Takahashi EM-11 and FSQ-85 at Queensland Astrofest


This is the astrophotography kit I took to Queensland Astrofest. Everything had to pack into 3 bags and one carry on. The new Takahashi EM-11 I bought after selling my heavier and much beloved Losmandy GM-8 performed beautifully and was lighter to transport. I had testing everything prior to getting on the plane. While my The Sky Temma 2 driver had worked fine in the northern hemisphere, it seriously malfunctioned when trying to use GoTo in the southern hemisphere. The Temma 2 driver put the mount into overload which blew the fuse in my powerline.
I had planned to take my TSA-102 which was advertised by US distributors as suitable for airline carry on. It isn't! It is about 1.5 inches too long. I had to substitute a FSQ-85 at the last minute. This diminuitive refractor performed adequately. However, next time I get on an airplane with astrophotography gear, I'll have the TSA-102 in a hard case and pay the additional luggage charge.
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Takahashi EM-11 mount, tripod legs, FSQ-85 and support equipment packed (with a few clothes) into 2 cases, a large photo bag and one carry on backpack with linked laptop case. 		IMG_1510.jpg
Takahashi EM-11, FSQ-85 with Vixen 70s, Starshoot autoguider and improvised computer table from my Pelican 1610 transport case set up on the field at the 2010 Queensland Astrofest
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An old astro-converted Canon EOS-40D was used for all photography on the trip except the skyscape time lapse with the fisheye which used an astro-converted EOS-5D. In this photo, the 5D is mounted on the FSQ-85 so I can use the 40D to take normal photographs. White balance with 40D images had to be custom adjusted for each photo. A modified Losmandy DUP plate and Losmandy dovetail wre used to mount the FSQ-85, guidescope and Acratech ballhead to carry a camera. 		IMG_1520.jpg
I carried 17 pounds of counter weights in my bags. Terry Cuttle's talk informed me that I could have used a milk container filled with sand and lightened up my kit by 17 pounds! The 12 volt battery, charge and 220V power cord with breaker were purchased at Big W the first day we landed in Brisbane and were left with another Astrofest attendee upon our departure.

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