Posts Made By: Marty Pinson

I may be completely wrong but I get the impression that film on planets is not as good as CCD's. I am wanting to get into astroimaging but cant decide whether to go digital or film. I think I would prefer film as most of the DSO's I have seen look a lot better than any CCD (under a $3000 model)image. Back to my question, what are the problems with film and planets, if you think there is a problem?

One more question, where on the net would one find developing supplies and equipment? If I go film I want to put the extra cash into a dark room. I really don't have a clue on how or what is needed to develope negatives for scanning.

I seen in the photo section where several threads was referring to flats. Something about a bed sheet?

I am leaning toward starting astroimaging with film rather than CCD. But I would want to be able to develope my own film and scan the negatives. Is this system all that is needed for processing film?

http://focuscamera.com/sc/main_item.asp?id=562377002&lhalf=allacc

I wouldn't be that interested in making prints just the negatives.

Thanks
Marty
Crandall, GA

I get what the RGB is but what is the "L"? I think it is Lumanance but exactly what is that? Real begginer here still shopping.

Marty
Crandall, GA

Anybody ever seen any plans for a home built pier that adjust the elevation. I seen a commercial one for $1500. I would like a cheaper solution if one lies out there. I have been through all of Bill Arnett's links but came up empty.

Looking for a source other that APM-USA for a matched Synta 150mm and chromacor. With some of the other post I am a little leary about APM. At least with that kind of money.

Thanks
Marty
Crandall, GA

Opinions on the combination. Would like to mount one on a G11. Does the chromacor really approach APO views?

We set up for a star party last night. It had been complete overcast all day but just as the sun was it looked like it would break. The Moon would pop in and out but after about 10 kids got a peak the hole closed. This was my first time at a public star party. I was surprised at the turnout considering the weather. Must have been at least 50 kids and thier parents there. The kids seem to enjoy just looking over the equipment. I kept a pretty good crowd around mine just checking out the telrad. The parents thought the telrad was neat too.

We decided to tell everyone we would be back tonight. The weather is suppose to be a lot better. Can't wait! I seem to enjoy showing first timers something in the sky more then when I find something new. I just like watching thier reaction.

Clear Skies, PLEASE
Marty
Crandall, GA

Dr. Thomas Bopp was the guest speaker at my club last night. It was a great presentation and discovery. There were so many things against him the night he co-discovered Comet Hale-Bopp. A lot of you guys may know some of the details but I thought I would post them for anyone interested.

He said he was suffering from withdrawal because the weather in Arizona had been cloudy for weeks. A friend of his called on a night when the sky cleared and wanted to get first light with his just finished home made 17.5” Dobsonian. Here are a few things he had to deal with that could have prevented the discovery all together:

After loading his car he found that it wouldn’t run. As far myself I would have called it a night, But Dr. Bopp borrowed his Father’s car and drove the 90 miles to a sight in the desert.

He and his buddy were looking at a globular in Sagittarius. Being they were using a Dob the cluster would try and drift out of the FOV. Dr. Bopp decided to let it drift and see what else he could see in the area. What if he had went to another deep sky object?

He noticed something fuzzy that he couldn’t focus. Comet Hale-Bopp was 11 magnitude that night. It’s amazing to me that anybody could pick out an 11 mag fuzzy in that crowded region. Plus you have to consider that he admittedly is not a comet hunter.

After checking the charts and deciding it was a comet he tried to call a friend at an observatory. Unfortunately his friend was out of the country. With no phone number to report the discovery he tried to call information for a number when his cell phone battery died. He drove to a truck stop and was trying to send a western union message but realized he didn’t have the address. After arriving home he finally got the address and sent the message. A few hours later the call came in that he had discovered a new comet.

What a night that must have been. I enjoyed the presentation and ended up with a autographed poster of the comet. He asked if I wanted it personalized and I said yes. I asked him to right “To Marty, Sorry!” The sorry being an apology for starting me on this obsession, commonly called Astronomy. See Comet Hale-Bopp is what started me on my quest.

Marty Pinson
Crandall, GA

Is the aluminum tripod legs the only short comings of the LXD 55's?

Marty Pinson
Crandall, GA