Digital Photography with the ETX

8.Use the Arrow keys to center the object in the eyepiece to view the object. Satellite orbits change and new satellites (including the Space Shuttle) are launched. Visit the Meade website (www.meade.com) approximately once a month to get updated information and instructions on how to download this data to AutoStar. If orbital parameters are more than one month old, the satellite pass may not happen at the time predicted by AutoStar. To download new satellite data into AutoStar memory requires the optional Astrofinder Software and Cable Connector Kit. See OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 33.

Although digital cameras still cannot match the quality of images provided by traditional 35mm cameras, they provide some significant advantages to the casual astropho- tographer: You do not have to develop the images (instant images), lower costs, computer and internet readiness. And because unwanted photos are easily discarded, they provide the freedom to experiment.

Digital cameras present some problems for the astrophotographer: Many models have lenses that cannot be removed, present difficulties in attaching to a telescope, often lack manual focus- ing and allow limited exposure times. Long exposures with digital cameras introduce undesir- able noise and artifacts into a digital image. This limits the range of astro images to the Moon, planets and bright stars.

SLR digital cameras usually work the best for astrophotography, although they are still a bit pricey.

Some tips for better photos:

•If you cannot remove the lens to your camera, look for a commercially available digital t-adapter. New solutions for attaching a digital camera to a telescope are becoming available as time goes by.

•If the camera is not directly coupled to the eyepiece, keep it as close to the eyepiece as possible and center the image to be photographed to minimize vignetting (darkening of the edges of the photo).

•Try to block ambient light (from street lights, house, etc.) from the eyepiece and the cam- era with a piece of cardboard, a screen, etc.

•Keep extra (charged) batteries on hand for your camera as digital cameras often drain bat- teries in a short period of time. Rechargeable Lithium batteries provide power for a longer period than non-rechargeable batteries. If practical, use an AC adapter.

•If using manual focus, set to infinity. Otherwise, using the camera's autofocus is OK.

•Experiment with your camera's exposure, brightness and /or contrast settings. Keep notes for future reference.

•Many digital cameras have a manual ISO setting. Short exposures times work the best.

•Use your camera's highest image quality and lowest compression settings. Although this fills up your camera's memory more quickly, it produces the best quality photos.

•Use the camera's timer or remote shutter release (if available for your camera) to minimize vibration. Wireless shutter releases may be available for some model digital cameras. If you do not have a shutter release, use the camera’s timer (sometimes called “self-timer”), which is available with most digital cameras. The timer also minimizes vibration.

Photography with Meade’s AutoStar Suite™

The AutoStar Suite with Meade LPI™ (Lunar Planetary Imager) or Meade Deep Sky Imager™ turns your Meade ETX telescope, AutoStar and PC into even more powerful and easy-to-use astronomical 5. Press GO TO. AutoStar slews the telescope to where the satellite should appear. The motor drive stops and a countdown starts.

NOTE: If the scheduled appearance position of the satellite is obstructed (i.e., by a building, tree, or hill), press ENTER and AutoStar starts to move the telescope along the expected satellite track. When the track clears the obstruction, press ENTER again to pause the telescope, then continue with this procedure.