6 replies to this topic

[Gutted]

Currently, my rig is as follows:

 

William Optics Pleiades 68
William Optics UniGuide 32mm
ZWO ASI 2600MC Pro
ZWO ASI120MM-Mini Camera
ZWO ASIAIR Plus 256GB
Emcan EM31Pro mount
Emcan TC44S tripod
ZWO EAF
ZWO 2" EFW

 

After doing some nice pics of nebulas and bigger galaxies, and then "discovering" an asteroid using Blink, I have been feeling like I want to do more.

And that's when I stumbled onto the subject of Exoplanets and it seems that, with my rig, I am not going to be able to do anything fainter than ~13-14 magnitude, with 12 being the likely barrier.

 

I have been looking at getting a ZWO ASI2600MM Duo to help introduce more precision into the guiding process, while moving to monochrome, which everything I have read, suggests is better than color.

For a modest increase in scope aperture, I have been looking at the following scopes:

 

Apertura CarbonStar 150 Imaging Newtonian (possibly with 0.95x Coma Corrector)

Apertura CarbonStar 6" Ritchey-Chretien (possibly a Apertura 0.67x Ritchey-Chrétien Focal Reducer | I might be able to convince myself the $$$ is worth it to go to the 8")

 

Which will likely be the best bet, given their differences, setup headaches, etc?

 

~Thanks in advance for any input provided!

[GaryShaw]

Hi

If You are serious about learn to image, analyze and report exoplanet transit observations, you need to start at the Exoplanet Section of the AAVSO. Here’s a link directly to the Section: https://www.aavso.or...oplanet-section

 

Follow the link I’ve provided, find the Exoplanet ‘Guide’ and read the first part of the Guide which provides information on what equipment, knowledge and skills are required for this work and ask yourself if this fits with your own personal and equipment resources. You should also watch the YouTube video linked below and hear first hand what’s involved. The presenter is Dennis Conti, the Exoplanet Section Leader for the AAVSO. Dennis also plays a central role in working with the TESS satellite team that is following up on evaluating exoplanet ‘candidates’ identified by TESS. 

https://youtu.be/Duf...C3xWzvkS9O3pxJb

There’s a great deal involved and a lot to learn if one is interested in contributing to exoplanet science. The resources mentioned above will get you started. You might also check out NASA Exoplanet Watch which offers an alternative, simpler pathway to contributing to the science. 
Good luck,

Gary

[Gutted]

Hi

If You are serious about learn to image, analyze and report exoplanet transit observations, you need to start at the Exoplanet Section of the AAVSO. Here’s a link directly to the Section: https://www.aavso.or...oplanet-section

 

Follow the link I’ve provided, find the Exoplanet ‘Guide’ and read the first part of the Guide which provides information on what equipment, knowledge and skills are required for this work and ask yourself if this fits with your own personal and equipment resources. You should also watch the YouTube video linked below and hear first hand what’s involved. The presenter is Dennis Conti, the Exoplanet Section Leader for the AAVSO. Dennis also plays a central role in working with the TESS satellite team that is following up on evaluating exoplanet ‘candidates’ identified by TESS. 

https://youtu.be/Duf...C3xWzvkS9O3pxJb

There’s a great deal involved and a lot to learn if one is interested in contributing to exoplanet science. The resources mentioned above will get you started. You might also check out NASA Exoplanet Watch which offers an alternative, simpler pathway to contributing to the science. 
Good luck,

Gary

Thank you for your reply.

That sounds like a good idea. I am aware of both AAVSO (probably D/Led several things related to them already) and NASA Exoplanet Watch but with things going on in my life, have been delinquent on diving in to do all the reading.

[SeymoreStars]

Put your money where your mount is.

[Gutted]

Put your money where your mount is.

I already have a good mount and the topic was about optics, but thanks for the comment.

[SeymoreStars]

I already have a good mount and the topic was about optics, but thanks for the comment.

Okay I did not see it listed in your post or sig.

[Randyf2017]

Gary’s comments are spot on.