After My $4,500 Telescope Fell Over...

My $4,500 astrophotography rig was knocked over by strong wind while imaging M27 on a thirtieth-floor rooftop. The setup included a Clean Sky ST25 harmonic mount, an Askar N210 Newtonian telescope, and a ZWO ASI2600Air camera. Somehow, the mount was still tracking and the camera was still shooting after the entire rig hit the ground. After setting everything back up and checking the system, it actually continued imaging for the rest of the night. In this video, I inspect the damage, check the Askar N210’s collimation, test the equipment, and reveal the final image of M27, the Dumbbell Nebula, captured after the accident. I also share several ways to reduce the risk of a telescope rig tipping over, including adjusting the tripod, adding ballast, and using proper counterweights. My equipment got incredibly lucky this time. Always check the balance, wind conditions, tripod, locks, cables, and optics before leaving an astrophotography rig unattended. If you enjoy astronomy, deep-sky imaging, and astrophotography gear, please like, subscribe, and leave a comment. #Astrophotography #Astronomy #Telescope #DeepSkyAstrophotography #NightSky #Stargazing #M27 #DumbbellNebula #AskarN210 #ASI2600Air #ZWO #HarmonicMount #EquatorialMount #NewtonianTelescope #TelescopeFail