Instrumentation and Equipment

Hello All, 

I'm a new member here. I am looking to contribute to data collection. I also have an interest in spectroscopy. This isn't the same old CMOS v. CCD question; but more of a mentoring and workflow question. 

Hello everybody. I will monitor two stars in Lup in B, V, R and I and from what I can see the AAVSO tables are only giving the V magnitude and color index of the star. Do you suggest, or do you think it's worth using the values ​​of B, R and I from Simbad, or Vizier? Is there any method for these values ​​to appear in the photometry table?

Thank you so much.

Hello,

Risking being repetitive, let me ask you all a simple question, please:

If a group of amateurs assembling a minimalist setup for variable star photometry in general, from O-B stars to red giants, were to choose between V & B, and V & Ic J-C filters, which one would be a more sensible option? 

I see experienced people indicating either one but I never learned the rationale subjacent to this subject.

Thank you for any comments.

Ari

Hello everyone,

I have a budget of 10,000$ to purchase a telescope and accessories for training students at my institution (a local community college in Tacoma WA, USA). I've been researching here and there, but would love to hear some recommendations from y'all experienced observers. We have access to a professional observatory ~3 hrs from our location so this equipment would be for training in CCD data collection and processing; we need to be able to easily travel to nearby locations.

Does anyone have general guidelines on using B, V and R filters for general deep sky imaging? Perhaps exposure ratios?

Peter

BPEC

When buying a CCD camera (yes, I am still using a CCD)... the focus is on stats like full-well-capacity, quantum efficiency, dark current, readout noise, dynamic range, ADC count (16 bit or less), and linearity.

The CCD chip is what it is.  The chip is as good as e2v (or other manufacuturer) provides for the particular model and class you buy.

ZWO has just begun to offer this tiny thingy:

https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/product/zwo-seestar-2/

I guess technically it best compares to the "Vespera observation station" by Vaonis, but at a much, much more aggressive price point.  (Same sensor, same 50mm aperture, also under 5kg weight, alt-az tripod mount, smart phone user interface ...)

Opinions?

CS

HBE

Hello AAVSO members and observers,

Is there anyone using Dwarf ii / Dwarf 2 for photometry?

Thanks,

Raymund

HI,

I wanted to use NINA to replace my aging software suite (MAXIM, CCDCommander) and I am a dedicated variable star observer with a remote site in Chile (but also at home in Belgium).

I would like to see anadvanced sequence in NINA where three stars are observed in snapshot mode (2 images in three (BVI) filters), then 4h of three stars in a series in one filter where  every 1h a plate solving is done, then again 3 stars in snapshots, then again 4h of three stars in one filter with every hour a plate solving. At the end again three stars with snapshot mode.
 

Hi all!

I'm thinking of starting photometric measurements in the near future, though I have no telescope nor any equipment at all really...

I have recently done a course on observational astronomy (with spectrum/polarization observations) and I'm finishing a bachelors degree in physics/astronomy. I work in an other field, so this is just more of a hobby at the moment.