PARAMOUNT ME


FULL SIZE
Paramount ME, TMB152 F/8, AP130 F/6, SBIG STL11000M (Class 1), SBIG STL1000M (Class 2) (2012)


WiFi Connection (Obervatory/Home)

Directional antena
Directional antena
Wireless Access Point


FULL SIZE
Paramount ME, TMB152 F/8, AP130 F/6, SBIG STL11000M (Class 1), SBIG STL1000M (Class 2)


FULL SIZE
Paramount ME, TMB152 F/8, AP130 F/6, SBIG STL11000M (Class 1), SBIG STL1000M (Class 2)


Paramount ME, TMB152 F/8, AP130 F/6, SBIG STL11000M (Class 1), SBIG STL1000M (Class 2)


Paramount ME, TMB152 F/8, AP130 F/6, SBIG STL11000M (Class 1), SBIG STL1000M (Class 2)
AP130 F/6, FF, SBIG STL11000 (CCDinpector image)
AP130 F/6, FF, SBIG STL11000 (CCDinpector image)
TMB152 F/8, FF, SBIG STL11000 (CCDinpector image)
TMB152 F/8, FF, SBIG STL11000 (CCDinpector image)


Paramount ME
Paramount ME
Paramount ME


AP130 f/6, SBIG STL11000M collimation (CCDInspector image)
AP130 f/6, SBIG STL11000M collimation (CCDInspector image)


Paramount ME
Paramount ME
Paramount ME


Paramount ME
Paramount ME


TPoint Model (2007)


PEMpro curve.


Image Train (SBIG ST-10XE, Pyxis Camera Field Rotator, Feathertouch Focuser + Robofocus).

Paramount ME
Paramount ME, AP130 F/6, TMB152 F/8, SBIG ST-10XE, ST-8E.
Asus laptop with second monitor (image acquisition).
Maxim DL screen (imaging session). TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, auto-guiding. Paramount ME.
Maxim DL screen (imaging session). TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, auto-guiding. Paramount ME.
Mosaic image (Paramount ME - Setup)

Paramount ME

The Paramount ME german equatorial mount was installed on a Pier-Tech 1. This equatorial mount was designed to be a rock solid, reliable mount for instruments payloads up to 68 kg.

The Paramount ME is packed inside three boxes
Attaching the mount to the Pier
Attaching the Versa-Plate
Versa-Plate configuration for multiple optical assemblies. Takahashi FS128 F/8.1, Takahashi Mewlon 250mm f/12
Home position
Park position (roll-off-roof observatory)
Paramount ME

New 2" Feathertouch adapter
Paramount malfunction (replacing the adapter panel - 20060113)
Paramount malfunction (replacing the adapter panel - 20060113)

CCD inspector (TMB152mm F/8)
CCD inspector (TMB152mm F/8)
CCD inspector (TMB152 F/8) Feathertouch focuser + Robofocus (ST-10XE)
CCD inspector (TMB152 F/8) Feathertouch focuser + Robofocus (ST-10XE)

Maxim DL screen (imaging session). TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, auto-guiding. Paramount ME.

Maxim DL screen (imaging session). TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, auto-guiding. Paramount ME.
The Sky 6 (imaging session). TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, Paramount ME.

The Sky 6 (PEC correction). TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, Paramount ME.

Water cooling (additional cooling wheb air tenperature is high may be achieved by circulating water through the SBIG ST-10XE CCD camera).
Water cooling (Cooler Box, Ice Boxes and Submersible Aquarium Pump).

Summary of some of the Paramount's more impressive features:

Integrated Electronic Control Panel 

  • Multi-port input panel to run all sorts of equipment. 
  • Telescope serial port
  • CCD camera power
  • Two auxiliary serial ports
  • Parallel port
  • Focuser port
  • Autoguider input port
  • Two additional auxiliary power ports. 
  • Large conduit to run additional cables through the mount.
  • Easily removable panel to access fuses, and electronic switches for Flash RAM control system software upgrades. 

User-Friendly Polar Alignment Adjustments

  • Entire mount is situated on an "azimuth bearing." This allows adjustments to the mount's azimuth during polar alignment without disturbing the mount's altitude. This makes the polar alignment process much more straightforward.
  • The altitude adjustment "jacking screw" allows you to make very fine adjustments in to the mount's altitude, again,  making polar alignment simpler.
  •  Altitude markers are inlaid into the wedge.
  • Altitude adjustment

Counterweights

  • Ergonomic design - all edges are smooth for easy handling.
  • Stainless steel custom made locking knob will not break. 
  • The locking knob can be tightened with a hexagon key (or socket set screw, Allen wrench) for absolute security of the counterweight (changes in temperature will not affect the knob's grip).
  • Spring-loaded, captivated brass plunger ensures a tight grip and easy adjustment on the counterweight shaft. Also, the brass plunger is always retracted, so that the counterweight easily slides on the counterweight shaft, regardless of its orientation. 
  • Tri-grip™ counterweight bore grips the counterweight shaft on three contact points.  With three contact points, once tightened, the counterweights will not slip.
  • Adjustment screw is recessed and will not get damaged or bent inadvertently. 

Gears

  • Research-grade 11.45-inch right ascension and 7.45-inch declination gears drive the Paramount. The right ascension gears guaranteed to have 5 arcseconds or less peak-to-peak periodic error.

 


First light Paramount ME (20050518)

M011. Takahashi FS128 F/8.1, ST-10XE, 25min, 5x5min, self-guided Sigma Clip.
M011. Takahashi FS128 F/8.1, ST-10XE, 25min, 5x5min, self-guided Sigma Clip, DDP.
M013. Takahashi FS128 F/8.1, ST-10XE, 30min, 6x5min, self-guided Sigma Clip.
M013. Takahashi FS128 F/8.1, ST-10XE, 30min, 6x5min, self-guided Sigma Clip, DDP.
M051. Takahashi FS128 F/8.1, ST-10XE, 30min, 6x5min, self-guided Sigma Clip.
M057. Takahashi FS128 F/8.1, ST-10XE, 30min, 6x5min, self-guided Sigma Clip.
M057. Takahashi FS128 F/8.1, ST-10XE, 30min, 6x5min, self-guided Sigma Clip, DDP.
M071. Takahashi FS128 F/8.1, ST-10XE, 15min, 3x5min, self-guided Sigma Clip.
M071. Takahashi FS128 F/8.1, ST-10XE, 15min, 3x5min, self-guided Sigma Clip, DDP.


Paramount ME, Mewlon 250mm F/12, FS128 F/8.1


Paramount ME, Mewlon 250mm F/12, TMB152mm F/8


Paramount ME, Mewlon 250mm F/12, TMB152mm F/8


Paramount ME, Mewlon 250mm F/12, TMB152mm F/8, SBIG ST-10XE


Paramount ME, TMB152mm F/8, Takahashi FS102 F/8, SBIG ST-10XE


Paramount ME, TMB152mm F/8, Feathertouch focuser + Robofocus.

Paramount ME (selection of CCD images 2005/2006)


Full size


Full size


Full size


Full size


  • M13. TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 30min, 10x3min, SDmask, DDP, Paramount ME (self-guided). UV/IR Astronomik filter. FULL MOON

  • M65, M66. TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 50min, 10x5min, Sigma Clip, DDP, Paramount ME (self-guided). UV/IR Astronomik filter.

  • NGC2903. TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 60min, 12x5min, Sigma Clip, DDP, Paramount ME (self-guided). UV/IR Astronomik filter.

  • M002 (30min), M015 (15min). TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, self-guided SDmask, DDP, Paramount ME.

  • M051. TMB 152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 120min (25x5min). SDmask (left), DDP (right). Paramount ME.

  • M064. TMB 152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 40min (8x5min). SDmask (left), DDP (right). Paramount ME.

  • M106. TMB 152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 55min (11x5min). SDmask (left), DDP (right). Paramount ME.

  • M033. TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 2x30min, 2x6x5min, self-guided SDmask, DDP, Paramount ME. Mosaic image. UV/IR Astronomik filter.

  • M033. TMB152mm (Astrophysics 0.67x reducer), ST-10XE, 24min (8x3min), self-guided, SDmask, DDP, Paramount ME. UV/IR Astronomik filter.

  • M057. TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 60min (2x30min), self-guided SDmask, Paramount ME. UV/IR Astronomik filter (extended envelope) Magintude field (POSS)

  • M057. TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 30min, 10x3min, self-guided SDmask, Paramount ME. UV/IR Astronomik filter.

  • M057. TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 30min, 10x3min, self-guided SDmask, DDP, Paramount ME. UV/IR Astronomik filter.

  • M011. TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 30min, 10x3min, self-guided SDmask, Paramount ME. UV/IR Astronomik filter.

  • M011. TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 30min, 10x3min, self-guided SDmask, DDP, Paramount ME. UV/IR Astronomik filter.

  • M011. TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 30min, 10x3min, self-guided Sigma Clip, Paramount ME. No filter.

  • M011. TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 30min, 10x3min, self-guided Sigma Clip, DDP, Paramount ME. No filter.

  • M013. TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 30min, 10x3min, self-guided SDmask, Paramount ME. UV/IR Astronomik filter.

  • M013. TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 30min, 10x3min, self-guided SDmask, DDP, Paramount ME. UV/IR Astronomik filter.

  • M013. TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 33min, 11x3min, self-guided Sigma Clip, Paramount ME. No filter.

  • M013. TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 33min, 11x3min, self-guided Sigma Clip, DDP, Paramount ME. No filter.

  • M027. TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 45min, 9x5min, self-guided SDmask, Paramount ME. UV/IR Astronomik filter.

  • M027. TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 45min, 9x5min, self-guided SDmask, DDP, Paramount ME. UV/IR Astronomik filter.

  • M027. TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 30min, 6x5min, self-guided, SDmask, Paramount ME. No filter.

  • M027. TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 30min, 6x5min, self-guided, SDmask, DDP, Paramount ME. No filter.

  • M071. TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 30min, 10x3min, self-guided SDmask, Paramount ME. UV/IR Astronomik filter.

  • M071. TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 30min, 10x3min, self-guided SDmask, DDP, Paramount ME. UV/IR Astronomik filter.

  • M071. TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 30min, 10x3min, self-guided, SDmask, Paramount ME. No filter.

  • M071. TMB152mm F/8, ST-10XE, 30min, 10x3min, self-guided, SDmask, DDP, Paramount ME. No filter.

  • M011. Takahashi FS128 F/8.1, ST-10XE, 25min, 5x5min, self-guided SDmask, Paramount ME.

  • M011. Takahashi FS128 F/8.1, ST-10XE, 25min, 5x5min, self-guided SDmask, DDP, Paramount ME.

  • M013. Takahashi FS128 F/8.1, ST-10XE, 45min, 15x3min, self-guided SDmask, DDP. Paramount ME.

  • M027. Takahashi FS128 F/8.1, ST-10XE, 60min, 20x3min, self-guided SDmask, DDP. Paramount ME.

  • M057. Takahashi FS128 F/8.1, ST-10XE, 30min, 10x3min, self-guided SDmask. Paramount ME.

  • M057. Takahashi FS128 F/8.1, ST-10XE, 30min, 10x3min, self-guided SDmask, DDP. Paramount ME.

  • M071. Takahashi FS128 F/8.1, ST-10XE, 15min, 3x5min, self-guided SDmask. Paramount ME.