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Re: (meteorobs) Semi-automatic plotting
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> From: Mark Davis <MeteorObs@Charlestondot net>
> To: meteorobs@latradedot com
> Subject: Re: (meteorobs) Semi-automatic plotting
> Date: Tuesday, July 30, 1996 9:36 PM
>
> Hi Bill,
>
> Welcome to the list. I hope to see you more often here. Also thanks for
> posting your idea about the semi-automatic plotter. Below are some
> "brainstorming" notes:
>
> Cost would be a major factor...by "luggable" computer I am guessing you
mean
> a lap top which are somewhat expensive.
It doesn't necessarily need to be a laptop. If you have power at your
site you can get an old 386 machine almost for free. Even laptops can be
had in the $400 range (admittedly not insignificant).
I would bet the thing can be built (sans computer) for ~$100
>
> How accurate are today's encoders? Would it need aligning on 2 or more
stars
> several times during a session?
Encoders are probably a lot more accurate than inaccuracies involved in
seeing a point in the sky and marking it down on a chart. You should be
able to routinely get within 1/4 degree. The inaccuracy generally comes
from the altitude and azmuith axes not being perfectly square.
You should only need 2 star alignment once.
>
> Might not be possible year round due to cold. Some of us observe all
year,
> no matter what the temps, possibly creating a computer problem.
Agreed, could be a problem
>
> What would be the apparent and actual field of the finder? If it's too
> large, the plots would not be accurate enough. Too small, and can't see
nothing.
I was talking about a zero-power finder like a telrad. Your field of view
is the whole sky.
>
> The idea sounds interesting, and I suggest you continue to investigate
it.
> The above are just some things off the top of my head.
Thanks for the comments. I will probably just mull this over for a while
as I learn to record "the old fashioned way".
>
> Mark Davis
>