Astrophotography

ethan

ethan

ethan

Soldato
Joined
16 Sep 2005
Posts
7,850
Location
What used to be a UK
Would any make of green 5Mw laser pointer be suitable to use as a aligning scope in conjunction with a polar scope- and if so, can anybody recommend a particular make? Ideally I would prefer a model with an on/off button and not one you would continually have to hold /push.

In addition, is there a tripod clamp suitable for holding a laptop whilst plate solving? Obviously I wouldn't be able to align and hold the laptop at the same time (using an Ioptron Skyguider Pro) because you need to have both hands free.. Thanks.
 
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I'm not clear why you would want a laser pointer if you're using a polar scope and plate solving.
There is a tray affair that clamps onto a tripod, I saw a used one for sale recently. Looking at the pictures of it attached to a tripod my immediate thoughts were that the whole thing looked balanced precariously and that bashing away at the keyboard would probably upset the polar alignment I'd just applied all the OCD I had to get perfect.
I use the SGP and I find it quite tricky to navigate all the cables while moving between the laptop on a chair and the astro gear on the tripod.
 
You want a Megawatt laser? Are you trying to burn a hole in the Moon? I'm sure BAE Systems will be able to help you if you chuck a few billion quid their way.
 
footman said:
I'm not clear why you would want a laser pointer if you're using a polar scope and plate solving.
There is a tray affair that clamps onto a tripod, I saw a used one for sale recently. Looking at the pictures of it attached to a tripod my immediate thoughts were that the whole thing looked balanced precariously and that bashing away at the keyboard would probably upset the polar alignment I'd just applied all the OCD I had to get perfect.
I use the SGP and I find it quite tricky to navigate all the cables while moving between the laptop on a chair and the astro gear on the tripod.
Click to expand...

I'd read using a laser scope in addition to the Polar scope made the latter a bit easier (with regard to getting in the general direction). In fact some had been taping the laser to their mounts for this purpose on a number of various forums. I would only plate solve if there were any issues with the laser or any adjustments made with the Polar scope in isolation -not having done it before :)
 
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Quartz said:
You want a Megawatt laser? Are you trying to burn a hole in the Moon? I'm sure BAE Systems will be able to help you if you chuck a few billion quid their way.
Click to expand...

The best recommmended budget laser for astrophotography is a green 5mw which is not shipped to the UK.

https://www.telescope.com/All-Telescopes/Orion-SkyLine-Deluxe-Green-Laser-Pointer/rc/2162/p/5673.uts?utm_source=CJ&utm_medium=aff&utm_campaign=commission+junction&cjevent=359adedc680611ec8348b6950a18050f
 
ethan said:
Would any make of green 5Mw laser pointer be suitable to use as a aligning scope in conjunction with a polar scope- and if so, can anybody recommend a particular make? Ideally I would prefer a model with an on/off button and not one you would continually have to hold /push.

In addition, is there a tripod clamp suitable for holding a laptop whilst plate solving? Obviously I wouldn't be able to align and hold the laptop at the same time (using an Ioptron Skyguider Pro) because you need to have both hands free.. Thanks.
Click to expand...

 
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