I need help!

I recently "inherited" an older Meade LX200 EMC 12' SCT- I was also given an older SBIG ST-7 CCD with filter wheel and many other attachments that were used specifically with this telescope for imaging. The telescope came on an equatorial wedge as well so it's definitely set up for Astrophotography. The problem is I'm completely overwhelmed with it all. I really need a lesson from someone familiar with these components. I will pay by the hour if necessary. I work at a high school an am starting an astronomy club and need to know how to work this thing competently. All my experiences have been through Dobs and basic DSLR eyepiece projection photography. Please let me know if you'd be interested- I live in the Indianapolis area. Thank you.

Bill Zoeller
Hamilton Southeastern HS

I wish I were in Indiana. (Actually, my "people" were a generation ago.)

At any rate. USing a 12 inch Meade LX200 with an ST-7 will be overwhelming. Don't take it personally. THis is a great setup for extremely small planetaries, and dim galaxies. However, even with an F6.3 reducer/corrector, the combination of its great focal length and the ST-7's smallish chip makes this a challenge. You would probably be best off to find a short focus refractor to put on top the LX200, and use the ST-7/refractor riding on top to do the imaging until you learn what you are doing.

And yes, get a guru you can visit with regularly.

Alex