Using TouCam

Hi,
Do I just go out and buy a TouCam, or do I need to buy adaptors, or adapt the TouCam for use with a telescope. This seems to be a very popular method but I can find no 'getting started'info on setting up.
StephenK.

Stephen,

The version of the toucam to get os the Toucam PRO. It can be either be Philips Toucam Pro or the Philips Toucam Pro II - either will do.
However, if it doesn't say the word PRO, don't buy it.

To connect it to a computer, you simply plug the camera lead into the USB port of your PC/laptop.

To connect it into the scope, you do the following:
- Unscrew the front lens on the camera and keep in a safe place for future use
- Get a 35mm film canister, cut the end off of it and sellotape the wider end onto the webcam such that the webcam chip appears dead centre in the film canister.
- Simply put this into the diagonal/focuser of the telescope
- Free software off the net will record the video clip and process it to get your final image.

Alternatively, there is an adapter, called a Mogg adaptor, which one can get which does the job of the film canister and makes it all a bit more secure and ensures the webcam chip is aligned correctly to the cone of light coming through the scope. However, for starters, the film canister will do fine.

Ideally, for this sort of work you'd need a scope that can track - ie has some sort of equatorial mount or electric drives of some sort. It would be very difficult to use this with a dob.

Obviously anything you do to your webcam is at your own risk etc....
However, it's a fairly simple procedure and thousands of astronomers are doing this worldwide.

BTW, if you really want to get into this webcam imaging, the question you will need to ask yourself is do you want to get a dob?
A dob won't have tracking, but to get the same size scope will cost more. I just had a look at the Andromeda Optics website for example and a normal 8" dob will cost €750 or one which can track on an equatorial mount will cost €875 + the cost of a single axis motor (say €50 for example - just a guess as I don't know the exact figure).
www.andromedaoptics.com/reflec.html
Also, don't be afraid to shop around either and get the best deal you can afford.

Is this within your budget or does this sort of money come as a bit of a shock?

Michael

I had a fair idea how much it would all cost. I have to justify the expense with the amount of time I have on my hands. Its just a matter of taking the plunge....I just want to make sure I make a reasonably intelligent choice, hence the various questions on scopes and cameras. Thanks.

Stephen,.

As you're based in Dublin, there are a few astronomy clubs up there. I can't emphasise enough how important it is for you to try out a few different scopes before laying down the dosh. It's all very good in theory but you may find that the practical aspects of one type of scope may not be to you liking.
I'd strongly recommend attending the meetings when they start up in the autumn and head along to their public observing sessions. I know the members there would only be too happy to assist you in whatever way they can. We've all been in the same position before and can understand how difficult a decision it is you are trying to make.
In the interim, keep asking those questions and we'll try and answer them in the best way we can as it's always best to make an informed decision.

Clear skies,

Michael

And from personal experience (and my 2 cents worth!), consider building a scope! Don't laugh at me! I did it for the first time whan I was 17. I used my leaving cert construction studies project as an excuse to build one. It gave me the time and tools to do so. And I might add, I received very little help at all, as it had to be done on my own. But of course, I had guidance from the more experienced TAS members at the time.
A great book to get your hands on if you are lucky enough is:

The handbook to Telescope Making (or very close to) by Neale E. Howard.

At the time, I did bob-a-jobs for nearly 2 years to save up the money for the mirror etc. It sounds like you have most of the money already Stephen. In the end, I had an 8" scope with a skeleton tube assembly on a (slightly rough) equatorial mount! I am currently refurbishing it and saving more dough to get a mtorised mount for it - blasted expensive buggers! :x

Seanie.

Really just a reiteration of the comments made already. (couldn't reply immediately as this form seemed to be offline at lunchtime).

Get a TouCam Pro (the beautiful silver webcam) and a Mogg adapter.
Links for buying are on the East Antrim astrophotography resources page.

www.eaas.co.uk

For a telescope, an equatorially mounted motorised scope is really a necessity. I tried using my ED80mm without the motor on to test it and it is darn impossible to keep a high magnification, smooth tracking, focused image and capture on your PC at the same time. Touching the scope while capturing is a big no-no as vibrations are seen easily from the webcam.

Hope this helps



MarkDJ