Jerry Klingaman Starts Down the CCD Road
A friend, Jerry Klingaman, is gathering his equipment and software to make the journey into CCD astrophotography. He is in the final stages of putting his guide scope and additional counterweight on his TMB 130 APO. He will use Maxim DL for imaging, CCDStack and Photoshop CS3 for processing. He is also in the process of getting his guide camera, a Fishcamp Starfish via UPS within the week.
The photo shows his WO 80mm Megrez triplet on top of the TMB. The Megrez is a big scope, but there should be plenty of stars in the field of view for guiding. Jerry can also use this second scope for imaging where a shorter focal length (480mm) is appropriate. OPT had exactly the right kind of dovetail and blocks. The focuser extension tube, originally provided by William Optics, is attached to the scope.
The scope is heavy enough to require additional counter-weight. Jerry had originally ordered the AP Mach 1 with the optional 2.85 inch diameter, 10.7″ short shaft, not realizing at the time that he would eventually put together a considerably larger system for imaging. Astro-Physics is sending a longer counterweight shaft and an additional 10# weight. His Fishcamp Starfish should ship Monday, June 29th and all equipment should be here for a his initial experiments the weekend of July the 4th.
