Re: ATM Setting Circles.

[Wayne Topa <wtopa@dmcom.net>]

	Subject: RE: ATM Setting Circles.
	Date: Mon, Aug 06, 2001 at 05:24:59PM -0600

In reply to:Tom & Lou Krajci

Quoting Tom & Lou Krajci(krajcit@3lefties.com):
> 
> > From: "Lamendola, Nicholas M" <Nick.Lamendola@usa.xerox.com>
> 
> > I was wondering if any one can point me to a good site where I can learn
> how
> > to setup and use or add setting circles to a small dob I am building. I am
> > just getting started in really trying to locate objects and think that
> > learning how to use setting circles will be beneficial. Are setting
> circles
> > easier to use to find an object than star hopping from a know
> > location/object and a star chart?
> 
> I don't have a slick website describing it, but I've written some cheesy
> QBASIC code that will run on any 286/386/486/pentium machine that converts
> RA/Dec (celestial coordinates) to alt/az (what your dob moves in)...and
> further converts to 'tape measure' and 'protractor'...in other words a tape
> measure wrapped around your dob base, and a protractor mounted on the
> elevation trunnion.

I have to jump in to say that the program Tom wrote is not 'cheesy'!
I have used it for about a year and find it very useful.  It has help
me stay 'pointed' while I get my Melsonian completed.
> 
> It can help a great deal to find faint fuzzies in urban (not many stars to
> see) nightscapes...and does pretty good to find planets in broad daylight.
> 
> While my stuff is not all that simple, it's free...and I'll help you with
> whatever questions you have.  If you have a junked 286/386 laying
> about...you're well on your way to having alt/az setting circles on your
> dob.
> 
> Hope this helps,
> Tom Krajci
> 
> 

-- 
What boots up must come down.
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