[AZ-Observing] Re: Goto Scopes for Marathons

RIGHT ON  Steve
            In 1996 I came to my first star party in Arizona with my new LX
200 Meade. I was the only person there with a goto scope. I drew a lot of
attention that night, and someone said it sounded like a coffee grinder.
Several unnamed people informed me that REAL armatures don't use goto
telescopes. I'm glad to see more people showing up each month with new goto
scopes.  It's just a hobby, and much more enjoyable when you can spend more
time looking at an object than you did finding that object.
              Joe Goss
----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Coe" <stevecoe@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, November 22, 2002 2:42 PM
Subject: [AZ-Observing] Re: Goto Scopes for Marathons


> So,
>
> This is one of AJ's "religious discussions" and I am perfectly clear that
nobody is going to change their mind about anything from this discussion.
Therefore, we have an opportunity to get lots of people to vent their
frustrations concerning "starhopping is REALLY doing the Messier Marathon
and GOTO scopes shouldn't be in the same league with finding your way among
the stars with a finderscope and star map."
>
> Seeing as how I am seriously considering a C11 with the GPS system
installed (because I am tired of starhopping), I feel qualified to
participate.  And, I see both sides.  When you are groping among the Virgo
galaxies, or trying to find a "hop off" star in Cetus, it is difficult to
listen to the automatic scope next to you going from object to object every
30 seconds and having the owner of that scope complete the Messier Marathon
while getting a 3 hour nap from 11 PM to 2 AM!  I can also hear the owner of
the computerized scope saying "Hey, I purchased the scope, I set it up, I
aligned it to the correct stars and I punched the buttons so that the
correct objects are in the eyepiece.  Why should I be treated like a leper?"
>
> So, I don't have an answer.  I understand that AJ is the chairman of the
Messier Marathon and has been for years.  I have an opinion that he has done
a wonderful job.  He has chosen not to create a set of rules that creates
classes of awards.  I see that he is trying to keep it simple and I
understand that.
>
> At some future date, when AJ decides to lay down the task of being the MM
organizer, then YOU might decide to take it on and create a variety of
levels of awards, such as:  starhopping, GOTO scope, digital setting
circles, binoculars, small aperture, large aperture, all CCD images, all
objects drawn, all objects drawn in color and did not nap.
>
> I have attended many a Messier Marathon over the years, usually as a
method of supporting A.J. Crayon and the world's most active group of
Messier observers.  It has been fun, interesting, enlightening, tiring and I
treasure my award.  I am of the opinion that keeping it simple is the best
course.  Let's not create artificial boundaries between observers because
you think that they are "cheating" by using a computerized telescope.  There
is room for all.
>
> Just my opinion (but I am right!!);
> Steve Coe
>
> stevecoe@xxxxxxxxx
> Author:  Deep Sky Observing--The Astronomical Tourist
> Saguaro Astronomy Club web site:
> www.saguaroastro.org
>
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>
>


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