Posts Made By: Wayne Adams

I have just recently started to get into astrophotography.On a roll of 36exp. I got 4 pretty good widefield shots of M31and the Milkyway thru Cygnus back in Sept.via piggyback atop my C8.I am thinking of buying a Meade 201 or a preowned ST4.I have heard wonderful things about the autoguide capabilities of the ST4 but the ccd is much less than "state of the art".I do not know much about the reliability of the 201xt.I plan to progress from piggyback to prime focus to ccd imaging.I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions anyone can give me to get pointed in the right direction.

I will be getting into Prime focus Photography this spring or when it gets warmer(whichever comes first).I am preparing to "tool up" for this endeaver.I was looking at the Taurus-Tech Tracker III OAG but was wondering if I could get some feedback from anyone who has used one or is more familiar with OAG in general.I also plan to do some CCD imaging in the future.I want to be sure I get off on tne right foot.

I will soon be making my first telescope.A friend has given me (2)objective lenses of approx.76mm,focal length around 600mm,and ratio around f6.7.These umbers are not written in stone,I have yet to do the actual measurements.My fist passion was woodworking which I have been doing for 10yrs so naturally I thought I would make the scope from wood more specifically Australian Lacewood(gorgeous species,tight graind,closed celled and stable) or quarter-sawn white oak.

I would like to ask anyone who has already had expierience in what I am about to do for any advice or things that I may encounter along the way that I would nor forsee with my chosen materials.

I have seen ads in the publications for telescope building supplies(hardware,focusers,etc.)for reflectors but not refractors.Can anyone point me in the right direction?From looking at the previous 10 messages I think I will make the tripod legs from Black Walnut.Any help or advise would surely be appreciated.

Wayne W.

I recently visited a friend who owns a beautiful parallelegram made by Grandview.It is my understanding they are no longer made.Does anyone know where I may be able to find one or something very similar.My second passion is woodworking so I could also fabricate something similar although having the metal components would be more desirable.Any information would be greatly appreciated.