Measuring Double Stars with a Dobsonian Telescope by the Video Drift Method (Abstract)

Volume 42 number 2 (2014)

Rick Wasson

24445 Epson Court, Murrieta, CA 92562; ricksshobs@verizon.net

Abstract

(Abstract only) Equipment, observing procedures, data reduction techniques, and software the author uses to measure double stars with a Dobsonian telescope by the Video Drift Method are described in detail. Challenges encountered with an Alt-Az telescope and data reduction, such as calibration, a continuously rotating field, and digital video pitfalls, along with ways to overcome them are discussed. Early measures from 2011 are presented and compared with measures of well-established sources, validating the use of a Dobsonian telescope to measure double stars by the Video Drift Method.