Astronomy Telescope YOU DIRECT Coming Soon!

[WB Robert Herd]

Brethren,
I've just purchased an observatory quality telescope with computer guide and control equipment. What I'm hoping this will eventually allow basically is anyone with a broadband connection could connect to my laptop over the internet and through it control the telescope and view what they point it at on their computer using it's "GOTO" software and database of literally hundreds of thousands of galaxies, planets, stars, deep space objects etc... I'll be playing with it the next couple weeks trying to get setups and controls working and hopefully iron out any kinks, but I hope to start initial testing with TSS members by the end of the month and schedule periodic times and dates for observations this summer. For those of you interested, here's the specs on the scope that I purchased you can look it up on the internet...it also is coming with a lot of added accessories...such as digital imaging camera and software and several different eye pieces..
MEADE 12" LX200GPS UHTC-SMT


Yours
R~

[Bro. Jim Hinkley]

What an awesome telescope! Sign me up for beta testing :)

[Bro. Steve Pugmire]

Sign me up.

does one of those break the bank?

[WB Robert Herd]

Sign me up.

does one of those break the bank?


No but 2 would :)

it's about $8k worth of equipment.

[Bro. Steve Pugmire]

well thanks for letting us experiment with your bank acc... er.. telescope. :D

[Damocles]

COOL!

I trust you'll put together a very secure connection for outside access so as to not endanger your home LAN?

[724mason]

You certainly have a fine piece of equipment there Brother. I must also thank you for the kind offer.

[WB Robert Herd]

I won't be on my home lan per se.... I'll have it on a special wireless AP on a special v-lan separated out on our cisco, and my laptop will be locked down with a Gpolicy.


COOL!

I trust you'll put together a very secure connection for outside access so as to not endanger your home LAN?

[Damocles]

Nice plan. Can't wait to try it out!

[Bro. Jim Hinkley]

I can't wait either! Very nice Rob! You know, even if control is too risky, maybe you could take suggestions on what to point it at and let us see the results......
That thing is the bomb diggity! Nice acquisition. Congratulations Brother.
EDIT
Here is a lens pic :)
http://www.astromart.com/images/auctions/2000-2999/2686-1.jpg

[WB Robert Herd]

you bet...I'm no astrophotographer, but I'm sure we're gonna get some cool views/pictures outta this thing regardless of how we have to do it.

[Bro. Russell Cram]

GOOD LORD!!!!, You could burn ants on Mars with that thing!!!

[WB Matt Hughes]

GOOD LORD!!!!, You could burn ants on Mars with that thing!!!

That's the plan Brother - that's the plan... mu ha ha ha. :cool:

[Bro. Jim Hinkley]

Do you have it yet Rob? For Fathers Day, Susan and the Boys have had a star in Sagittarius named 'vwjimmy' in my honor! It is a Magnitude 11 star so I sure could use your rig to take a look!
Here is its' location:
RA18hr45m1.83s D18*8'56.00"
Happy Fathers Day Brethren :)

[WB Robert Herd]

Got it set up Friday night and took my first initial looks...it's amazing. Even with all of it's GPS and Auto Goto functions it's still very complex, and I haven't tried to figure out the camera/laptop portion yet...I've only had two clear nights to view with and am noticing that focusing is very complex and that I need a couple other types of eyepieces. It will be able to see your Mag11 Star though I "think" I have viewed some 8's already, so 11 should be doable. Did you know that when you are looking at Sagittarius you are looking toward the center of our galaxy....pretty cooool. happy F-day Jim.

[Bro. John Cummings]

Bro. Rob,

Im off shift this week and could make myself available if you need help figuring it out... I could bring homebrews. Beer and staring at the heavens... doesnt get much better than that. :)