4 / 5

First , I start by saying that from 2008 when I buyed my telescope, so far, I have never mounted a motor tracking on it, until February 18, 2012.

I ordered a set of 2 motor drives for RA and DEC axis from Celestron, with variable tracking speed (1X, 2X, 4X, and 8X), wired control box, cables, power supply unit that works with 4 batteries. The set costed me 125 euros.

The mount worked very well, but I never got to try it with weights and the telescope tube mounted to see if it can support the weight, that I burned the controller. How? I've connected a wire from a Sauna Belt that goes to 12V and the motor drive only needed 6V.

I tried to fix it in an electronic repair workshop, but no results. So in April 2012, I called the shop where I bought the motor drives, and bought only another remote for it, Lacerta EQHC made ​​in Hungary, not Celestron. Works well and are proud of it.

Standard controllers for EQ3 and EQ5 mounts with dual driving axes (not GoTo versions) do not contain autoguider ports, but these mounts could be used for introduction in deepsky astrophotography. Lacerta EQHC controller solves the following problems:

- Fixed programmed speeds at 0.5 x-2x-16x sidereal speeds.

- Not only autoguider input, but also programmed speeds for the stars, moon and sun.

- At 6V power (voltage between 6V and 12V any can be used)

- An autoguider can be connected to the installed port.

So, I am using the Celestron motors, connected to Lacerta controller.

In the next article, I will show how the motor drives is mounted on a telescope mount.

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How to mount a Nikon DSLR on a telescope with an adapter T2 ring

If you attach a Nikon digital SLR to a telescope, you will take pictures to objects at a great distance, like the moon, planets and stars. Long exposure can bring out many more details than is seen with the naked eye, making objects in bright colors. With a DSLR you can capture stunning images of the universe.
 My device is Nikon D80. This allows long exposures of up to 30 seconds only, but in bulb option, which works only with a remote control, can be set it at longer exposures, but the mount of the telescope must have a tracking motor.

Baader Hyperion T-adapters allow direct coupling of any T threaded camera or accessory to the Baader Hyperion eyepieces.

Hyperion-T adapter that I have and it's in this article, is HTA43/T-2, which attaches to the M43 thread of Hyperion eyepiece with a fixed focal length. The eyepiece's thread of 43 mm is located under the protective rubber.
These adapters allow Hyperion eyepieces to be used for CCD and DSLR cameras. With this adapter, any T-2 extension tubes can be used between the eyepiece and the camera to project and zoom in as much as you want.

Turn off the camera. Remove the objective lens, holding the release button down while turning the  objective lens clockwise.

Attach the T-ring for Nikon to the mount of the camera by screwing it counterclockwise until it clicks. It is important to buy the right T-ring.
After that, screw on Nikon's T ring, HTA43/T-2 Hyperion ring.

Enter the two adapters in the telescope on wich will be installed the Hyperion eyepiece. The first is 2", and the second adapter in the photo is 1.25" which is screwed on the 2 ".

Now screw the Hyperion eyepiece on the camera in the Hyperyon's T2 ring.

Enter the camera in the focuser of the telescope, (in 1.25" adapter). Tighten the screws to prevent camera falling during use. Now you're ready to shoot through a telescope.

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Hyperion T ring HDT54/37 and extension for Sony CX 130

HDT54/37 Hyperion T Ring, 37mm (requires HEXT54)
HEXT54 Hyperion Extension Ring, SP54 (used Hyperion to extend the Hyperion SP54 thread).

First of all, I say I have a Hyperion 10 mm eyepiece, and a Sony CX130 video camera.

The two rings are useful for threading a camera that has a thread diameter of 37 mm, to the Hyperion eyepiece, which has a thread in front (exit pupil), of 54 mm (Hyperion also have a 42 mm thread). Ring about we talk abour here, is screwed on the thread of 54 mm Hyperyon eyepiece. Because 54 mm thread is not close to the edge of the eyepiece, it requires an extension ring, in order to achieve the necessary distance between the camera objective lens and the eyepiece lens. Otherwise, without the extension ring, the Hyperion can not be screwed to the camera.

Below, I shot a video showing you how the Sony CX 130 camera is mounted on the 8-inch Newtonian reflector telescope from Celestron, with these two T rings, which are used to connect your telescope.



For those who like the pictures of my articles, would be nice to pay attention on advertising that appear in the blog by a click, because it is the only way I could buy one day a better telescope.

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T adapters and rings for Hyperion eyepieces and Nikon DSLR

I bought some astrophotography accessories for my telescope CELESTRON 8 "Newtonian (C8-N). You are invited on Newtonian C8N new group created in the Yahoo Groups.You can see it in the top right of the page.
      These three accessories are purchased from Cluj,Romania, sent in the package to Baia Mare, and has cost them 234 RON.It's for afocal use, for connecting between Hyperion 10mm eyepiece and Nikon D80 DSLR. In their order will be screwed: the Hyperion-T-2 M43 adapter, on it T-2 Extension tube 7.5 mm, screwed on it, T-2 Extension tube 40mm ,Nikon T ring , and Nikon D80 camera.

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