[davidpretorius]

Dob Imaging Of Planets Syndrome.

Symptoms: stiff neck and shoulder on left hand side of body.

Cause: trying to align guide scope so that the planet at 600x will float across the field of view in the centre of your telescope.

Cure: right angled finder.



I have been complaining to the wife about a stiff neck for the last 3 - 4 weeks that won't go away. Finally worked it out. The preparation to get that planet to fly past the centre of the screen is very delicate but tense process, constantly at the guide scope. I also find myself not breathing.

When the objects are larger ie the moon, less time at guide scope as you can move the scope whilst watching the computer!!!

So, for all noobies, get yourself November's AS&T and read about different types of "finder". Also try and insist upon a right angled finder.

If you are seriously attempting to image planets and you do not have tracking, then you must get away from the standard design!