Posts Made By: Alex McConahay

Just to be sure I understand the question--Are you looking for a scope that will connect to your Meade My Sky specifically, or just the best goto scope available?

Alex

One estimate is based on Mars at its traditionally accepted size, and the other is for Mars at its new size, as proven in recent internet postings of "As large as the full moon."

Alex

>>If you set up at a remote site don't overdress to start with. If you work up a sweat it will be hard to stay warm.

Agreed, but on the other hand, don't wait to get cold to put on the later layers. ONce you get cold, it is harder to warm back up.

And eat well. A hungry body has difficulty staying watm.

Alex

Jim,

With a wide angle lens (<30 mm 35 mm equivalent) you should be able to stick a camera on any photo tripod, and using a 30 second exposure, get good all-sky shots.

With any decent tracking mount, you could perhaps push that to a minute or a minute and a half.

With a longer focal length lens, you will need good tracking. I doubt anything is available at less than about $800 new, $350 used that could handle a camera and lens at above about 200 mm.

And then there is the problem--do you want to spend money for a drive/mount that you will quickly trade in when you find that it is inadequate for anything of any length of time...Or would you rather invest in something that will last for a while?

ALex

As you know, from our private correspondence, I will be there--coming all the way from Southern California. ANd yes, I would love to meet some of you all in person.

And it will be my first WSP.

Alex

Look into the CG-5 class of mounts, or the Meade LXD 55-or 75. Neither are top rated, but either will generally be nominally workable on short focal length/lightweight scopes.

Alex

My observation is that generally people get either a 5 or nothing at all.

Add to that the idea that in many cases if something goes wrong (to the point that a deal is not completed) one is not allowed to rate the other user. This would be a great time to share some feedback, I should think! But it is not allowed.

The system is nice. But I suspect it is not scientifically accurate.

Alex

Dave,

The mount is even more critical than the tube, but you should start with what you have--particularly if you happen to have a DSLR sitting around the house. A one-shot color DSLR (From Nikon or Canon, and others) would enable you to take some pretty good photos. Use your shortest focal length refractor to start. Attach the camera with a camera adapter (relatively minor investment). If you do not have a remote control(either through the computer or separately) use a 30 second exposure, with the countdown timer to take your photos. Use automatic dark frame subtraction to start. And go from there.

If you don't happen to have a DSLR around the house (and can't borrow one for the experiment), then SLOW DOWN....There is a lot to think about before starting down this road. I, for instance, would not go with the ST-7, but with the Canon, (with all due respect from other posters). Yes, the ST-7 is superior in many ways (and once you learn how to use it to the max could offer more). But the DSLR is superior in many other ways (and much easier to get started with). So, as I said, slow down. Watch other people do it for a while. If you were in California, I'd say, come on over, and I'd loan you some equipment so you could try it out for a while. But, alas, that would be difficult for me to do where you are.

Alex

(PS....Think back to your Dante--"Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here.")

You want to start by simply using a "Camera Adapter" This has a 2 inch barrel (or 1.25--I'd recommend 2) on one end and a T-adapter thread on the other. Then you screw on a t-ring. This has female t-threads on one end, and a bayonet mount to attach to your camera on the other. They are very common. Look at Anacortes, and they will get you what you need.

Stick this contraption in your focuser tube, connect your camera, and you can start. This is called Prime Focus photography (although it is not really at Prime Focus, technically), and makes your telescope tube into a very long focal length lens.

Using an eyepiece is called projection or afocal photography. You do not want to go there for a while. It is much more critical and difficult.

Alex

I am assuming you know about the clear sky clock? That is a great site for local weather and observing conditions.

Or do you want to know the whole US at once?

Alex