[AZ-Observing] Re: Astroman Site

I sent this about 2 am last night but it has not gone through - yet. I 
see Jeff's message this morning came through but not mine and so I am 
resending

For me the discussion on the AAVSO distribution list is irrelevant. 
Let's also not forget that the AAVSO was behind times when it came to 
the photoelectric measurements of variable stars. Doug Hall's inability 
to get AAVSO to become active regarding PMT data resulted in his 
breaking off and starting the IAPPP (per Doug Hall at the IAPPP West 
meeting about 3 years ago).
As I already stated, as for me the discussion in AAVSO is irrelevant. I 
already have a PMT and I am sure valuable work can still be done with 
it. I lean in the direction of a PMT over a CCD because of the spectral 
sensitivities Jeff mentioned, although I am sure owners of CCD's can 
make counter arguments. Lou Boyd, who is one of the major pioneers of 
automated telescopes, started the Fairborn observatory near Nogales and 
he collected valuable data for years using PMT's. I believe he still has 
PMT's, although he also offers CCD's because of the service he offers to 
astronomers. Also, Dick Lines, who passed away in 1991, had developed 
quite a reputation for himself with only a PMT. The year he passed away 
he received an award from the AAS in recognition of his work. If he were 
alive today I am sure he would still be using his PMT in Mayer, and 
doing valuable research with it. While there are some advantages to a 
CCD, such as the comparison star having a greater chance of being in the 
image, on the PMT side it is now possible for amateurs to fully automate 
their telescope. This is in the direction I want to head. Further, it 
seems to me that the CCD's greater utility, or callling, is in 
spectroscopy, rather than variable stars. This, I am sure, is debateable.

As an aside, the Leonids were pretty dismal this year, at least during 
the short time I observed them. From 11:45 to 1:00 I saw only one 
medium  sized meteor from the east to the west. I saw about 7 weaker 
ones from the west to the east. Maybe some saw more at another time 
during the night.
Stan

Steven Dodder wrote:

>Thanks Brian.
>  I apologize for my brusquness, but I followed a rather spirited 
>discussion, several actually, on the AASO dist list on the 
>merits/discrepancies of PEP v. CCD not too long ago and felt a need to step 
>in, in defense of all the non-PEP-ers out there.  Visual is nice, too.  :-)
>
>  
>
>  
>

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