Re: [APML] Best Scope and mount for $2000 was Scope Question

[Rob Miracle <rwm@photo-miracles.com>]

At 12:07 AM 3/8/2002 -0500, you wrote:

>>Viewing is really not that important.   I've oooohhhed and aaahhhed at 
>>the great nebula in Orion.  But after that, whats to see?
>
>Hi Rob,
>
>There is only the rest of the universe to see!  It is a subtle hobby 
>though, not for the M-TV generation.

Well, I've tried pointing the scope at other objects and frankly a lot of 
nebulas and deep sky objects are just fuzz balls unless you are 
photographing them.  The eye can't capture enough photons to make a good 
visual.  Thats why we need to take long exposures, so we can capture them, no?

>>But for deep sky work, and shooting a few galaxies here and there would 
>>be cool, the 8" from what I've read should be a good sized scope.   Of 
>>all the scopes, other than a refractor, its the best when dealing with 
>>camera's attached.
>
>
>Ok, then, if that's what you've read, then that is definitely what you 
>should do.  I'm going to bet that you are the kind of person who only 
>learns the hard way.<G>

Well, my main source of information is Covington's Astrophotography for the 
Amateur.

>>   I still have trouble understanding why a scope with a GOTO computer 
>> that supposed to be able to track cant track without an Equatorial 
>> mount.   If it can point to object A in the sky, it should be able to 
>> point to it in the sky 5 minutes from now.

I'm a computer programmer by nature.   If I can point at object A now, why 
can't I point at it now+5?  I understand the rotational stuff, but if the 
software is smart enough, it should be able to adjust for the 
rotation.   The problem, I assume is the software isn't smart enough.

>If you don't understand this, then you are not ready to take pictures with 
>an equatorial mount...

Possibly not, but I'm not getting anywhere new with fixed tripod shots 
either.   I shot some stuff this week.  I got some good 8-15 second 
exposures of constellations, on my D1 (it was cold enough that the dark 
current noise wasn't too bad).  I shot some 3-5 minute exposures pointed at 
Polaris on film so I have to wait and see what came out there.  I'm hoping 
for some nice star trails.

I guess I need to read Covington some more.


Thanks,
Rob
--
Rob Miracle
Photographic Miracles
203 Carpenter Brook Dr.
Apex, NC 27502
http://www.photo-miracles.com


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