Re: [APML] Newbie advice

[George Anderson <georgea@cam.org>]

Matthew

Just a few suggestions from another beginner.
While you are building your collection of equipment start off with a
good quality tripod and do some star trails. Then move on to a scotch
mount or barn door mount. This will teach you how critical polar
alignment and tracking are. You will also start to learn a fair bit from
these two exercises about exposure and skyfog limitations.
Whatever type scope you decide to use, buy a quality equatorial mount
that can take the weight of the instrument, camera, and the biggest lens
you have. Then allow a few extra pounds for a guide scope.
A dob mount will cause you grief starting off in AP work, unless you are
able to build a high quality equatorial platform for the dob to sit on.
As for pushing your own glass I'll sit back with my mouth shut as it is
a topic that I am very biased about.

George Anderson
Montreal Canada

Clear skies and good health

ps: Go to Flinders for some really great skies.

> Matthew Dulak wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
>     First to introduce myself. My name is Matthew Dulak and i'm based
> in Melbourne Australia. I'm new to astronomy and astrophotography but
> have been reading the emails in this group since the beginning of the
> year. I've been playing around with normal photography for a few years
> now  but am now interested in getting into the astro side of things
> (hence why i'm writing this).
> I need to buy/build a telescope. I have been looking at building
> a newtonian reflector 10" f 4-6. I am undecided as to whether or not i
> should grind my own mirror. As far as the mount goes i'm still trying
> to work out whether to go for a dobsonian or equatorial (both would be
> home made). Either way i will be motorising them and setting them up
> for connection to a laptop.
> 
> Now am I barking up the right tree or should i be doing something
> completely different. Price is an issue. i would like to keep it as
> low as possible. I have access to a large range of engineering and
> woodworking machinery and a lot of patience.
> 
> Hope this is enough info for you guys to give me a hand. Please note.
> I am mainly interested in the photography and not so much visual
> observing.
> 
> Thanks in advance.
> 
> Kind Regards
> Matthew Dulak
> Melbourne Australia

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