webcam for beginners

[timewarp]

Hello experts

My inventive 14 year old son is currently in the backyard trying to set up webcam using our laptop and LogitechIM. He has removed the eyepiece from the 8" dob and replaced it with the webcam. The image is strange - it looks like stars but the image appears frozen. Is there someone who can explain in laypersons terms how my son should approach this?

[duncan]

If the moon is up have a look at it. Will look frozen cause of very little movement.
Welcome aboard the spaceship IIS.
Cheers,
Duncan

[timewarp]

thanks Duncan I am impressed by your equipment!! I get the feeling from reading an article by Mike that webcam is the way to go. regards Michael and Jack (baby boomer and smarter son!)

[xelasnave]

Have you taken the lens out of the web cam so it acts just as a photographic plate?
alex

[duncan]

G'day Timewarp,
I dont have much but i decided to get as big as i could afford. What i have cost about $1350 all up including freight.
Webcam is alright for moon and planets unless you get modifications done to them. What kind and size is your scope? Better able to help with that knowledge.
Cheers,
Duncan

[iceman (Mike)]

Alex is right - you need to take the lens off the webcam as well. Not all webcams will do the job properly, but most should work "ok" as long as you can fit a film cannister to it to put it in the focuser.

The best way to go for a beginner is to get the ToUcam with 1.25" adapter.