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rikhill
newbie


Reged: 12/07/05
Posts: 1
Loc: Tucson, AZ
Webcam Imaging with a Questar 3.5"
      #2517233 - 07/13/08 08:45 PM

Last Christmas I received a Questar 3.5 Standard model. I have been working at high resolution webcam imaging (for a 3.5") using techniques I have learned on my C14 over the years. Just last month (June, '08) I made some headway on this last month when I got the pipe pier in the ground in my back yard and the results can be seen at:
http://www.lpl.arizona.edu/~rhill/questar.html

In mid-June our "monsoon" began and it has been cloudy almost ever since or I'd have more posted. However, using the 2x barlow with a webcam the finger controls were too coarse. So taking a thought in Robert Reeves' book "Introduction to Webcam Imaging" I used a clothespin on the focuser but what to do about the RA and Dec.? After some prowling around I found that stainless hemostats work really well with a little bending and some duct tape to avoid scratching and abrading.

You can see the Questar at work and a close up of my jury-rig slow motions at the bottom of the above page.

-Rik

--------------------
-Rik
http://www.lpl.arizona.edu/~rhill/jlobs.html


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peashooter
member


Reged: 07/07/07
Posts: 73
Loc: Central USA
Re: Webcam Imaging with a Questar 3.5" new [Re: rikhill]
      #2517462 - 07/13/08 11:02 PM

Welcome to CN! What beautiful pictures - and a First Post yet!

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cbwerner
sage


Reged: 08/27/05
Posts: 491
Loc: Richmond, VA
Re: Webcam Imaging with a Questar 3.5" new [Re: rikhill]
      #2517502 - 07/13/08 11:28 PM

Rik,

Very impressive photos - and an ingenious setup to boot!

--------------------
Chris Werner


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Mapman
member


Reged: 09/08/06
Posts: 45
Loc: Kansas
Re: Webcam Imaging with a Questar 3.5" new [Re: rikhill]
      #2517709 - 07/14/08 03:00 AM

Very nice images!

... but what to do about the RA and Dec.?...

The Powerglide II (pn 19415), and motorized declination drive (p/n 19526) slow motion controls are available from Questar.

Edited by Mapman (07/14/08 03:01 AM)


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Clive GibbonsModerator
Mostly Harmless
*****

Reged: 05/26/05
Posts: 10237
Loc: Oort Cloud
Re: Webcam Imaging with a Questar 3.5" new [Re: rikhill]
      #2518239 - 07/14/08 12:50 PM

Thanks for the link, Rik and welcome!

Great pics.
Fine equipment, but it takes a talented operator to get such good results.

--------------------


A few telescopes of dubious value.
Understanding wife and three curious cats.

"Semper ubi sub ubi"


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