guide scope with RC ?

Started by mintakax, 10/07/2002 05:35PM
Posted 10/07/2002 05:35PM Opening Post
Hi-- I'm not sure if this is the appropriate forum or not, but anyways.... I am wondering if people have been successful using a piggy back guide scope when imaging on Ritchey-Chretien telescopes ? If so, how long an exposure is possible at particular elevations before any kind of mirror movement screws things up ?

Thanks,
Dan
Posted 10/08/2002 05:15PM #1
This varies a lot from one RC to the next. I know folks who are having good success with this approach, no concerns at all about mirror shift during 10-20 minute exposures. Unfortunately, I know many others who are having unusually large mirror shifts and are unable to use external guide scopes.

This applies to scopes from both of the manufacturers I am familiar with, RC Optical and OGS. The best answer here is to do what others have done: If you experience excessive mirror shift, contact the manufacturer and have it taken care of. The mirror shift should meet the manufacturer's specs, and if it doesn't they should fix it under warranty.

Ron Wodaski
author of "The New CCD Astronomy"
http://www.newastro.com

Ron Wodaski
New Astronomy Press
http://www.newastro.com