If the sky today is clear.

March, how long can your power station provide the power to the telescope? I am thinking if I am going to a far dark site for observation, how long can the power station serve my notebook as well as the telescope.

This post has been edited by Mr.LKM: Jun 19 2006, 05:05 PM

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.

Is the power station's capacity in the market fixed? A higher capacity power station is always better. I think I can connect my notebook to the power station using a cigaratte power connector. It's just too bad that there are no D-size alkaline rechargable batteries around the market....... Anyway, I won't bother to get it though... If yes, I got to charge 8 batteries...

I will try this first before I go to the dark site as I scare if something bad will happen. Did you try to power your LX90 from car battery?

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.........

I just scare that the car cannot be started after using with LX90. I will try to ready my KM but I don't give it a high expectation.

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

haha, I am not rich enough to get a hp...

I'm rolling on the floor now!

Be careful! The floor is wet! I still feel that handphone is still not a must for me at the moment. I will be trying to sell my astrophotographs to earn money when I got the notebook at shutterstock.com

Im laughing at MR.LKMs statement about HPs. I bet he aiming for a Vertu thats why he can't afford it yet.

Vertu? apatu?

Cos he said he couldn't afford a handphone mah....So Im guessing that handphone he's looking for is either the Vertu Ascent or Bordeux. I think entry level is RM15000 for standard stainless steel and it goes up when you choose Gold/Platinum.....

Julchin... I will rather get a 10inch LX200GPS...

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........

Erm... I mean if I got the money to get Vertu. A 10inch telescope is really much more better than the 8inch but the weight...

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

I hope I will be strong enough to carry it after so many months of swimming training. Hopefully, I am able to participate in State Particpation.

Are you interested to join the Astronomy Talk in my school? It will be held in mid of August. Time to show the spirit of ASTRONOMER!

It's fun to share the knowledge of astrophotography together by that time. Sure, free dinner is expected. I am thinking whether to have you guys lodging at my house and have the stargazing and astronomy talk all the night!

Julchin, don't get angry, you are also in the invitation list!

When is this event?

Mid Of August if there is nothing happened during the preparation.

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!