From: "Tom Krajci" 
To: 
Cc: 
Reply-To: "Tom Krajci" 


>From: Vibhu Veerabadrappa 

>...I am having trouble aiming and locating at the galaxies. I tried
M81,
>M82 and M51 without success....

See: http://overton.tamu.edu/aset/krajci/ Specifically:
http://overton.tamu.edu/aset/krajci/dobsonian/dobsonian.htm
...which has pictures of my alt/az setting circles.  (mentioned at bottom of  page)

I have written QBASIC code that converts RA/Dec to alt/az.  It runs on my
286 and 386 laptops just fine.  Want a copy?  Just ask.  It has data files
for locations of Messier, NGC, IC, Barnard, PK, Mel, Pismis, etc.

You will need to modify the code to suit your scope's setup...circumference
of your 'tape measure' azimuth setting circle, etc.  I can help if you are
uncomfortable with QBASIC.  Once your scope and software are set up
properly...you can locate planets and stars in broad daylight, after
aligning on the sun or moon.  Once you get the hang of the software, you
won't need your finder after initial alignment...you should be able to put
the desired object in your low power eyepiece field of view by setting
circles alone.

If others, such as on the Yahoo Skyquest forum would find this info and
software useful, please cross post to them.

I hope this helps,
Tom Krajci
Tashkent, Uzbekistan

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