Hi all.
I'm inviting experienced GEM viewers and astrophotographers to come to my area to help with a basic GEM setup and correct alignment. Afterwards, I will provide plenty of beer.
I'm guessing it will be easiest if we went to the nearby carpark to set the CG5 & C8 up, then do some basic viewing & photos on whatever objects people like. I've done this before, but I'm sure I don't know everyting. Later head down to Pasir Ris park to have your fill of food & drinks by the beach.
Sound good? Please let me know.
thanks!
Mini Star party in Pasir Ris.
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Airconvent
- Super Moderator
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![[smilie=cute.gif]](./images/smilies/cute.gif "cute")
The first message was just asking if anyone was interested.
Ok, let me be more specific now.
I was originally thinking of taking the CG5, C8, and camera to the resturant on the beach. But that may be too much of a walk to push around the cart with the mount.
Instead, the carport is located near Pasir Ris, Street 52, Blk 513. That will be a short walk to carry all the equipment. 6pm should be a good time to show up, then we can assemble the mount and correctly align (I don't have a guider yet) while there's still some daylight. When it turns dark, we can begin tracking, viewing, and simple photos - hope to see or photo some Messier objects.
I'm expecting 2 min exposures MAX, so perhaps a drift alignment isn't necessary.
Later we go back to my place to drop off all the heavy stuff. Then I get a smaller scope and/or binoculars for the beach. We head on down to Pasir Ris park beach- WaterCrossing or SummerBreeze resturant (outdoor bar) for bottomless beer and some food. See some basic night sky objects, view the big boats go by, or see the flames from the oil refinery.
Again, I will appreciate any help or pointers to get the mount aligned well enough for basic photography. So all the beers are on me.![[smilie=cheer.gif]](./images/smilies/cheer.gif "cheer")
Anyway, this is my basic plan.
Ok, let me be more specific now.
I was originally thinking of taking the CG5, C8, and camera to the resturant on the beach. But that may be too much of a walk to push around the cart with the mount.
Instead, the carport is located near Pasir Ris, Street 52, Blk 513. That will be a short walk to carry all the equipment. 6pm should be a good time to show up, then we can assemble the mount and correctly align (I don't have a guider yet) while there's still some daylight. When it turns dark, we can begin tracking, viewing, and simple photos - hope to see or photo some Messier objects.
I'm expecting 2 min exposures MAX, so perhaps a drift alignment isn't necessary.
Later we go back to my place to drop off all the heavy stuff. Then I get a smaller scope and/or binoculars for the beach. We head on down to Pasir Ris park beach- WaterCrossing or SummerBreeze resturant (outdoor bar) for bottomless beer and some food. See some basic night sky objects, view the big boats go by, or see the flames from the oil refinery.
Again, I will appreciate any help or pointers to get the mount aligned well enough for basic photography. So all the beers are on me.
Anyway, this is my basic plan.
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orly_andico
- Posts: 1616
- Joined: Sun Aug 09, 2009 11:14 pm
- Location: Braddell Heights
- Contact:
You need a drift alignment.
In my experience even at 420mm focal length, a 30-second exposure on DSLR will show trails unless you drift-align.
EDIT: by trails I mean eggy stars at 100% view. I don't like trails.
If you rez down the image to web size (say 25% which is about 800x600 or so) then you won't see trails.
In my experience even at 420mm focal length, a 30-second exposure on DSLR will show trails unless you drift-align.
EDIT: by trails I mean eggy stars at 100% view. I don't like trails.
If you rez down the image to web size (say 25% which is about 800x600 or so) then you won't see trails.