[Aavso-photometry] Bruce Gary's book and other material

[Jeff Hopkins]

Hi Russ,

Don't feel bad. While few talk about finding the right stars, it is 
not as easy as many make it out to be, particularly the fainter 
stars. I always plan 2 or 3 evenings just making sure I am on the 
right stars and getting a feel for what the data should be 
(particularly the comparison stars). I also print out the star field 
as seen from my setup  (with CCD at least) so next time it will be 
easier to make sure I am on the right stars. Once I am confident, I 
start taking data for real. Even with an aligned and adjusted GOTO 
scope, you still may have a hard time determining if you are looking 
at what you want. Many times you can see star patterns that look 
right, but are not. It takes practice.

I'll second the not recommended GEms. The best photometry is near the 
zenith where GEMs work the poorest. A fork mount is much superior.

See you at SAS.

Jeff


At 10:33 -0700 05/14/2008, Russ Garrett wrote:
>I have read Bruce Gary's book and other books on variable stars, binaries,
>etc..  I have even been with Bruce Gary on 2 or 3 observing sessions and he
>makes it look so easy.
>
>However, I still have trouble with the basics such as what stars am I really
>looking at and other things with my CCD camera.
>
>Is the best tool to help determine this Pinpoint? I am going to the SAS
>meeting next week and I will check with Bob Denny to make sure everything is
>licensed and working properly with MaximDL. The full version of pinpoint
>requires an upgrade.
>
>I just hate spending time screwing around with the telescope to make sure
>everything is right. I have a CGE14 and sometimes wonder if a Paramount
>would make life easier or just create more complex problems. However, that
>reminds me that Bruce Gary says a GEM is not recommended for Exoplanet and
>other all night projects requiring a high degree of accuracy due to the
>meridian flip. He uses a Meade LX200 14" and has excellent results. I guess
>its not the equipment as much as knowing what you are doing.
>
>I am just frustrated. I feel like selling my scope and buying a boat a lot
>of times!
>Thanks
>Russ Garrett

-- 
Jeff Hopkins
HPO SOFT
Counting Photons
http://www.hposoft.com/Astro/astro.html
Hopkins Phoenix Observatory
7812 West Clayton Drive
Phoenix, Arizona 85033-2439 U.S.A.
(623)849-5889
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