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Astronomy/Science fair telecope
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Question
Exactly how and were should we get the supplies to make the telescope? Can we take a picture of what we are observing by attaching a camera to our telescope? How fast does the planet Venus moves so we can now were to set up our telescope? What could we do to our telescope so it could be an award winner? P.S: this is my teachers email.
Hi Pat,
Sorry, but I don't build scopes; I only know how to use them on
the night sky. (I pay people to build my scopes...people that are
very skilled at it and know what they are doing). I also take no pictures as that is another additional catagory of our hobby all by itself, but I prefer eyeball-to-the-eyepiece only.
Although I do know that for photography, your scope has to compensate for the Earth's rotation, not only for Venus, but for everything else one wants to photograph. The Earth rotates Eastward
at exactly 15 degrees per hour, or one degree every 4 minutes.
None of my scopes have this capability, called "clock drive"....
as I have no interest in photography. (I figure, who can beat the
Hubble or the twin 10 meter Keck scopes on Hawaii?) No one.
BUT we do have a fellow allexperts member named Paul Wagner. Paul has built many types of scopes and has over 30 years observing experience also, so he would be the best person under the 'astronomy
section'....to answer your question about building scopes and photography thru same.
Clear Skies,
Tom Whiting
Erie, PA
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Answers by Expert:
Tom Whiting
Expertise
Astronomy has been my hobby/pasttime for over 50 years. Currently own 3 telescopes, the largest of which is a 30 inch Newtonian truss Dob that is portable.I taught Astronomy/Meteorology at the University Level for 13 years before retiring in 1995. Being retired and home most of the time, I am able to answer all questions relatively quickly, unless it's a new moon weekend with good observing conditions. No astrology questions please, or questions about alleged UFO picture identifications.
Experience
Experience: Astronomy has been my hobby and study for over 50 years. We currently now own a 30 inch portable telescope (Updated - Pennsylvania`s largest portable telescope). It can be seen on our website at:http://www.velocity.net/~bwhiting and also attend several regional starparties during the year, and have been on 5 total solar eclipse expeditions.
Organizations: President, Erie County Mobile Observers Group for over 15 years.
Publications: Wrote the "Over Erie Skies" newspaper article in our local newspaper for 11 years (1975-86).
Education: Masters Degree- Taught at the University level for 13 years. Retired 20 years -USAF Pilot - KC-135 with 180 combat missions; Also Eagle Scout, Philmont staff 2 Yrs, Order of Arrow Lodge Chief, Ham Radio (inactive).
Awards: two discoveries: The mini-coathanger asterism in Ursa Minor (the little dipper) And the mini-ladle- another asterism in the bowl of Ursa Minor. Clients: Currently President of the ECMOG as mentioned above.
Education/Credentials
BS Metallurgical Engineering Grove City College, PAMaster's Degree, Gannon University, Erie, PA
Also retired USAF pilot, 20 years.
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