Posts Made By: Daryl Crowley

I have an 5" Apex Mak from Orion. It has a correct image 90 degree diagonal. I have been told how much light I'm losing from the correct image 90 but usually my tests of removing it resulted in very little difference with this small scope.

However the other night with seeing about 9 out of 10 I tried taking out the 60 again and I definitely did see improvement in the image. But of course without the 90 in there it was neck breaking to look through it.

I like the correct image as I am a star hopper and it sure makes finding things much easier as my finder scope is correct image too.

My question is: if I replaced the correct image 90 with a standard image 90, would I see the same image as without the 90 or something in between that and the correct image 90?

Daryl

I got a buddy who's willing to spend about $500 - $700 for dollars binoculars, tripod, and mount for his wife for Christmas. He has asked for my help in picking something out.

For that budget I'm assuming some 80 or 100mm in 20X or 25X, no problem. But since that budget won't allow for a fork mount too, what would you suggest for a tripod and mount? I'm assuming the inclusion of a parallelogram because she has small children and that would be a plus. She has a moderate sized telescope but the binoculars is what she needs right now.

I appreciate any suggestions you would have on a mounting system that would hold the above binoculars steady and stay under $700 max. Is there fluid pan head that will support that size bino? I assume around $400 for the binos.

Thanks.

Daryl

I have always wondered about the following but was afraid to ask (actually not afraid, just never remembered, until now.)

When we look at stars we are obviously not seeing the surface of the star but the glare of light. Stars, even given their huge size would be too small to see at distances measured in light years.

So what is the apparent size of star for a given magnitude? Does the apparent size of say, Vega cover an area of several light hours, or more? Obviously it would be different for combinations of distance and brightness.

Just curious (but then of course that's why I love this hobby.)

Daryl

I am looking for some new software similar to Power Age Sky Simulator. That package worked great for me but about a year after I bought the product it tells me my "demo" version has expired even though it is NOT a demo, and it wont load anymore. All attempts to contact the company are ignored, so they can go straight to the core of the Sun as far as I'm concerned. I even tried to buy the latest version (although I shouldn't have to) but their Web site said my credit card was not valid, but of course it is a valid card! So despite their great product, I will no longer consider them. That said, here is what I am looking for.

I want to be able to zoom in on any part of the sky and print the various levels of zoom.

I want to be able to control the magnitude of stars displayed on the screen and printed copies.

I want it to show and label all DSO to at least Mag 12.

I want the ability to turn constellation lines on and off.

I want to set the time and location and all that obvious stuff.


Beyond that I don't really need a lot of other features. Other features would be OK if they don't get in the way.

When seeking a particular DSO I like to print a naked eye view of the area of the sky that contains the DSO. Then I like to print a slightly zoomed in view that would represent what I can see in the finder scope with a slight increase in the magnitude of stars showing. Then I like to print a close up with much a greater magnitude of stars that represents what I will see in the eyepiece so I can zero in on my target.

What suggestions do you have for software that will accomplish this? I appreciate any suggestions that you have. I looked at things like "Distant Suns" but it has a lot of whistles and bells and doesn't seem to do the basic stuff that I listed above. Thanks for any input.

Daryl

I got my green laser pointer this week and I must admit that it is way cool. It makes those red pointers you use during Powerpoint meetings look pathetic. The fun factor on this green job is way way over the scale. It certainly easy to see the temptation to point it at airplanes and before all the hype I guess it would be a natural to try it. The ability to write your name on clouds is pretty neat to say the least.

I bought it for our astronomy club presentations and the ability to touch stars is going to facilitate education greatly.

Now if it just made that Zzzzzzz sound like a light saber.........

Daryl

As an avid trout fisherman (my other passion) I was pleased to see that maybe even God is a catch-and-release fisherman based on the attached observation!

Actually, its a piece of artwork combining astonomical images and fishing scenes. This is one of a series, if you like this let me know and I would be happy to share others. I call this one Starfish.

Daryl

I really want to go here

Since you liked the first one, here is another.

These images are really quite large and high resolution, I had to par them way down to get in the ½ meg limit.

This is titled Cosmic Hatch.
Daryl

I wasn't sure which forum to put this on so since this is the one I visit most, here goes.

I'm looking to start an astronomy club in my town with a retired astronomer. (He put the first automated tracking devices on the big telescopes on Mt Palomar and he lives in my home town in rural Michigan - no kidding.)

Anyway, is anyone aware of any Internet resources that provide guidance and suggestions in forming and managing an astronomy club? I have ideas but I am always open to suggestions from those that have been there.

Thanks.

Daryl

You lucky guy. A pair of 15 X 70s is high on my want list. There are a great many times that the binoculars will outperform even big scopes. Many things are just better such as M33 and M100 and of course clusters like M8 were made for binoculars. There is nothing wrong with your DOB, just use it for really deep space and planets. Binoculars rule! I have a 5 inch Mak and a lot of times my binoculars (a cheap pair of 10X40s) are more fun.

I misspoke when I said M100 It should have said M101 - Daryl