[AZ-Observing] Re: Tracking Options

A problem finding north with a platform and digital setting circles will occur
if the platform is turned off to let the object drift west and will cause the
DSC to loose accuracy.  I haven't tried this because I don't know how severe it
can be, perhaps an experiment to try some time?

Yes the DSC can be realigned on one star, but the inaccuracy will have already
been introduced and will probably show up when the platform needs to be reset.
If the two stars are used to re-calibrate then the platform will also need to be
reset - this will have to be done some time anyway but I wouldn't want to do
this after every observation.

Neither of these two conditions sound appealing to me so my procedure is to
describe the field accurately enough, or make the drawing sufficiently detailed,
so north can be determined later - at home with a planetarium program.

Never considered StanF's comment about being tactile with telescope but
certainly agree.  When deciding on what features my 14.5" telescope would have
as far as options are concerned I didn't want any of the GOTO stuff because I
wanted to move the telescope myself.  Sort of some kind of connection between me
and the toy.

aj

Tom Polakis wrote:

> What Stan mentions and having to 'train' the Dob Driver for direction of
> tracking are its two big disadvantages.  The most obvious disadvantage of a
> platform is that it raises the eyepiece another half foot off the ground.
> Another one is that it's very difficult to find out which way is north.  If
> you want to record position angles in your notes, you're stuck with
> reaching for a power switch and letting the object drift to the west.  A
> true equatorial mount doesn't have this problem, but they're so heavy and
> large.
> Tom
>

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