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any way to use Amazon Fire tablet in front of telescope ep?



 
 
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  #11  
Old January 20th 17, 10:12 AM posted to sci.astro.amateur
Martin Brown
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Default any way to use Amazon Fire tablet in front of telescope ep?

On 20/01/2017 01:01, RichA wrote:
On Wednesday, 18 January 2017 12:01:17 UTC-5, Chris L Peterson wrote:
On Wed, 18 Jan 2017 08:10:56 -0800 (PST), wrote:

On Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at 10:48:34 AM UTC-5, Chris L Peterson wrote:
On Tue, 17 Jan 2017 22:44:04 -0800 (PST), RichA
wrote:

Easiest solution. Large scale image and plugs right into a tablet, laptop, etc.
Might need a usb to mini-usb conversion cable.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-2MP-Tele...UAAOSwzaJX4k-n

There are a great many solutions that are better than using a tablet.
But the question was prompted by the fact that there's a tablet in
hand, with no need buy something else.

Certainly, if purchasing a mount of some kind for the tablet ends up
costing more than a simple device like the one you link, that's
something to seriously consider. But if a bracket can be put together
for free, or a couple of bucks worth of hardware, trying that makes
perfect sense.

The tablet adapters I have seen are rather pricey.


Yes. But that adapter made from a u-bolt and a stiff panel looked like
a possibility. Depends upon how handy the OP is.


Tablets are heavy. ETX90 mounts are not particularly stable or robust.
I'd be using a video eyepiece of some kind to minimize the aggravation.


Any cheap webcam and a few random plumbing part to use one afocally - it
just require a bit of patience to centre it up and make it rigid.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown
  #12  
Old January 20th 17, 04:27 PM posted to sci.astro.amateur
Chris L Peterson
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Default any way to use Amazon Fire tablet in front of telescope ep?

On Fri, 20 Jan 2017 09:12:18 +0000, Martin Brown
wrote:

Any cheap webcam and a few random plumbing part to use one afocally - it
just require a bit of patience to centre it up and make it rigid.


Although it's never been an issue for me, I'll note that quite a few
video astronomers don't like any sort of camera that requires using a
computer. For many, the simplicity of an analog cable and basic TV
monitor is part of the attraction. For those with this mindset, a
tablet attached directly to the eyepiece might be desirable- a one
component video imaging system.
  #13  
Old January 21st 17, 06:22 PM posted to sci.astro.amateur
David[_17_]
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Default any way to use Amazon Fire tablet in front of telescope ep?

On 01/20/2017 10:27 AM, Chris L Peterson wrote:
On Fri, 20 Jan 2017 09:12:18 +0000, Martin Brown
wrote:

Any cheap webcam and a few random plumbing part to use one afocally - it
just require a bit of patience to centre it up and make it rigid.


Although it's never been an issue for me, I'll note that quite a few
video astronomers don't like any sort of camera that requires using a
computer. For many, the simplicity of an analog cable and basic TV
monitor is part of the attraction. For those with this mindset, a
tablet attached directly to the eyepiece might be desirable- a one
component video imaging system.



Well, guys, although initially I was going to use the tablet, I decided
not to after thinking about the possible weight issues. An old laptop
with webcam brought out was going to be the way, but the laptop's hard
drive died within the first few minutes of use. I've since got it going
again and rather cheaply with a substitute CF card and CF to IDE
adapter, so I'm back in business. Just waiting for some clear skies
again to try out the system. I also found what I think was an eyepiece
projection adapter for the Scopetronix 40 I have, but I believe the
interface was made for a Coolpix camera. I can unscrew that coupler and
maybe put the webcam there. Not sure how well or poorly this would do
compared to just using the webcam prime focus, but the found adapter is
here to try.

As a back up, I do have the Meade electronic eyepiece and portable DVD
player input working. However, such a system has only half the
resolution of the webcam.
  #14  
Old January 22nd 17, 11:54 AM posted to sci.astro.amateur
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Default any way to use Amazon Fire tablet in front of telescope ep?

On Friday, January 20, 2017 at 4:12:20 AM UTC-5, Martin Brown wrote:

Any cheap webcam and a few random plumbing part to use one afocally - it
just require a bit of patience to centre it up and make it rigid.


And maybe some duck tape.

The webcam will give much better results with its lens removed and the camera used in either "prime" focus or with eyepiece or Barlow. YMMV.

  #15  
Old January 22nd 17, 11:58 AM posted to sci.astro.amateur
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Default any way to use Amazon Fire tablet in front of telescope ep?

On Friday, January 20, 2017 at 10:27:37 AM UTC-5, Chris L Peterson wrote:
On Fri, 20 Jan 2017 09:12:18 +0000, Martin Brown
wrote:

Any cheap webcam and a few random plumbing part to use one afocally - it
just require a bit of patience to centre it up and make it rigid.


Although it's never been an issue for me, I'll note that quite a few
video astronomers don't like any sort of camera that requires using a
computer. For many, the simplicity of an analog cable and basic TV
monitor is part of the attraction. For those with this mindset, a
tablet attached directly to the eyepiece might be desirable- a one
component video imaging system.


The term "mindset" has a negative connotation. Having to have a PC to run an imaging system adds a layer of complexity that might be undesirable in some situations.
  #16  
Old January 22nd 17, 12:03 PM posted to sci.astro.amateur
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Default any way to use Amazon Fire tablet in front of telescope ep?

On Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 12:22:26 PM UTC-5, David wrote:
On 01/20/2017 10:27 AM, Chris L Peterson wrote:
On Fri, 20 Jan 2017 09:12:18 +0000, Martin Brown
wrote:

Any cheap webcam and a few random plumbing part to use one afocally - it
just require a bit of patience to centre it up and make it rigid.


Although it's never been an issue for me, I'll note that quite a few
video astronomers don't like any sort of camera that requires using a
computer. For many, the simplicity of an analog cable and basic TV
monitor is part of the attraction. For those with this mindset, a
tablet attached directly to the eyepiece might be desirable- a one
component video imaging system.



Well, guys, although initially I was going to use the tablet, I decided
not to after thinking about the possible weight issues. An old laptop
with webcam brought out was going to be the way, but the laptop's hard
drive died within the first few minutes of use. I've since got it going
again and rather cheaply with a substitute CF card and CF to IDE
adapter, so I'm back in business. Just waiting for some clear skies
again to try out the system. I also found what I think was an eyepiece
projection adapter for the Scopetronix 40 I have, but I believe the
interface was made for a Coolpix camera. I can unscrew that coupler and
maybe put the webcam there. Not sure how well or poorly this would do
compared to just using the webcam prime focus, but the found adapter is
here to try.

As a back up, I do have the Meade electronic eyepiece and portable DVD
player input working. However, such a system has only half the
resolution of the webcam.


Many of the kids might never have had a good look at the Moon through any sort of telescope.

  #17  
Old January 22nd 17, 12:12 PM posted to sci.astro.amateur
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Default any way to use Amazon Fire tablet in front of telescope ep?

On Monday, January 16, 2017 at 2:44:25 PM UTC-5, Mike Collins wrote:

I have a "toy" telescope (Skywatcher infinity 76" which I thought would be
interesting to my grandchildren.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=in...JtuC-IIMsAM%3A


The blurbs on this scope indicate that it has a parabolized primary. Can you verify? Does the secondary give full illumination?
  #18  
Old January 22nd 17, 12:15 PM posted to sci.astro.amateur
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Default any way to use Amazon Fire tablet in front of telescope ep?

On Monday, January 16, 2017 at 7:36:27 PM UTC-5, RichA wrote:

Very cumbersome method. Why not just let people look through the eyepiece
unless you plan on taking videos which except for the Moon would be a wasted
exercise with an ETX 90?


It would be politically incorrect not to use video, Rich.

  #19  
Old January 22nd 17, 12:21 PM posted to sci.astro.amateur
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Default any way to use Amazon Fire tablet in front of telescope ep?

On Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at 2:21:16 AM UTC-5, Chris.B wrote:
On Tuesday, 17 January 2017 01:36:27 UTC+1, RichA wrote:
On Monday, 16 January 2017 13:12:41 UTC-5, David wrote:
A friend just donated an Amazon Fire tablet to the school. This is the
latest, cheapest model ($49 I believe on Amazon). It seems to have a
built in 720p camera. Two questions:

1) Can I use it in front of the ep we use for our ETX-90, that being
Scopetronix 40mm and 14mm eyepieces?

2) What adapter would I need?

3) What sort of image scale could I expect on the screen?

This is the first time I've ever run across such a device (tablet), so
not very familiar with it, but if we can get it going to use as a basic
camera in front of the eyepiece, it would be the most convenient set up
yet.

thanks,
Dave


Very cumbersome method. Why not just let people look through the eyepiece unless you plan on taking videos which except for the Moon would be a wasted exercise with an ETX 90?


Group enjoyment instead of standing in a queue?


Or they can just look at lunar images on their cell phones while waiting in line?
  #20  
Old January 25th 17, 05:09 AM posted to sci.astro.amateur
RichA[_6_]
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Posts: 1,076
Default any way to use Amazon Fire tablet in front of telescope ep?

On Sunday, 22 January 2017 05:54:11 UTC-5, wrote:
On Friday, January 20, 2017 at 4:12:20 AM UTC-5, Martin Brown wrote:

Any cheap webcam and a few random plumbing part to use one afocally - it
just require a bit of patience to centre it up and make it rigid.


And maybe some duck tape.

The webcam will give much better results with its lens removed and the camera used in either "prime" focus or with eyepiece or Barlow. YMMV.


Plus, the sensors are so small no eyepiece is needed to image planets.
 




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