Posts Made By: Dan Huffman

New to this. What I would like to know if any one would be so kind is, on the wedge for my LX 90 I have a scale on the side for the longitude but there is no arrow or pointer to point to the scale to show if I am on 39 ? I was thinking that maybe it is the edge of the plate the telescope is attached to? Or it could be the wing nut that tightens over the scale? But is it the middle of the nut or one edge or the other? It would be nice to put a small white line on the area that is suppose to match the number.

Thanks Dan

Ok I definitely feel like a dummy now. To night was my 3rd night time ever with a telescope like this goto and I was out from 9:30 to 11:10 with my new use LX 90 and I still can't figure out what I am doing wrong in getting it to align. It has the wedge set to 39 for my longitude. The scope mount is set to polar in setup. The Latitude and Longitude is set correct. Time date and location set. The wedge is pointing to Polaris as well as the scope is aligned on Polaris in the eye piece. I use align to 2 stars. It starts on Polaris. I next chose Dubhe and it slews to point strait down? So I start over and choose Kocob and again it slews strait down? It thinks every thing is strait down? What in the world am I doing Wrong? When I say the wedge is pointed to the north or Polaris the level is aimed at me and the forks are leaning back towards me. I thought maybe the forks should lean away from me but when I tried turning it around that way it seems impossible to use because the finder scope looks like it will hit the forks? Any help will be hugely appreciated. With not knowing any thing about this I don't know if somthing is wrong with the telescope. I sure hope not. I will be much better if it is me the operater.

Thanks Dan

Hi all, Is any one using a Meade DSI imager that can share with me how to use the drizzle filter to reduce rotation ? I was trying to take a picture of NGC 2264 and even though I got a pretty nice picture for being a newbe one week useing a telescope and DSI experiance total. But I have trails and the large stars are stretched. I was using 9.6 exposure to get the nebulae to show up. Never quite shows up as brilliant as the live picture though but still fairly nice looking. I think my 2 problems are not having the telescope perfectly aligned because it never quite gets right on a star with the goto. I always have to adjust it. the other problem is I am not sure where to draw the boxes. I draw them on the brightest star but maybe I should make the boxes bigger? Or further apart?

What do you experienced guy's think?
Here is a picture to show the trails.

Ok guys I know I should be in the newbe group but I need to know if any one can tell me when using a wedge with a LX 90 and a CCD should I not use the drizzle filter? I took pictures with out the drizzle because I could not get the connection to work with the telescope. And there was no rotation. I found out later the imaging software could not connect because I had to disconnect Autostarsuite first. I took pictures using the drizzle when I could connect and the pictures had rotation of the nebula? And when taking a picture of Saturn it would rotate one way then the other. Looked like an atom when it was done. I wonder if I am drawing the box wrong or should only use one box? I looked at all your pictures and they are so fantastic! I only have an 8" but hopeful I can get a few good shots with practice. I do need a 3.3 focal reducer.
Also after only about 34 pictures it seems to stop by it self? IS that because my PC is to slow maybe? I was told to get Star ware the book but haven't yet.

Can't wait till the sky clears and I can get back to this.

Thanks Dan

Yup, You guy's that said the wedge was backwards were right I think. I tried setting up the scope today remembering where the stars were last night and told the scope it was last night and went through the moves. I could tell it was going the right directions. I am running out side every 10 minuets tonight looking at the clouds hoping they will clear. I want to try it out tonight if I can. Hell with the cold this is fun.
Thank you all for your support!

Dan