Join with us at 8 p.m. on Friday, January 18, 2019, at the Fernbank Science Center, when area astronomer and astro-imager Steve Siedentop will present the newest technology options available for telescope mounts and controls.
While basic, inexpensive store-bought telescopes purchased by and for beginners are often little-used due to flimsy construction and poor optics, telescopes that cost only a little more have considerably better optics and often include drive motors for tracking sky objects.
Steve's presentation will describe what's new for the astro-observer and imager faced with how to manage the tangle of cords connected to those drive motors, including alternatives to bulky laptops and expensive accessories that interface with popular astronomy apps such as SkySafari.
A computer software designer/engineer himself, Steve started out with a 12-inch unguided Dobsonian-mounted reflecting telescope but quickly looked for ways to leverage technology for observing. Eventually, he moved into astrophotography, often observing while imaging. As most people who venture into imaging do, Steve began to work on managing the tangle of cables that accompanies imaging equipment. Unfortunately, he found that even with the best cable management practices, having a laptop tethered to a moving telescope was less than desireable.
The meeting is FREE and open to the public. It will be held in the Fernbank Science Center's Resource Room (formerly the library room).
Finally, and weather-permitting, all will be invited upstairs to Ralph Buice Observatory to view through the 0.9 meter (36-inch) Cassegrain reflecting telescope inside the 10 meter (30 ft.) dome.
The Fernbank Science Center is located at 156 Heaton Park Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30303. (Phone: 678-874-7102).
While basic, inexpensive store-bought telescopes purchased by and for beginners are often little-used due to flimsy construction and poor optics, telescopes that cost only a little more have considerably better optics and often include drive motors for tracking sky objects.
Steve's presentation will describe what's new for the astro-observer and imager faced with how to manage the tangle of cords connected to those drive motors, including alternatives to bulky laptops and expensive accessories that interface with popular astronomy apps such as SkySafari.
A computer software designer/engineer himself, Steve started out with a 12-inch unguided Dobsonian-mounted reflecting telescope but quickly looked for ways to leverage technology for observing. Eventually, he moved into astrophotography, often observing while imaging. As most people who venture into imaging do, Steve began to work on managing the tangle of cables that accompanies imaging equipment. Unfortunately, he found that even with the best cable management practices, having a laptop tethered to a moving telescope was less than desireable.
The meeting is FREE and open to the public. It will be held in the Fernbank Science Center's Resource Room (formerly the library room).
Finally, and weather-permitting, all will be invited upstairs to Ralph Buice Observatory to view through the 0.9 meter (36-inch) Cassegrain reflecting telescope inside the 10 meter (30 ft.) dome.
The Fernbank Science Center is located at 156 Heaton Park Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30303. (Phone: 678-874-7102).
Date: Friday, January 18, 2019
Time: 8 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Eastern
Location:
Fernbank Science Center
Atlanta, GA 30307
