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gumbatman
member
Reged: 06/12/09
Posts: 22
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Hello,
Still a super newbie but finding so much information here. Thanks! 
As I am reading more and more, the manual said that you can track a satellite with the ETX-80? Do I have that right? Even though I read it, I feel that I am missing something.
If so, do I need to download/update software? Then I assume I also need to purchase the Astrofinder software and connector. Is that purchase worth it?
Thanks for the help.
-Gumbatman
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brianb11213
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/25/09
Posts: 2081
Loc: 55.215N 6.554W
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Quote:
do I need to download/update software?
If you have the #497 Autostar then you don't need any extra software but you do need to upload the orbital elements for the satellite(s) that you want to track as they change fairly rapidly. This is easily done using the software that comes with the scope but you do need a serial cable to connect your PC & the Autostar, plus very probably a USB to serial converter since few PCs have serial ports these days.
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Jerry3672
Vendor - Quantum Astronomy Products
Reged: 01/20/08
Posts: 498
Loc: Lexington NC
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The ETX80 should have an Autostar 494, and yes you can track satellites. The software is pre loaded on your Autostar. Here is a link to a tutorial i wrote on how to track with an ETX80.
http://www.weasner.com/etx/autostar/as_satellite.html
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Meade LXD75-SN-8, SN-10, C11
DSI Pro
Canon XSi 450D unmod
www.spike-a.com Bahtinov Style Focus Mask
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Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3600
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
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Or you can go here and download the free tracking software--
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/satellitetracker/
Works with a laptop and 497 controller---
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LX90 8" LNT, SV Nighthawk & TelePOD, SV 80/9D & M4 mount, ETX 90, Orion XT10i, 20x80 binoculars, SV-BV3s-- www.texasastro.org
"Great minds discuss ideas;Average minds discuss events;Small minds discuss people." Unknown
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gumbatman
member
Reged: 06/12/09
Posts: 22
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Thank you all for the great info! I really appreciate it. You have saved me hours of research.
-Gumbatman
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gumbatman
member
Reged: 06/12/09
Posts: 22
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OK, now this is a silly question...Can you see satellites with the ETX-80?
In another recent post I mentioned how I was a little disappointed about the Saturn is the size of a period. I am a big boy and can handle that.
So my question here is to manage my expectations. Will I see a little flashing from a dot that streaks across the sky, will I be able to read the serial and model number off the side of it, or something in between.
Thanks.
-Gumbatman
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brianb11213
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/25/09
Posts: 2081
Loc: 55.215N 6.554W
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Quote:
Will I see a little flashing from a dot that streaks across the sky, will I be able to read the serial and model number off the side of it, or something in between.
The larger sats, especially the ISS, you should be able to see considerable detail ... but most of them will remain just "moving stars".
Edited by brianb11213 (06/17/09 02:24 PM)
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caheaton
super member
Reged: 05/26/09
Posts: 155
Loc: SW Ohio
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On a related note, it's amazing just how many are up there. 30 years ago, it was a treat (at least for me) to observe a satellite in orbit. The other night I was out with my ETX-80 (my first "light at night" with it) and I saw at least 2 that I remember (it might have been three) drift through the FOV. It must be tough to get decent astro photos these days! (And any future lunar missions will probably require a cattle catcher like they used to put onto steam locomotives just to blast a hole through all the junk up there!)
Craig 
Edited by caheaton (06/17/09 02:34 PM)
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brianb11213
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/25/09
Posts: 2081
Loc: 55.215N 6.554W
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Quote:
It must be tough to get decent astro photos these days!
Median or kappa sigma stacking is your friend ... bye bye flaws that appear on only one frame, if it's not satellites there is plenty of aircraft traffic to mess up your images. But, as you say, there is a lot of carp up there these days - it used to be a special event to see a satellite, especially a naked eye one; who remembers Pageos & Echo?
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