選這台鏡前，在Software Bisque的技術支援版上看到一段很重要的參考對話，那些頂級攝星人，標配都是50公分卡反配Paramount ME的。給我兩個啟示，一是Paramount ME承50公分卡反絶對沒問題，二是當我的硬件和環境都和人家的差不多，前期拍攝出來的RAW圖應該分別也不大(因為追蹤、對焦曝光等不成問題)，餘下來我真正要努力的是後期處理了。
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Question :
20" RC Optical on a Paramount. Will it work with a reasonable amount of equipment? Basic CCD, etc.? Anything special I would have to do to make sure it will handle the weight?
Answer :
Yes, the Paramount ME will carry the 20-inch RCOS and associated equipment.
Since I've never personally mounted a RC 20-inch on a Paramount ME, I'm no an expert at what is required (other than lots of counterweights!).
Background:
The 20-inch RCOS with equipment exceeds the maximum capacity of the Paramount ME. Typically, the total payload is about 200 lbs.
Nonetheless, there are a number of (very prolific and well known) Paramount ME owners who use them. (And are quite happy with the performance, as I understand).
I'm not sure how many 20-inch RCOS/Paramount ME customers frequent this forum, so below are links to specific customers' web pages.
Bottom line: For the price, there is no better performing mount to carry the RCOS 20 inch telescope.
20-inch RCOS Users:
New Mexico Skies:
http://www.nmskies.com. Contact Mike Rice at
nmskies@nmskies.com for details.
Bob Gendler:
http://www.robgendlerastropics.com/Nighthawk.htmlKen Crawford:
http://www.rdelsol.com/. Click "Contact Me" on this page to email Ken. (Note that Ken now has a Paramount ME in Austrailia).
Ron Wodaski:
http://www.bb-obs.com/Russel Crowman:
http://www.rc-astro.com/equipment/observatory/index.htmKitt Peak Observing Program:
See July issue of Astronomy Magazine for a recent article (which, by the way, fails to mention the Paramount ME is the mount carrying the 20-inch RCOS).
http://www.rcopticalsystems.com/kpvisitor.htmlWest Mountain Observatory (BYU):
http://astronomy.byu.edu/wmo.php?section=20inchHope this helps.
Daniel R. Bisque
