Hi Doc,

Thank's for your answer. The telescope is mounted on a permanent pier
cut to my latitude, as you guessed. We did polar alignment 2 monthes
ago, but I guess it not so polar aligbed by now. The problem is that
the pier is attached to the floor with 3 giant scews, so aligning it
requires 3-4 men, we rarely able to assemle. Is there an easier way to
align the telescope? Where can I find some material about the drift
alighning? and what do you think about "Dec Correct" option?

I dont think it's a balance problem. We use a dew shield and the CCD
is not that heavy.

Thank's

P.S. - The 16" is not the first telescope, and the 1616 is not our
first CCD - we have a 12" LX-200, 16" Dob, 8 SCT, ETX90 and some
others, and a ST6 CCD. The problem is that the local dealer is only a
Meade dealer, so unless we want to pay a lot mor (customs, taxes,
shiping etc...) we have to buy a Meade product, although I know of a
better CCD's in the market.

On Mon, 17 Jan 2000 18:47:00 -0600, you wrote:

>Moran Nachshony wrote:
>
>> Hello,
>>
>> My name is Noran Nachshony and I'm an amateur astronomer for several
>> years, mostly on the educational side. I work in a puclic observatory
>> in which we have a 16" LX-200 on a permanent pier and a Pictor 1616XT
>> CCD camera. I just recently begun interesting in CCD imaging. Our
>> first targets were 3 objects wee took at f/10. the problem is that
>> even with only 45 seconds of exposue the stars look ellongated. I
>> thought that this kind of scope could track a lot more, like several
>> minutes.
>>
>> Could anyone guid me to a way to improve it, or direct me to an
>> article about it (maybe at Doc G's site)?
>
>The 16" is not much better than the smaller Meade scopes when it comes to
>tracking. They do train the PEC at the factory for you but that is about
>all. Everything that applies to the other LX scopes applies as well to
>the 16" though the big boy is much stronger and more stable.
>
>I assume it is on a bent pier cut for your latitude. Or is it on a
>straight pier and you are using a field derotator. We need more
>information to help you.
>
>No matter, you will definitely need to have a guider to get exposures of
>longer than a minute. This will have to be a off axis type or a guide
>scope. It sounds like you are using a typical setup of a pricey scope
>and a pricey imager purchased because of advertisements rather than a
>full understanding of the equipment. Public bodies, like school boards
>and other public, especially educational functionaries, tend to do that.
>
>I suggest you read everything on my web site about the mechanics of the
>LX scopes since much will apply to the 16" as well.
>
>I am currently trying to decipher serious problems with a Paramount, C-14
>and ST-7, which system is a ghastly mess at this time.
>
>Doc G <http://www.mailbag.com/users/ragreiner>
>
>
>
>
>


Best regards,
Moran Nachshony
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Galaxy/9700/

Givatayim observatory and
Israeli Astronomical Assossiation (site in Hebrew)
http://astronomy.org.il

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