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my backyard. 


What kind of telescope do you use most often?  How many do you have?  What would be your "dream scope"?
Doug:   I have a Meade 8" LX200 GOTO  telescope. 
I have two telescopes:  the 8" Meade and the one sits in my living room.
My  "dream scope" would be anything in a dome and on a pier so I could just walk out, open the dome and start viewing.  I don't like the time it takes to set up before you can start viewing.


What is you favorite viewing site and with whom do you like to view?
Doug:  My favorite viewing site would have to be Mt. Wilson in California.  My son's girlfriend is a volunteer there in the Telescopes for Education Program.  I have had the great opportunity on a number of occasions to use some of the telescopes there at the Observatory - the Hooker 100" and the 60" telescopes.  Last summer the LA Astronomy reserved the 60" scope for the night to view Mars.  I was able to attend.  I also got to view through the 24" in a dome.
My favorite times for viewing are the star parties with lots of kids.  To be able to show a child Saturn in a telescope for the first time is really something special.

What is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen through a telescope?
Doug:  The Orion Nebula - I wish I could say something that sounds more sophisticated - but it would have to be M42.  Out at the FWAS site using the 10" Dob, the expanse and brightness of it are just amazing.


What do you enjoy looking at the most? Messier object, galaxies, variable stars, etc.? 
Doug:  I really enjoy the planets the most.  My favorite is Saturn with its rings wide open.  I did a lot of imaging of Mars last summer.  The Mars Star Parties at the Museum were unbelievable.  So many people came wanting to see Mars.  Of course, we had to minimize some of their expectations a little.  So many people had been mislead about what they would be able to see.  Many were expecting Mars as seen through the Hubble.  Even after coming back to Earth most were thrilled and excited to see it.

Have you ever done any astrophotography or imaging?  What kind of equipment did you use?
Doug:  I have a cookbook 245 kit built, water cooled CCD camera.  I also have two web cams one B&W and the other color. Both are Quick Cam Olympus OMI 35mm.
I have a new Canon Digital
I am most proud the pictures I took of Mars at opposition.

What has proved to be your most elusive target?
Doug:  I am not much of a star hunter but I got really excited about imaging M51, the Whirlpool Galaxy, especially since I had never been able to see it in my telescope!

Beyond basic equipment, what three things do you always take with you when observing?
Doug:  I take my red flashlight and Will Tirion Sky Atlas 2000.

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