[Aavso-photometry] Aavso-photometry Digest, Vol 47, Issue 12

[Sal Giambruno]

Bob,

It's very reassuring to hear that positive, indeed valuable results can be obtained at a minimum of cost (in reference to your camera, not your scope) and complexity.  From what I've read, magnitude 16 would definitely cover a large swath of observable targets and I suspect, most types of observing requirements.  I imagine that even 12th magnitude with significant accuracy would provide respectable variety and opportunity.  Are you imaging under dark skies?  Do you calibrate with flats, darks and bias frames?

I haven't yet undertaken any attempt to understand Reduction although, if I recall correctly, it has to do with normalizing stellar magnitudes derived from observations taken at varying "glancing" sky angles to account for a varying air mass?  My lack of knowledge in this area should hint as to where I stand in my VSO progress.

So far, I have only attempted to estimate only a handful of variables - all visual, using a small refractor under the light-polluted skies of I-don't-know-why-they-call-it "Greater" Los Angeles.

I just-last-night received a pair of custom rings for mounting my 7" Russian MCT (Mak-Cass) to my GoTo NJP, and wouldn't you know it, the sky is completely and utterly overcast.  I hope to achieve similar performance as you, limited in comparison potentially by my suburban skies and certainly by my slightly-reduced light gathering capacity.  Oh, and of course, initially I will be working visual-only.  I intend to heed the advice of the AAVSO manual and perform at least 100 visual observations before I even consider CCD.  I really want to get a feel for the process.

From another perspective, my understanding of variables and their types and classifications is also rather limited.  I have to date taken in only a general overview, but have no intimate understanding of any of it.  I suppose I will gain this understanding in due time, as I invest and take particular interest in observations made personally.

I hope to share the learning and discovery with you as we move into the wonderful universe of VSO through nearly coincidental slices of Space-Time!

Salvatore "Sal" Giambruno (GSA)

----- Original Message ----
From: Bob Crumrine <rcrumrin at rochester.rr.com>
To: Sal Giambruno <salgiambruno at yahoo.com>
Cc: AAVSO-Photometry <aavso-photometry at mira.aavso.org>
Sent: Monday, October 15, 2007 5:04:21 PM
Subject: Re: [Aavso-photometry] Aavso-photometry Digest, Vol 47, Issue 12

Hi Sal,

So far it's working out pretty well and I'm definitely having fun.  The 
only negative I've seen is the chip is a bit small, but with the F3.3 
focal reducer I get a field of about 18x25 minutes, small for large 
galaxies, but plenty for any star field I expect to image.  I'm finding 
it's a plus not having it too big because even with the small size chip 
I can take ~200 MB of pictures a night! 

It's not cooled so may have some noise issues if you push it, but then 
not having cooling makes it simpler for a beginner to set up and use.  
With a V filter, I can see 16th magn stars in a 90 second exposure, but 
12th magn or so is the faintest that would produce accuracy 
significantly better than visual in that situation. 

The reduction software that comes with it is adequate but not the best; 
I've had several suggestions to get AIP4WIN so it's on order. 

Arne and Gary have been very helpful, as have others.

So, what do you have and how far along are you?

Bob

Sal Giambruno wrote:
> Hi Bob,
>
> Yes, congratulations on your new entry into CCD VSO!  I am excited about taking that first step myself.
>
> Could you provide some insight into your experience using the DSI-1?   It seems like a most affordable way of getting into CCD, but I was curious as to its possible limitations for use in CCD VSO, if any.
>
> Thanks,
> Sal Giambruno (GSA)
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: "aavso-photometry-request at mira.aavso.org" <aavso-photometry-request at mira.aavso.org>
> To: aavso-photometry at mira.aavso.org
> Sent: Monday, October 15, 2007 9:00:01 AM
> Subject: Aavso-photometry Digest, Vol 47, Issue 12
>
>
>
>
> -----Inline Message Follows-----
>
> Hello,
>
> I just got up and going with a Meade DSI 1 Monochrome ($129), V-filter 
> and F/3.3 focal reducer for my 8" LX-200 and after submitting my second 
> observation realized I need to develop a way to keep track of what I've 
> submitted.  For these two observations I just printed out the photometry 
> reduction file but don't think this will scale well once I get to where 
> I'd like to be.  I'm sure I could pull them from WebOps if I get 
> confused, but was thinking of a master spreadsheet, copying the relevant 
> info from the reduction file.  Any tried and true methods out there?
>
> Thanks,
> Bob Crumrine (CRR)
> Fairport, NY near Rochester
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