Posted on 02/09/2003 1:59:46 PM PST by Joe Hadenuf
For those interested, I thought it would be nice to start a thread for amateur astronomers/photographers. In light of recent events involving amateur astronomers, and the Space Shuttle tragedy, I thought this would be of some interest to see what backyard amateur astronomers are capable of.
I took this photograph below with a Meade Instruments LX-200 10" Catadioptric Schmidt Cassegrain telescope. It uses a series of lenses and mirrors.
The photo was taken on 4-8-00 Craters Theopilus and Cyrillus and the larger craters in the center. I used my Meade 10" SCT using eyepiece projection/tele-extender, with an Olympus OM-1, Fuji 200, 1/2 second exposure. I believe the central peak in the center of crater Theopilus are in excess of 22,000 feet in height, and it's shadow can be clearly seen, to me anyway, LOL! Hopefully I will improve on my focusing.
The Apollo 16 landing site was just to the left of large craters and Apollo 11 landing site was in the upper left of the photograph.
This was one of my first attempts, and was slightly out of focus. I now and using different focusing techniques and will display some planetary photographs next.
I just got permission from the management folks where I live to build a 'custom shed'. It can be no more than 10'x10'x10'. Ten feet tall! I told them that it is intended to be capable of having me and my telescope on top of it while stargazing- they said that that was fine. :-D
I use Internet Explorer 6, although all the browser has to do is interpret a very simple HTML line, so it shouldn't matter what browser you use.
I have Attbi broadband (cable modem account) and I use them for my web hosting, as well. Ever since the changeover from '@Home', they have been fantastic here- YMMV.
Good luck....
Yes, I am. And thanks for the link Riley. I will definitely try this too.
I know, it's out of focus. Focusing is critical and my next shots should show surface or atmospheric gas/cloud bands. I am currently experimenting with different types of focusing techniques.
Kinda testing here while my ISP gets it's act together. 
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