Max ap for terrestrial viewing

prestonrich · Joined: 01 Dec 2007 Posts: 1

Serious question...what are the best reasons for not using an Obsession 30" for terrestrial viewing w/erector and excellent elevation and seeing as well as the usual astronomical? Will the above 30" w/GoTo work acceptably for astrophotography? What would be the best choice for serious work finding NEOs?

Thanks,
-Preston

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5512

Hi

We don't carry that line of scopes, so can't offer any help on specific accessories or sutiability for astrophotography.

However, the limiting factor in using a telescope by day, regardless of size or design, is the atmosphere. Atmospheric turbulence (heat waves) dust, humidity air currents and pollutants limit magnification to 60-80x and, on most days, even this is too much. The problem is that you are not just magnifying an object, you are also magnifying defects in the atmosphere.

Using a telescope by day is NOT the same as using a telescope for astronomy. By day, you are looking through the thickest and msot turbulent layer of atmosphere and you are doing it over land, which radiates heat and disprupts air flow. By night, for astronomy, you are looking overhead, through the thinner and relatively more stable layers of the atmosphere.

By all means, get the Obsession for astronomy, but to use it by day is way over the top for what you need or can use effectively.
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