wrote:

Thanks for the link. One question I have always had about dobs is, How
do you point a dobs? Do they have setting circles? I have had a few
inexpensive refractors all with setting circles but never a dobs.

Dobs are (typically) an all-manual affair. You start by pointing them
roughly in the right direction with your knowledge of constellations
(or a map), you then use the telrad and/or finder to get closer,
likely aided by maps (if it's not an object you are familiar with),
then get to the eyepiece and star-hop to the right spot. To track you
nudge it every now and then to keep the target in the field of view,
or if you have a really smooth one track constantly with your hand or
nose. It's easier than it sounds, but not to everyones taste.

There are digital setting circles ("mechanical" setting circles aren't
possible as the axes of the mount aren't aligned with the rotation of
the earth/celestial coordinates) and goto for dobs, but they are less
common with dobs than other mounts.

This may be patronising, but... Incidentally, the singular is usually
"dob" (or "Dob"?). It's a contraction of "Dobsonian", a style of mount
invented by John Dobson. A search on the net should find you some info
on the man and the mount.


Tim
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