Re: Astrophotography

[Steven Blutter <sblutter@worldnet.att.net>]

Charles E. Dunlap wrote:
> 
> >There is currently a commit that appears ~5:30 am est.  I was wondering if
> >anyone here has ever done this.  I have a celestron telescope, and I want to
> >attach my nikon 2020 to it. Yeah yeah..not Leica..but still photog. How much
> >does this adapter(s) cost.  Also in general, what is a good rule of thumb
> >for exposure, film speed, etc.  Thanks, Hal
> 
> Another option is to get a bracket to mount the camera (you could use the
> Leica) onto the telescope. Get the comet head at one side of the field of
> view in the camera and put a Barlow on the Celestron. Pick a guide star
> through the telescope and keep it near the cross hairs during the exposure
> on the camera. This will keep the stars as points of light in the picture
> rather than streaks.
> 
> The reason to use a camera (50mm lens works well) is to get the comet's
> tail in the frame. Hale-Bopp has a very long tail. My 50mm photos of the
> last comet (Hakutake) were much more dramatic and interesting than the ones
> shot with a longer lens, much less the telescope. Much of the tail isn't
> visible (at least in city light) but will show up on film.
> 
> Some people like to track on the comet's head rather than a guide star. The
> stars will appear as streaks, but some people think they get more detail in
> the comet's head. The comet's head looks like a blur to me; I prefer
> pinpoint stars.
> 
> Good luck.
> 
> -Charlie

charlie,
what film do you rec. for col. & b&w?
sblutter