Minimum crescent telescope

Version of 15. July 2010, Martin Elsaesser

Qamar Uddin from UK pressed me into listing these recommendations.
These should be suitable for imaging and tracking the moon in daytime, down to an elongation of about 10°. A dew-shield will always help to reduce stray light.
If you want to get closer to the sun, you need to consider a baffle system to shield the optics from the sun. That will greatly increase the cost of mount.

75% of the performance for daytime observation comes from the specialized software, driving a specialized camera. Costly, but worth every cent.

I have no experience with the mounts listed here and have some doubts on their properties. Another case of "you get what you pay for".

These things are NOT fool-proof!
You can destroy expensive equipment or even your eye-sight if you get to close to the sun.
Get in touch with experienced amateur astronomers to help you.
You have been warned!

Optics and mount

Cheap Optics €100
Better Optics €280
Basic Goto Mount €200
Better Goto Mount €350
Cheap Optics and mount as a set (good enough?) €230

Camera and software

Camera (not really good: color and USB1.1 only), NOT supported through the special software. €100
Far Better Camera,supported by the special software €400
Bigger Camera, supported by the special software €530
Specialized software for the better cameras. THIS is 75% of the power of the system €150
Reducer to fit the crescent in the field of view (unless you use the biggest camera) €40

Filters

IR-Block filter for the cheaper optics / cameras €30
Red Filter €15
Dark Red Filter €15
IR Pass Filter €50

Cheapest system

Combining the cheapest components which might work: 230+100+40+30+15 = €415
My main concern here is with the unknown properties of the mount and the limitations of the camera without the all-powerfull software.

Better system

Combining the safer (and more expensive) choices and using a camera suitable for the special software: 280+200+530+150+50 = €1210
Far more money, but the camera and software and filters will be a smashing success. My only worry is with the mount, which i have no experience with.


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