Clark, Yeah, Vernal is a bit far... ;o) I never get tired of looking at M13 (and the more aperture you throw at it, the more amazing it looks). DSCs = Digital Setting Circles. It consists of two optical encoders that are mounted on each axis of your telescope mount that feed data to a small (2"x4") "computer" (via RS232 connectors) that contains stored positional data for stars, the planets (you can easily find pluto for example), and thousands of deep-sky fare (the one I use, Sky Commander, has the entire NGC, Messier and IC catalogs, along with a few others). All you need to do is give it the current date, provide a two-star alignment setup, and it then knows where to point you. I'm totally hooked on this little beast. I think I paid about $400 for it a few years back, FWIW. Wishing you clear skies this weekend! Rich --- Clark Hall <pilot@ubtanet.com> wrote:
Rich, I set up in my back yard last night for a while not until 1:30 though. My daughter and I found the Great Hercules Globular Cluster what a sight, it was the first time to see that one. We also spent some time on the comet, Saturn and Jupiter. My friend Tom Howells and I are going out tonight and you are invited but I doubt you want to drive to Vernal.
You mention a DSC, what is that?
Thanks, Clark Hall
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