an introduction

[stephen chambers <smunch@clara.co.uk>]

Dear All,

Please let me introduce myself to you and explain a little about the 
project I am planning.

My name is Steve Chambers I live in the UK and have been a keen ATM for 
a number of years.  I also have some experience with CCD cameras, 
electronics and imaging.

For the last year or so I have been looking at the possibility of doing 
my own sky survey using drift-scanning techniques.  I am close to the 
stage of building something so would be grateful for any comments.

The plan is to use a fixed ST-7 and 135mm lens mounted in a box with 
some temperature control.   I believe the cost of hard disk space has 
now dropped to the point that all data from clear nights can be stored 
and archived.  I would like to make this data generally available; 
probably using an email interface.  Eg a web page could contain 
information on dates that images of a given RA are available and a 
request for the file could be made by automated e-mail.

This set-up is best suited to scanning near the celestial equator.  
Could someone tell me if this region is being scanned to death?  I know 
I will run into smearing problems moving away form the equator but 
prefer to collect interesting data rather than try to replicate surveys 
done with better equipment.   The strip of sky I would be looking at 
would be about 2 degrees wide and I would probably be prepared to go up 
to a dec of 10 degrees north.  I know this doesn’t give much 
flexibility but can anyone recommend a DEC. 

Best Regards,

Steve.

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