Re: Newbie with questions

[P3D David C. Glick <xid@xxxxxxx>]

John W Roberts <roberts@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> said:

>Not so fast! You could have the rocket eject two 2D cameras, which hang
>down from their own parachutes (thus pointing straight down), take circular
>photos, and are timed to photograph a certain time after going to zero-G
>(for instance). You could put a spring in to push the cameras apart, or
>just rely on turbulence of the air to get the proper separation on some
>of the launches.

Or launch two identical rockets with identical timers at the same time, and
release a single  parachute/timed camera from each, as John Roberts
describes.  Or, if not much is moving in the subject area, and simultaneous
launches are a problem, launch one soon after the other.

There would be a lot fewer variables in aiming the camera if we were talking
about model airplanes, flying along a straight, horizontal path, rather than
parachutes.  Are there model rockets that could release a glider containing
a camera with a timer (or radio-triggered camera)?  

In any case, all of these options using 2-D cameras would allow for
relatively light, inexpensive plastic bodied cameras.

However, I do see a possible advantage for a 3-D camera (again pointing down
from a parachute).  If you've got various earlier rocket stages descending
by parachute below the camera, a 3-D camera (or 2 2-Ds side by side) might
give enough separation to see those parachutes in stereo relative to the ground.

Sounds like a good project!

Dave Glick      xid@xxxxxxx


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