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As an example of what can be accomplished with a small telescope, this page
presents images captured with a Discovery 6" Newtonian (f/5) telescope or a 2"
f/15 refractor, using a modified QuickCam Express Webcam. The QuickCam was
disassembled, and the circuit board mounted on the end of a plastic bottle
bottom that happened to fit tightly on my T-adaptor. Images are taken at either
prime focus, or through a 2x to 4x barlow.
For information and equipment sources to try your hand at astrophotography,
I can suggest the following places:
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If you want more information on astrophotography, you can get books on the
subject at used book stores. Most of my books are on the old 35mm form of
photography, which is still a good way to go for star photography.
For digital photography, which works well for the Moon and planets because
you can stack images, you'll need to hunt down more recent books. Newer books
are also available at Abebooks, as well as BOOKSAMILLION.COM  , and Wiley.com  .
Digital and film cameras suitable for astrophography can be found at
Calumet Photo.
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| The Equipment: Discovery 6" f/5 Newtonian
With a 2" f/15 Refractor Guide Scope. |
Sun Image, Oct 17, 2000, Modified QuickCam Express Webcam,
2" f/15 Refractor, Prime Focus.
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| Moon Image, Albategnius Region, Modified QuickCam
Express Webcam, 6" f/5 Newtonian, 3x Barlow.
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Moon Image, Clavius Region, Modified QuickCam Express Webcam,
6" f/5 Newtonian, 3x Barlow.
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Moon Image, South Polar Region, Modified QuickCam
Express Webcam, 6" f/5 Newtonian, Prime Focus.
Click to Enlarge
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Moon Image, Plato Region, Modified QuickCam
Express Webcam, 6" f/5 Newtonian, Prime Focus.
Click to Enlarge
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| Moon Image, Apennine Range Region, Modified
QuickCam Express Webcam, 6" f/5 Newtonian, 3x Barlow.
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Moon Image, Plato Region, Modified QuickCam
Express Webcam, 6" f/5 Newtonian, 3x Barlow.
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 |  | | Jupiter Image, Oct 16, 2000, Modified
QuickCam Express Webcam, 6" f/5 Newtonian, 4x Barlow. | Saturn Image,
Oct 16, 2000, Modified QuickCam Express Webcam, 6" f/5 Newtonian, 4x Barlow.
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Personal Notes
All of these images were obtained with my modified webcam. If you have a
laptop, that form of photography is reasonable convenient. I, unfortunately,
have only a desk top, so the setup for doing webcam photography was quite
inconvenient. That's why I haven't added to these photos much in some time.
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Many people have had good results with digital cameras. The advantage to
using them is that they are self contained -- no computer required. I've
constructed a mount so I can start using my Fuji digital camera. The Mercury
transit images at The 2"
Lens were taken with my Fuji digital in this manner.
If you are interested in either webcam or digital camera lunar photography,
you can find many workable cameras (both new and used) at
Calumet Photo.
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