Astronomy Info
Tips and reviews
Review
So what is an Equatorial Platform ? Well put simply, it is a mechanical device which moves through an arc parellel to the earth's rotation. When a telescope is placed on it, it neutralises the earth's movement and the stars appear to stand still. And why use one ? Well, the dobson is very large and heavy and a normal mount for such an instrument would cost many 10s of thousands of Euros. The EQ Platform is simple and cheap and can carry relatively large loads. Tracking lasts for one hour and then must be reset.
On receiving the platform I unpacked it and waited for good weather. After two nights, I got home after work to nice clear skies and just before the moon went up. I started to find the correct motor speed with 250x mag ( up until now I used mainly 150x, more than this I loose sharpness ). I found it quite quickly, then wacked it up to 500x for a fine tune. I had the bright star Regulus centered in a 9' FOV and it stayed dead center for 5 minutes, I think I can be happy with this result.
Well, then I just had to test it. First Saturn at 250x, better than I have ever seen it at this magnification. Then M81 and M82, again 250x, also super, then I tried M13 and went up to 333x, all was still looking good. I then thought that the pointing wasn't to good, so reset the platform and recalibrated the SkyCommander. I then split the double double Epsilon Lyr 1 at 333x. By now, going to bed didn't seem very high on the priority list !
So, as a summary, the platform seems to be working fine. After a few teething problems, the results really do seem astounding. I really never bothered before going over 150x as the image was so poor, but with the platform, it does appear that with moderate seeing I can push up to 333x. In particular, it will be great when I have guests, I can set things up and not have to be constantly moving the telescope about.
When I return from my holiday in London, I plan to take the Dobson up to a friend's observatory up in the mountains ie very secluded and very dark skies !
