Re: [Utah-astronomy] URGENT request for advice
Joe, If your observing interest are visual, I'd go with a dob. With good optics and good collimation the views are spectacular at a dark site. Collimation is not a problem once you learn how to do it. If you want to get into astro-photography then get the SCT with a good mount. I prefer the GEM mount over the fork mount. Personally, I think there are better designs for astro-photography such as the Mak-Cass or Mak-Newtonian but of course these are more expensive. Tracking platforms work well with dobsonians and most people are pleased with their performance. You can always buy one later. The important thing is to put your money into good optics and to be real careful with them. You don't want to be dropping things on your primary. My mirror box weighs about 60 lbs. This is about the limit for me for handling a large scope. Traveling with this size scope is not a problem but it performs best at a dark site. I took mine down to Texas in '98 and had a blast. Debbie
Thank you, Debbie. I would be doing a bit of astrophotography too later on, and that's why I am considering an SCT. But also I am wondering about another possible buy that has nothing to do with astronomy. What happened is that I sold some things in order to purchase a daguerreotype I wanted -- a Revolutionary War veteran, which I hoped to use in a book about such veterans I have been contemplating writing. But then my darn java wasn't working on my computer and I could not make a bid in the on-line auction! This was extremely upsetting to me because my war chest was actually more than three times the amount that the daguerreotype sold for. Today I contacted the auctioneer and asked her to pass the word along to the purchaser that I could make him a handsome profit. She said she would, but I haven't heard anything back. So if I get the photo of the Revolution vet, I probably won't be upgrading my old telescope. But if I don't, then an SCT is likely. The reason I was thinking about the Meade is that they have such an amazing sale on them right now, with a set of eyepieces for an extra $65. I am now convinced that a Newtonian would have better optics but that one for photographic purposes would cost too much in terms of mount with good tracking. What I'm now mulling over is 10" SCT vs 12" because I don't know how hard it is to hoist 75 pounds onto a tripod and wedge. I think I can handle it but don't want to buy the telescope and then discover I can't. Almost always I would have to drive out to an observing site alone so I have to weigh things like that. Best wishes, Joe Joe Bauman science & military reporter Deseret News bau@desnews.com (801) 237-2169
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