Posts Made By: Alex McConahay

A Powertank should last more than a few hours......

Be that as it may, the next step up is an RV Battery. You may want to go there, but it is significant overkill for most applications that do not involve imaging, etc.

Alex

Try this.

http://alexastro.com/Alex%20Home%20Page/Equipment/Finder-Parfocuser/parfocuserindex.html

SOme parts you probably have around the house and some glue will do you up just fine.

Alex

There is a size limit on the photos. I just went looking, and, you know, I cannot find out what the size is!

I don't know why it is disappearing.

Alex

It also helps to take up Boating.

Alex

Yeah, that is gonna be my next article.

But, c'mon, that's a gimme.

Alex

I use a netbook regularly for planetary--but that takes only one connection. I would have no hesitation in using my netbook for all the applications I currently have on my old laptop. The programs and USB ports would work......but programs may not be as convenient to use because the tops and bottoms of the windows are cut off.

Remember that your screensize is a lot smaller with the netbook. THis means not only are things smaller on the screen, but that some programs will not load into the computer. Photoshop and the Canon control software will not load (If I recall correctly.) because the screen size is too short. In order to load these programs, you have to connect an external monitor with a bigger screen (which the netbook can use, and therefore loads the program). After loading and setup, you can remove the big screen and use only the netbook screen. This works with some programs (I can use Photoshop and Canon Control software on my netbook). However, the tops or bottoms of the window are cut off. Of course you can maneuver up and down to the different parts of the original window, but it is annoying. Other programs may load and register with the larger screen attached. However, they will not run without it. Still others will load, run, and be perfectly happy with the small screen.

Before you go attaching anything to the side of your tripod/pier, though, remember that you do not want to be touching anything that touches your telescope or pier while imaging. And yes, even while it is sitting running an imaging script unattended, there is occasion to touch your computer.

Alex

I'm out right now trying my first ever planetary imaging. Mars is absolutely swimming in the seeing. Dew is fixing to form. Betelgeuse is twinkling! But, amazingly, I did manage to see some white on one end of the planet in the L sequence. On a good night, I may be able to pull this off!

Alex

Hey, Mike,

How do you like that Images Plus stuff. I hear its pretty darn good!!!

Alex

Actually, I'm out trying out my first real planetary images in my backyard.

Hope all is well with you.

Pull the front of the scope to the north and see which way the star moves.

Alex

What do you plan to do with this thing once you have it on a mount?

Alex