Hi Deb, I'm certainly no expert, but I love my GOTO because I'm so poor with knowing the stars and constellation, it's about the only way I can find anything (comes with being somewhat dyslexic. Best wishes, Joe --- On Sat, 12/11/10, Debbie <astrodeb@beyondbb.com> wrote:
From: Debbie <astrodeb@beyondbb.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] For Joe Bauman To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Saturday, December 11, 2010, 6:40 PM Joe, do you recommend a GOTO mount for astrophotography?
Debbie
On Sat, Dec 11, 2010 at 4:37 PM, Dave Gary <davegary@me.com> wrote:
Thanks Joe. I don’t have any of the software you mentioned except PHD Planetary and PHD Guiding. Both came with the guide scope. I have an ADM MDS mount for the ShortTube 80mm. MaxIM DL is a little out of my price range for the moment, but I will pick up a copy in the near future. I’ve never heard of PemPro. I need to look into that one. It may be cheaper than the TPoint add-on for TheSky. I have TheSky 6 Professional, TheSkyX Professional and Voyager 4.5 for picking targets and controlling the scope. I can use Voyager 4.5 for wireless control of the scope, which is nice. I may get the ADM MDS counterweight system and purchase an extra 1.75 pound weight. This will give me around 5.25 pounds as the counterweight that I can move around to achieve better balance.
Thanks for getting back with me. You’ve helped quite a bit in the decision process. Now, all I need is some time to go out and train myself in astrophotography. My wife says it will be a good thing I’m out by myself trying to learn something and lucky for everyone else that I’m well out of earshot.
Dave
On Dec 11, 2010, at 1:21 PM, Joe Bauman wrote:
Hi Dave, My main scope is a Meade LX200GPS 12". Like you, I have an Orion ShortTube 80 mm as the guide scope; it's mounted on a setup Guy Malmborg manufactured for me. I think you can find something on the Internet to hold the guide scope on the main scope. On the underside I have a Celestron counterweight bar assembly, which I think is no longer made. I use a five-pound weight. The Oceanside Photo and Telescope (OPT) site says they recommend the Losmandy DWS counterweight system, something I know nothing about. If I were you I'd contact OPT, which is where I buy nearly all my equipment, and talk about your gear -- they will give you solid, reliable recommendations. My main camera is an SBIG ST-402 ME, with color filter wheel, the cheapest SBIG makes; I am hoping to buy their new 8300 camera. My guide camera is Meade Deep Sky Imager (I don't remember if it's I or II variety, but either would work.) I have a lot of software. Mostly I use the free PHD Guiding with the guide scope. I control the main camera with MaxIM DL and use this program to process images (sometimes with a little help from PhotoShop Elements). A very important recent addition is the PemPro Software, which is great for better control of periodic error. I use Starry Night Pro 6 mostly to choose targets, but don't control the telescope with it. I learned that properly balancing the entire setup is vital. Best wishes, Joe --- On Sat, 12/11/10, Dave Gary <davegary@me.com> wrote:
From: Dave Gary <davegary@me.com> Subject: [Utah-astronomy] For Joe Bauman To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Saturday, December 11, 2010, 12:02 PM Joe,
I know you have a Meade LX200 telescope. Would you describe your imaging set-up. I’m outfitting my classic LX200 10” scope and could use some advice on balancing the whole set-up. I’ve purchased an Orion 80mm short-tube refractor as my guide scope. I have an Orion Starshoot Pro color camera for the primary scope and an Orion Starshoot Planetary Imager and Autoguider for the guide scope. I have a Milburn wedge. I have an AC generator for power in the field. We talked about this a while back.
I’m sure I’ll need some counterbalance weights. What type of counterbalance set-up do you have? Also, what software do you use for imaging analysis? I can run either Windoze or Mac. However, I prefer Mac. Is there anything I’m missing? Do you have any preference for books of reference concerning imaging techniques?
Thanks,
Dave
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