Re: [ATM] Need Advice on Mounting & Driving a 16 Inch Newtonian

[Adam Krause <krausea34@yahoo.com>]

David,

I would recommend checking out Mel Bartels site.  This
is a good, hands on way to automate a homemade scope. 
There is provision in this system for field
de-rotation for alt-azimuth scopes.

http://www.bbastrodesigns.com/BBAstroDesigns.html

I have made an equatorial mount scope using this
system.  I just have the focuser rotated up about 45
degrees and I usually don't have any viewing problems.
 It's probably less convenient then alt-azimuth, but I
have been able to put up with it.  I haven't needed
any rotating cage.  With the equatorial system I
haven't had to worry about field rotation.

I wouldn't rely on image software to get rid of your
field rotation, I would get hardware that did the job
right so you can take long exposures.

-Adam Krause


--- David Sleeter <d.sleeter@roadrunner.com> wrote:

> For ME,
> at least with my limited understanding, the
> advantage of the altazimuth
> mount is simplity of construction and ease-of-use
> for visual observing (no
> need for a rotating cage for the diagonal and
> eyepiece), but it introduces
> the problem of field rotation when doing
> long-exposure astrophotography.

> On the other hand, an equatorial mount eliminates
> the problem of field
> rotation for photography, but it requires the
> construction of the rotating
> cage for the eyepiece & diagonal, and overall use
> for visual might be less
> convenient.

> But then again, I THINK I've heard that today's
> image-processing software
> can compensate for field rotation.


       
____________________________________________________________________________________
Looking for a deal? Find great prices on flights and hotels with Yahoo! FareChase.
http://farechase.yahoo.com/
_______________________________________________
ATM mailing list http://www.atmlist.net/