Algol Loc: Georgia

The large instrument is a Meade 12-inch telescope normal used at f/10. It is an Alt azimuth mount and although it does have tracking ability it suffers from field rotation. This necessarily limits exposures to 15 seconds maximum. Most of the astronomy images taken through this telescope were stacked using DeepSkyStacker (a free program).
The smaller mount carried my Canon 60Da with 50mm lens or a 70-300 mm telephoto. Exposures varied as did the f stops. It was mounted on a Celestron CG5 computerized equatorial mount.

12-inch Meade


Celestron Cg5 with Canon 60Da + 70-300mm

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

I'm thinking the Meade isn't a carry-on...

Algol Loc: Georgia

Nope not hardly and neither was the little mount I took with me, cost me extra baggage and I left it there but as I will be returning I figured what the heck.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

What is the attraction for shooting stars in Namibia?

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Zero light pollution!
http://www.livescience.com/31470-africa-night-sky-reserve.html
http://www.arebbusch.com/namibia-night-safaris-tripping-the-light-fantastic

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I understand about light pollution. My question is to OP about why he selected Namibia.
Illinois is so much closer: http://www.space.com/13782-illinois-town-homer-glen-dark-sky-community.html

Also "Flagstaff, Ariz. was the first city to earn the International Dark Sky Community title, followed by Borrego Springs, Calif."

This website lists all "Certified International Dark Sky Parks" (scroll down): http://www.darksky.org/component/content/article?id=86 , and Namibia is not listed.

Algol Loc: Georgia

I have traveled to many, many places for astronomy including Flagstaff. The two darkest places that I have even been is Peru and Namibia. Both sites are darker than Mauna Kea where the Keck telescope is located. Namibia was the first site in the world to get a Gold Tier rating from the International Dark Sky Association. There is no artificial light to be seen anywhere except the red lights at the lodge itself. The second reason I went there is that I was invited and served on the staff as resident astronomer for two months. I was told that if they like your program they would invite you back. They must like me because I was asked to fill in for another astronomer during April of this year after I had returned home in March, also I am scheduled to return in Jan., 2015. The lodge is currently booked solid until 2016, the competition to go to Namibia by astronomers world wide is that strong. another reason is that the site is in the southern hemisphere and the night sky is truly beautiful and something to behold. I do hope this answers your question as to why I went to Namibia.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Wonderful and please post more!

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Beautifully! I look forward to reading more about your future travels.

Now I wonder if tripod & tracking equipment is available for rent at the lodge. I understand an astronomer wanting his own telescope and camera, but the heavy tracking base might be easily duplicated, precluding round-trip transportation costs.

Algol Loc: Georgia

Hi Douglass, the large telescope is available at all times and there is a qualified astronomer on site to assist anyone wishing to use the instrument. As for carrying one's personal tracking unit, that is perfectly okay with the lodge. They do not unfortunately have any to rent on site but I did, as I stated, leave mine there. It is currently in storage and only the manager of the lodge will release it for use if I am contacted and say that it is okay to do so. Other photographic opportunities present itelf such as the numerous African wildlife and the scenery is simply breathtaking. If interested I can furnish you with full details on how to contact them.