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(meteorobs) Semi-automatic plotting
Hi,
I've been lurking for a couple of weeks trying to get a feel for this
group and for this aspect of astronomy.
I was wondering if anyone has automated the plotting process to any
extent. What I was thinking of is a simple alt-az mounting with digital
encoders on it. The mounting would not hold a scope, but rather a simple
stick with a zero-power finder on it. The encoders are attached to a
portable (luggable??) computer.
When a meteor flies by you hit the enter key to begin a new observation.
The time is automatically recorded from the system clock. You then point
the zero-power finder at the start location and hit enter (or some key)
again to record the starting position which is read off the encoders.
Repeat for the ending position. Then you may enter other necessary info
such as magnitude and velocity using the keyboard.
The software could even keep track of your down time while you were
recording the observation so you could have a more accurate Teff.
Would this be a useful data gathering tool? See any problems? I would
bet such a thing could be built pretty easily and cheaply.
--
Bill Tschumy
Otherwise -- Austin, TX
Creators of Artificial Life
bill@otherwisedot com
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