Took this pic around 9-10PM before I left the house for mamaking session. Lotsa stars but not knowledgable enough to name em. Those here kind enough please do so. Fist time using long exposure with my recently aquired camera so lemme know if anything can be improved for future photo taking.

Ah man. No planets? Well I guess I will continue to take shots and provide info on where Im facing the next few days should the sky be clear.....

I took the photo around 9:45PM and was facing South/West.

Ohhh I forgot about that.    You the man.

What's hdd protection? 

Ya, I normally use my notebook if I'm observing from my garden. But if I have to do some impromptu observing, it's the binoculars first, then any telescope that's light. For astrophotography with the ToUcam or something like your LPI, of course the notebook is compulsory.
I don't think you really need any exceptional graphics capability for most astronomy software. BTW SNP looks nicer with OpenGL support but it's not a big deal.

Are you planning on getting the Core Duo or Turion X2 chipset?

Just remember battery life is very important when you are out observing for hours....processing power is secondary. My old Centrino can last me about 2 hours of almost continous recording with the ToUcam. Pretty good for a 2 year old notebook and original battery!

AAArrggg! Also missed last night's Mars-Saturn Conjunction. Sky was totally clouded over.

BTW on 29th June, we have the amazing alignment of the Moon, Mars, Saturn and Mercury in the evening sky. All within about 20 degrees of the sky. Don't need wide angle lens to shoot this event!

Wah, must bookmark this date.
Whats that? A generator running on petrol/diesel?

Wow. Rather interesting gadgets you both have. Looks like its mostly the 3 of use chatting here these days.

I would really like to see the rig/equipments you guys use. Hope you guys can post pics of your setup for this hobby....

I have found that a fully charged Power Station can easily drive the LX90 for nearly a week with an average amount of slewing. But if you keep star hopping every few seconds (that means you don't stop to observe  ), it might only get you through the night!

However, if I plug in the notebook as well, it can only last for about 30-60 minutes. This is because it is not only powering the notebook, but also charging up the notebook battery. I can still run the notebook for another 60 to 90 minutes after that. So all in, I can keep the notebook alive for about 4-6 hours with all the power saving features enabled. That's more than enough for a night of intense star gazing......

You can bring along some fresh D-size alkaline batteries to use in the LX90 just in case you make the mistake of running down the Power Station too much, and you still want to continue the viewing session until morning.

Unfortunately, a higher capacity power station will be bulkier and less portable. D-size rechargeable batteries will also cost much more than the Power Station and have lower current & storage capacity so it makes no sense to use them. Might as well buy another power station for standby. 

There is no problem powering the LX90 from a car battery. Only problem is the weight of the battery. I think it weighs more than the LX90!  It will break your back if you have to carry one uphill. But if the telescope is operating near the car, use the extension cable and plug the LX90 to the cigarette lighter socket. The LX90 was designed with that in mind. 

BTW, for the June 29th event, you won't really need the telescope. This will be one of those situations where almost any camera with a standard lens can be used. It's more a matter of judging what exposure to use......But if you can piggy back the camera on the LX90, and you go to a really dark site, the results should be amazing! The sky will be like full of diamonds.........

Hahaha.....make sure you bring along your handphone and dial 911 if that happens. 

    I'm rolling on the floor now!

Silly me....I thought the Vertu was an extremely rare species of Tarantula.   But now I want a Vertu!
Wow, wonder what it will feel like to dial 911 from one? "Hello Emergency Services? I'm calling on my Vertu. You'd better come and fetch me home or else....."

Mr.LKM, thinking of upgrading already ah?  I'm falling down onto the floor again........

Ya, the 10 inch LX200 is a little heavy for Asians. But it's kacang puteh to the Americans. 

When is this event?

Please keep us informed of any changes. 

For your info, the movie `Contact' will be shown on Astro's HBO tomorrow evening at 6.35 pm and again on Saturday at 3.30 pm. I think I'll watch it again. 

BTW if you had forgotten to invite julchin_09  , he could release a whole lot of fierce Pterinochilus murinus to gate crash the party!

I'm honoured and flattered that you think it is good enough to have a place in your blog! 
Please feel free to do so.

Mr.LKM, here're two very challenging shoots for you.

1. Space Shuttle Discovery is now docked at the ISS for at least 10 days. See if you can  catch them in their mating position.

2. Jupiter's two red spots (the Great one and Jr) are colliding! Next week will be fantastic time to try to photograph the planet. It's anybody's guess what will happen to the two spots. Will they merge or totally break up? It may be everybody's last chance to shoot the Great Red Spot.....

Unfortunately I have had to return the LX90 I was using, so no chance for me to try for these.