Posts Made By: Derrick Lipinski

Perfect focus Steven.

A truly beautiful shot!!

Derrick.

Alan, you got some remarkable detail. Very nice image.

Great work.

Derrick.

Yet another beautiful image Rick.

Keep posting, I'm always eager to see your work.

Derrick.

Nice work Andrew.

I really like the stark black background.

Derrick

Beautifully processed image.

Very nice contrast.

Derrick.

Great images Dennis.

I really liked the movie showing the comet's movement.

Great stuff.

Derrick.

Hi John.

The actual rotation depends a lot on when your photography is taken. that is to say, the change in rotation is not constant. It changes relative to your orientation to Saturn as well as it's position in the sky. You may have been taking your photos during a time when the rotation may have been more accelerated.

One way to predict the amount of rotation is by using an astronomy software package like Starry Night. There are many out there which would allow you to predict, with pretty reasonable accuracy, what amount of rotation to expect, and in what time frame to expect it.

In addition, although 80 photos is a lot to be dealing with, it seems to me one method would be to manually rotate the individual frames using convntional photo processing software such as Adobe Photoshop or Paint shop pro prior to aligning in Registax. Place a straight piece of tape over your monitor along an identifiable axis. This would serve as a guide to help rotate all of the images to a common axis.

It does sound like a lot of work, but I can't think of any other alternatives for the photos already taken.

I use an LX200GPS in Alt-Az config in conjunction with a de-rotator to compensate. You may want to consider this kind of option, although I'm not sure what types of de-rotators are available for your type of mount.

Best of luck,

Derrick.

Hi John.

I got in late on this discussion. I recently took delivery of my new 14" LX200GPS in September. I started out with an LX90 (which I intend to keep). I considered the price difference for the extra 2" of aperture coupled with the fact that the 14" may still be portable enough to take away from the city.

I can't really comment on the 16" as I have only once looked through the one here at the Space and Science Centre in Edmonton.

I am not a seasoned veteran, but I will say that the 14" is one very impressive telescope. Providing you add the Peterson grips, it is portable (I find anyway). I routinely move this scope in and out of the house and can have it set up in 10 minutes. I can't imagine doing that with a 16".

As far as optics and GOTO are concerned, well, I find both the LX90 and 14" LX200GPS are exquisite. I don't think you would be disappointed with a 14". I don't have a single complaint - and you could use the exta money you would save to buy a whole bunch of accessories!

Best of luck, John, I'm sure you'll be happy whichever route you take. I have added an image I took with my 14". Sorry for the duplication, this image was recently posted on another forum, I hope nobody minds. I just wanted to show you what this telescope can be capable of in moderate seeing conditions. (I have never collimated it, by the way).

James, it's great to hear you got another 14". I cringed when I saw what you were asking and the fact that nobody seemed to be interested. Wow, I would've bought yours, had I not already had one!

Clear and Steady Skies to all.

Derrick.

Hi Ken.

I own an LX90 as well as a 14" LX200GPS.

I started out with the LX90 last march as a visual observer. I also added a Mead 1209 microfucuser that I am using with the stock 1 1/4" diagonal and it fits perfectly - No problem clearing the base. I found the microfocuser to be a welcomed addition. I had no need to upgrade to a 2" diagonal as I found this instument has fantastic optics as is. The GOTO accuracy is outstanding. I can't comment on other brands as I have not used them. I can only tell what a wonderful telescope the LX90 really is.

I recently upgraded to a 14" LX200GPS with the "thought" I would be selling my LX90. The trouble is that I love the LX90 so much, I no longer have any desire to sell it. I have it sitting in my dining room next to the deck so my children can have a quick view of Saturn and Jupiter before they go to school. It is so portable that I can take it outside and have it set up in a couple of minutes. Alignment is very simple, quick and accurate. It is also good and solid in AltAz mode - vibrations are dampened out quickly. If you are a visual observer, I don't think you will be disappointed. I still have a lot of fun with mine even though I have a 14".

I made my own 505 cable for about $8.00 and can download the lated ephemeris and firmware with no problems. I have even hooked my LX90 to my computer and drove it with Starry Night Pro. This telescope is a hoot. I don't want to go on and on, but I am very happy with mine. See if you can try one before you buy.

Best of luck.

Derrick.

As far as an LX90 is concerned, in actuality, if you know the major stars of the sky, all you really have to do is level the instrument base and do a two star alignment without ever having to worry where north is.

Let's say you know the stars Capella and Arcturus (try to use two stars at opposing ends of the sky). Unlock the R.A. and Dec. knobs so the OTA swings freely. Choose two star alignment (or easy align) and choose the first star (say, Capella) and press enter. The motors will whirr away but you'll notice that nothing happens, as it shouldn't since you unlocked the R.A. and Dec gears. When Autostar asks you to centre Capella (and beeps), simply manually point the telscope to Capella (assuming you know where it is), lock up the R.A. and Dec and fine tune using the Autostar controls. When you choose the second star and press enter again, the telescope should then point you very close to the second star (say it's Arcturus). From this point ONLY use the Autostar controls to centre the star. You should have perfect alignment at that point without ever having to point the telescope north at all.

Levelling the OTA and Pointing it north ONLY serves to tell Autostar where to look to find the alignment star. If you already know where that alignment star is, you don't need north at all - magnetic or true.

Best of luck.

Derrick.