I consider this on topic since it is a form of visual satellite observation. I use a 1980 vintage Celestron 8". I typically use a 40 or 25 mm eyepiece although if the conditions are ok I might use a 17 mm or so for slow movinf faint objects. I do use a computerized setting circles (Astromaster) and that really helps when the point I want to observe is not easily found by star-hopping. I can usually see 11th magnitude and sometimes 12 or lower with my 8". Bigger telescopes will go fainter. I am giving "some" thought to the newer scopes that slew to objects and can be controlled via computer. That probably has limited use to obtain positions since I like to set up where I can get good stars and wait until the satellite passes through the field of view. In that case, a Dobsonian would be fine as long as you can star-hop. What I really need is a 12" or larger; computerized with CCD capability. But reality is such that I don't. I have seen many geosynchs, one Molniya at apogee and Chandra at a range of almost 116,000 km. Ease of use should be considered as well. It is easy to take the 8" outside, setup, align the Astromaster and use. Much larger and it would not be portable. As far as suggestions, for a computerized unit look at the Meade and Celestron units. Ron Lee ----------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe from SeeSat-L by sending a message with 'unsubscribe' in the SUBJECT to SeeSat-L-request@lists.satellite.eu.org http://www2.satellite.eu.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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