Choosing and Using a Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope : A Guide to Commercial SCTs and Maksutovs

by Rod Mollise

Amateur astronomy is becoming increasingly popular, mostly because of the availability of relatively low-cost astronomical telescopes such as the Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutovs. The author describes what these instruments will do, how to use them, and which are the best - he draws on 25-years of experience with telescopes. There are sections on accessories, observing techniques, and hints and tips cleaning, collimating, maintaining the telescope, mounting, using the telescope in various conditions, computer control, and imaging (wet, digital and CCD). This is the perfect book for amateur astronomers who are about to invest in a new Schmidt-Cassegrain or Maksutov telescope, or for those who already have one and want to get the most out of it.

357 pages, Paperback

First published March 5, 2001

Reviews

[Pete daPixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Around 30 years ago I was invited to become a founder member of an Astronomy Centre, somewhere in the hills around east Lancashire. The invite was to donate money to a couple of hairy Manchester University Astro students who wanted to build an observatory somewhere only sheep inhabit. Well, for years I sent them money, then dropped out, (again), and that's the last I heard of it. A couple of weeks back during an internet surf I re-discovered 'The Astronomy Centre', now all built and up and running, in the desolate god forsaken nowhere sat upon the Lancashire moors. Saturday nights are open to visitors, so last night I tracked the place down. Now, here in the U.K. the night sky is very rarely good 'seeing', but then again what is poor 'seeing' when armed with a 400mm Meade. First we looked at Venus, then just a few degrees away we could find Mercury. Through the mirk, Mars, then to complete our solar system tour we said hello to Saturn. All before 22:00hrs. Even though the sky wasn't getting any better, we sat in the observatory dome at the computer and clicked the mouse, to send the beast whirring onto various star clusters and Messier objects visible through our small patch of clear-ish sky. My highlight, or should that be dimlight of the evening was NGC2392 the Eskimo Nebula in Gemini. This mind-blower is a cool 2,870 light years away, but I saw Quinn! Maybe not quite as spectacular as the Hubble Space scope but no complains from me. Oooh what a night it was a night, it was such a night.
Which brings me to Rod Mollise's book. For the amateur astronomer who considers investing in the Schmidt-Cassegrain or Maksutov world of telescopes, this book is just spot on. These scopes don't just hang on a tripod so you can peep through the thin end. There are lots of factors to consider. The book is packed with hints and tips that only someone with years of experience gets. Maintaining, mounting, computer linking and astro photography are all included with their individual do's and don't's. 'Choosing and Using a Schmitt-Cassegrain Telescope' is money well spent, before really dishing out the dosh.