Re: [APML] science value of 35mm slides

[Jerry Lodriguss <lists3@astropix.com>]

At 10:34 AM 3/21/2005, you wrote:
>     My inexperienced enthusiasm makes me want to continue on the track of
>scientific value but at the same time the little experience I do have want's
>me to question their value....  One of my goals with photographing, and
>hopefully before my death, is to have at least one photo used for some kind
>of scientific use.  Maybe for tracking star movement, or for cataloging
>stars, or even for a classroom environment of some kind.  Something that
>says the effort I have made in getting good sharp pictures today pays for it
>self in the future by being used by my self or someone(s) else.  So My
>question is;  Have 35mm slides been used in the past for scientific uses
>other then just pretty pictures?

Yes, you can make scientific discoveries with 35mm slides.  Things like 
comets and nova.





>Have they been used for cataloging star
>positions,

Yes film has been used for this, but very long ago. It's not used for this 
anymore.




>have there been any discoveries made with 35mm slides, ect..


Yes, many... comets and novas



>   A
>second and related question; At what point is larger formats better then
>35mm?


Depends. Bigger film at a given focal length covers more angular area, so 
you could search more area of sky per exposure.  At what point it's better 
is a complicated question that can probably best be answered by the 
indiviudal photographer.






>Basically, how much scientific value is there in 35mm slides?

Some. It depends on how dedicated you are personally to doing science with 
it.  Not many other people are going to look at anything an individual 
amateur astrophotographer shoots and try to do science with those images. 
You have to do the science part of it yourself. Then it has as much value 
as the quality of your effort.

Jerry






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