Tiny Kirtland Telescope Took Critical Shot of Shuttle

Albuquerque Journal | Thursday, February 13, 2003 | John Fleck

[Husker24]

What are you saying, that these guys didnt build this thing?

[Ciexyz]

Kudos to these guys.

[coloradan]

For a fair comparison, I think you should compare your photo to one taken from a 10" Questar. They are exremely good - not to minimize your efforts or equipment. I personally can't afford a Questar.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Yeah, I saw a cheap opportunity to show off the pic.

If this causes a problem with anyone, I wont do it again.

Not to many interested nowadays unless there is T & A or some other garbage involved.

For those interested this was taken with an off the self, LX-200 Meade on a tripod and an older Olympus O-M 1 camera with Fuji 200 w/exposure time of 1/2 sec. The lx200 has an aperture of 10". The Apollo 11 spacecraft landed not to far from this region, I believe directly to the west in the heavely cratered area to the left of Crater Theopilus, (central crater on top). Another Apollo mission landed not to far from the top left, which would be to the north and west to the large central crater, with the visible central peak. After taking the image, I discovered that the central peaks of this crater, extend upward in excess of 22,000 feet in elevation. This image was taken in a fairly light polluted environment, and I used some cheap lunar filters to block the glaring, reflected sun light from the lunar surface.Its so bright through the eyepiece, one wants to put on sunglasses.

I find astrophotography to be very rewarding. I would recommend it to anyone with some interest. Family pics and vacation pics get old. LOL.

[Joe Hadenuf]

I understand. Questar is a great scope, on doubt about it.

[woofie]

Maybe my eyes are bad but I dont see nothin

[woofie]

Please excuse me...through the miracle of science it appeared...