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Posts Made By: Paul Maxson

January 28, 2005 03:12 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

The NEW Celestrons

Posted By Paul Maxson
That's what I'm thinking, of course Celestron optics have been pretty good (generally) for the past couple of years. I also see they have scrapped the carbon-fiber tube for Aluminum too.

Paul

Eric Todd said:

Interesting advertisement. It doesn't look like they changed/ improved the optics any, but a lot of electronic redesign.

Eric

January 29, 2005 11:29 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Saturn with 6" Mak

Posted By Paul Maxson
Eric,

Except for over Az where it was howling!! grin We had our good seeing the night before and if I get busy I can post a couple of nice Saturn images taken with the ED100. I did more experimenting with the C925, even tried a 6" mask to see if the issue I have was related to seeing/aperature size. But nope, the 6" images, while marginally better than at 9.25 are still not crisp at all.

Clear skies and low winds aloft!
Paul Maxson

Eric Todd said:

That's a nice Saturn! Interestingly, seeing was good over most of the US last night due to low jetstream.

Eric

January 31, 2005 04:58 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Curious image in Astronomy

Posted By Paul Maxson
...hoping my March issue is in the mailbox when I get home...hehe

Darren Drake said:

Check out the image on page 103 of the March issue of Astronomy of Neptune. It appears WAY to sharp for any back yard scope especially a 6-inch which this was appaerently taken through. Even the image of Triton appears much smaller than an airy disk would for a 6-inch. Any thoughts?

February 3, 2005 04:34 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Saturn RGB image w/ATIK-2HS & 4" APO

Posted By Paul Maxson
John,

If your previous message to me didn't register (it did), this one has me convinced I am on the right track with the Atik Camera. I plan to order at least two more filter holders soon so I can do RGB in a quick fashion. I took note of your info so I can learn from it. I don't know when I'll get the camera, but plan to post something as soon as I can, even if it is only B&W.

This sounds exciting!!
Paul Maxson

February 4, 2005 03:14 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

LPOD's back!!!!

Posted By Paul Maxson
I saw that....very exciting! Can't believe he was gone for the month.

Paul Maxson

Mike Wirths said:

Hi all,

Looks like Chuck is up and running again! Theres a cool SMART image today!

--Mike W

February 6, 2005 12:26 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Philips ToUCam 740/840 webcam mods

Posted By Paul Maxson
There are no differences between the 740 and 840 except cosmetic (the cases).

Paul

Terry Randall said:

Where does one find the mods for Philips ToUCam 740/840 webcams?

Also, what are the differences between these cameras?

Thanks for any information you can supply.


February 6, 2005 03:57 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

WebCams and the Martian Atmosphere?

Posted By Paul Maxson
Just to add my 2 cents worth, I've attached an image I made of Mars on August 17, 2003 that shows clouds over two of the volcanos on Mars as well as (maybe) a blue haze on the right side of the image.

Paul Maxson

February 7, 2005 02:55 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Meade LX-200 and Celestron Nexstar 11" GPS

Posted By Paul Maxson
I have a number of friends that own C11's and swear by them. I had one for a short time and returned it because it had a cracked corrector. In the time I had it I had it mounted on the tripod with the Starizona landing pad and fairly easily moved it from place to place...I am 53 in decent shape but arthritus in my hip and shoulder. If I could get one that I know has the optics that they are noted for I'd have one in a minute. I don't know about the Meade, but the handle setup on the C11 makes it seem less than the 80 pounds that it is (with tripod). I suspect that tracking on both models are very good and with auto-guiding as it is I don't think you will go wrong with either unit.

My 2 cents worth.
Paul Maxson

Ken Kloss said:

Can someone help me choose between these two? I will do some photography. At this point I don't know how much. I had heard that for photography that the Meade was better. It tracked better and was more steady. The Celestron was a better choice for observing. Does that mean the Celestron doesn't do photography well?

Can I go wrong with either?

Also, I am 50 years old in good shape - 5'9" 165 pounds . Would the 12" Meade be too cumbersome for one person handling this?

I appreciate your help.

Thanks,
Ken

February 7, 2005 03:00 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

My first meeting with a BIG scope

Posted By Paul Maxson
Inge,

The key is to own a scope you will use and have a friend or two with a huge scope, then offer to help them set it up for viewing.

Our club had a 16" F/10 Newtonian for a while. Climbing that ladder in a dark night sky definately gave me the willies!! I'd rather stick to the cass design these days... grin

Paul Maxson

Inge Skauvik said:

Until a couple of years ago the biggest scope I ever looked through or touched with my hands was a 10-inch SC. Lately I have got hands-on experience with 12.5-inch truss scopes (an NGT and my own Portaball), and I still consider these as pretty big scopes. Last Friday, however, I visited a friend who showed me a home-built 18-inch Dob.
That thing was HUGE! I regularly see photos of scopes bigger than that one, but such photos never give the right impression.
Pity that we couldn't try the scope. I did, however, learn one thing. An 18-inch scope is not for me. I wouldn't be able to transport it with my car, and if there was space for it, moving it into the car would cost too much effort.
The 12.5-inch lightweight Dob (particularly the Portaball) seems to be the optimum size for me. I'm generally satisfied with the views in such a scope, and I can easily handle it all by myself.

Inge S

February 8, 2005 11:16 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Saturn Last Night

Posted By Paul Maxson
Jim,

Very nice image!! Super sharp focus....I am jealous! grin

Paul Maxson

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