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My Observing Setup It takes about 15 minutes to move the computer and telescope to this location and begin collecting images when using the webcam. Several hours are required for setup and alignment for deep sky work. I have glued large washers to the driveway to help reposition the scope in the same location each night. Here is a link to a page that discusses the analysis and training of the LX200GPS Perodic Error using PemPro. Here is a link to a page that discussed the optical analysis of the LX200GPS collimation and field curvature. My computer is 1.2 Ghz, 512Meg, 120 Gbytes. Monitor is 1280x1024 VGA The ladder is to allow access to the collimation nobs. All images were collected from this location near White Rock Lake, 5 miles from the center of Dallas, Tx. One of my neighbors security lights is visible in the background. |
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Telescope Meade LX200GPS 12" Schmidt-Cassegrain William Optics Megrez 80mm F6 Refractor 2 x Celestron Barlow 3x Tele-Vue Barlow 5x Tele-Vue Power Mate Numerous Eyepieces Superwedge (modified), Wheeleybars |
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Web Cameras 659 x 494 Pixels, Color 10 bit x 3 (RGB), 5.6 x 5.6 um Pixels, USB Interface, (1-2 FPS for 640x480, 5-6 FPS for 320x240) Considerably more sensitive than the Philips Vesta Pro 680. Webcam Software Adobe PhotoShop 5.5 - Image Adjustments IRIS - Camera control, AVI Conversion & Processing |
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Deep Sky Camera SBIG ST-8XME and CFW-8A color filter wheel. This camera was bought as a used ST-7E (parallel version). I later upgraded the chip to transform it into a ST-8ME (still parallel version). In 2006 I upgraded this camera again to add the USB interface and larger guide chip.
Deep Sky Camera Software CCDSoft, CCDOPS, AIP4Win, Photoshop 5.5, PemPro, Sigma Clip, FocusMax. |
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SBIG AO-7 Adaptive Optics unit. This device is almost a requirement to image with an LX200 at F10. |