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

[Gary Billings]

Hang in there Russ!

It took me a lot of time to gain some proficiency at matching what's in 
the CCD image to a chart.  And to consistently move the scope the right 
way when the FOV needs to be shifted.

PinPoint might help you...  but I suspect that even with automated 
tools like that, there will be times when you still need to be able to 
do it manually.  And complex automated tools have their own learning 
curve.

Re GEM and meridian flip:  yes, it's a bear.  But really it is telling 
us (I struggle with the problem too) that we have other problems in our 
system.  I.e. the meridian flip exposes symptoms, mostly associated 
with imperfect flat-fielding, which have many causes.  When those are 
corrected, everything works better.

As Michael K. pointed out, GEMs can, in principle, track well past the 
meridian.  My early model Paramount cannot, and I don't think the ME 
does either, at least not more than a little ways.  Astro-physics is 
one company that makes their GEMs track well past the meridian.

g.

On 14 May, 2008, at 11:33 AM, 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!