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XJJoe01
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 Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:10 pm Post subject: Dob cool down times |
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Hello,
I have been thinking about getting either a 6" or 8" Dob (when they are stocked again) and was wondering how long is required to cool off the tube and how hard is it to track stars and planets with dob?
Thanks,
Joe |
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Ryan_W
Site Admin
Joined: 16 Jun 2003
Posts: 276
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| Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:46 pm Post subject: |
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Hi,
Cool down times on this size Dob should be around 30-45 minutes depending on the temperature drop. Moving the scope from your 70 degree house to the 30 degree back yard would have about a 45-60 minute cool down time.
Tracking is pretty easy if you have a steady hand, as long as you have a decent awareness of the reversed image orientation. It takes some practice, but you can get used to it quickly.
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Ryan W.
Forum: http://www.opticsplanet.com/msgboard
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XJJoe01
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:57 pm Post subject: Dobs |
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| Ryan_W wrote: | Hi,
Cool down times on this size Dob should be around 30-45 minutes depending on the temperature drop. Moving the scope from your 70 degree house to the 30 degree back yard would have about a 45-60 minute cool down time.
Tracking is pretty easy if you have a steady hand, as long as you have a decent awareness of the reversed image orientation. It takes some practice, but you can get used to it quickly. |
Ryan,
Thank you for the fast response!!
I didn't think it would take that long to cool down. Also, do you have to re-align the mirrors every time you move it? I am starting to think maybe a retractor would better suit my viewing intentions, but like the versatility of a large aperture creating a well rounded scope; I have no intentions of photography. I am a virgin in the world of astronomy and thought an eight inch Dob would be the way to go, but I like idea of spur of the moment observing opportunities.
I really thought the eight inch dob would be a great way to enter this hobby, but I have to rethink the cool down times.
Thanks again for your reply,
Joe |
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Ryan_W
Site Admin
Joined: 16 Jun 2003
Posts: 276
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| Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:25 pm Post subject: |
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I think you're right on with the Dob. It's the best aperture for the money that you can buy. All telescopes will need a cool down period. During this time, lenses are flexing and cooling at different rates which will distort the image. A cheap refractor will still require a 20-30 minute cool down period, where a super high end APO refractor could require over an hour.
With any reflector telescope, yuo will need to check the mirror alignment after you move it just to make sure that the mirrors did not get bounced out of position in the back of the car.
_________________
Best Regards,
Ryan W.
Forum: http://www.opticsplanet.com/msgboard
Blog: http://blog.opticsplanet.com/
Store: http://www.opticsplanet.net/
Phone: 847-513-6201
Fax: 847-919-3003
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