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NE1 out there doing optical searches w/telescope & software for new planets?

W

Wiz

Diamond Member
I've got an 8 inch Meade Dobsonian & a great Digital SLR (10.2MP) & a connector between the two and the right software to connect them - what else does it take?
 
Originally posted by: Wiz
...what else does it take?
Click to expand...
A whhhoooooooole lotta luck & time.

Have you ever had a verified siting of Pluto? That's the only planet i haven't seen. From what i'm told, you have to get the correct co ordinance & get your scope set on it. Take a picture or make a sketch of th star field. Go back the next night & view the same area. The "star" that appears to have moved is Pluto.




Disclaimer - ok, Pluto isn't a planet anymore, but i hope you get my drift.
 
Yes, that's a hard one indeed.

I'm talking about the computer program that 'watches' the star and detects the slight dimming that indicates there is an extra solar planet.

Not actually seeing a planet with my telescope 😉

I'd say the first thing I'd need is a better telescope!
Something with a motorized mount so it can track properly.
 
Originally posted by: Wiz
I've got an 8 inch Meade Dobsonian & a great Digital SLR (10.2MP) & a connector between the two and the right software to connect them - what else does it take?
Click to expand...

The Dob will not allow you to track without an add-on tracking platform. I have never used on, but I hear they can work well. Some have even made their own. Yet with any tracking system, for photography you need it to be very accurate. Especially for long exposure's rather than a lot of short snapshots.

The OTA itself would be up for the job though. If you do get another, you will spend for the mount as that is where its at for the photos. Upwards of 2k for something semi serious. The camera should work well, even if not designed for astronomy specifically. Just keep the exposures shorter as the noise will build after a bit.

As far as new planets, thats a whole other thing... 🙂
 
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