Re: ATM Astronomy Club's Choice: Big DOB or CCD?

["Wagner,Rick [NCR]" <Rick.Wagner2@ec.gc.ca>]

You mean like a 10" or 12.5" was a big scope 20 years ago? ;-)  But yes
I agree - a large dobsonian to start with and in a few years upgrade to
alt-az tracking is the way I would recommend to go.  The smaller scope
with a CCD can really only be used by one person at a time, doesn't
bring people together for observing, is limited as to what it can do -
for instance novices will be unlikely to ever use it.  The dob can
always have CCD added later, or members supply their own. 

Unfortunately, I haven't seen CCDs getting much cheaper.  The ST-6 has
been out for years and I don't think has dropped in price at all.  In
general they seem to increasing in capability but not coming down in
price - much like computers though much more slowly.  I sure hope you're
right and they will drop - I would like to be able to afford one...
someday.

And as far as a better site you must remember that there is a trade-off
in usage.  There are wonderful sites in Arizona but the Atlanta group
would be unlikely to make very much use of an observatory out there.
That being said, go as far out as you can while still keeping it within
range for the usage levels your club desires.  Light pollution is an
ever expanding curse and you can be almost guaranteed, no matter how
good the site, in 10 years there will have been a noticeable degradation
and people will be talking about moving it further out.

Rick Wagner
Ottawa Centre  RASC
45d27'16.6"N 75d31'34.9"W


>----------
>snip
>Art, This almost amounts to a no-brainer! Go for the 'scope!! A big
>telescope will always be a big telescope, but a state-of-the-art CCD
>will be a paper weight in two years. The cost of the telescope will go
>up, the cost of the same CCD will go drastically down as soon as the
>next generation comes along. Just look at anything electronic and
>extropolate.
>
>Also, find a better site, nothing will enhance you veiwing pleasure like
>a good observing site. Its bad enough, probably unavoidable now, that we
>will be relegated to a few dozen regional star parties in a few years. 
>*****-----
>Dan F.
snip