Telescope Problems Part Two

Cliff · Post by **Cliff** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 2:32 pm

Dear al(L)
After the SCT crash landing I felt remarkably calm (if it had been brand new I might have felt different?).
I picked up the tube assmbly and took it indoors.
Examination revealed the ground impact had first been taken by the eyepiece (a 20 mm possl) which had the edge of its metal tubequite grazed but the optics were OK ang the eyepiece still usable. The next component the Crayford focusser looked a real mess and assumed written off.The SCT tube looked surprisingly unscathed. Then I saw an alarming hole in the Corrector Plate - the Impact had smashed off the SCT secondary mirror assembly. Closer inspection revealed the secondary assembly's retaining tube collar was lying forlornly inside the SCT tube.
Unbelievably the corrector plate looked OK except for lack of secondary mirror !
I went outside and retrieved the seconadry which had rolled down the garden.
Previously I had thought of removing the Corrector Plate to clean it but chickened out.
But now\then I carefully removed the Corrector Plate and got the secondary mirror retaining collar out of the SCT tube.
After dismantling the HEQ5 Pro mount and getting it indoors I went to Bed !!
End of PART TWO
Best of luck from Cliff

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 9:06 pm

Dear Cliff,

I'm so sorry to hear of your misfortune. Is there a chance that repair or replacement of your OTA will be covered by a household insurance policy?

Regards,

Ender Of Days · Post by **Ender Of Days** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 1:31 am

"I went outside and retrieved the seconadry which had rolled down the garden."

I think that says it all

Hope it doesn't cost too much to repair,

JJ..

Steve Young · Post by **Steve Young** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 6:39 am

Hope it's not damaged the patio too badly

Cheers
Steve
(sorry, had to be done)

Cliff · Post by **Cliff** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 9:03 am

Dear Brian, JJ and Steve
Thanks for your interest.
Part 3 is about to follow !!!!!
Best wishes from Cliff