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Re: [APML]: CCD or Film Dilemma
> From: charles@jon.cjfny.org
> -get an ST7 which I would use with my Ultima 8 and a laptop I already
> own
>
> -or buy something that will yield significantly sharper photos than my
> current standbys (telephoto lenses) such as a 5-inch AP refractor or
> perhaps something exotic such as a Schmidt Camera. I am also thinking of
> getting into 4X5 format.
It's always important to define your astroimaging objectives before
you get the gear to meet those goals. . .but here's one consideration
that doesn't come up often, that in many cases tips the scales toward
CCDs:
Amateur science.
I know that lots of folks here (myself included) enjoy the beauty of
fine astro images (CCD or film), but there can be more than just
pretty pictures to this hobby.
For example, if the %$#@! weather holds, on the morning of 20 Feb at
about 445AM I plan to have my scope, a real-time CCD, VHS recorder,
and shortwave receiver tuned to the time station WWV all set up while
I record a grazing lunar occultation of a star. My rig is mobile
and with a 120VAC inverter I can run off a 12V battery.
I'm gonna help IOTA (International Occultation Timing Assoc) map the
southern limb of the moon to a greater degree of accuracy. (Parts of
the moon's south pole are perpetually in shadow. Nobody has ever
photographed that area. And I doubt that the Lunar Prospector probe
has a large flash unit for that purpose! ;-)
Pretty photos that people will ooooh and aaaaah over? Nope, some
videotape frames of the event with an audio track of beeps every
second and a time announcement every minute. From where I plan to
position myself for this event I hope to see the star
disappear/reappear at least three times due to lunar mountains,
hopefully more times for more data points.
Whenever I finish my cookbook CCD I may enter the world of astrometry
and minor planet patrol. It's amazing that Dennis Di C., from his
home near Boston (talk about light pollution!) has discovered over
100 asteroids from his backyard with CCD gear.
Just wanted to raise another consideration,
Tom Krajci
Capt Tom Krajci
B-52 Intelligence Officer
"In God we trust, all others we monitor!"
http://spur.barksdale.af.mil