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Douglas Rollain

M20 Trifid Nebula in LRGBHa

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Posts Made By: Ed York

November 10, 2004 10:28 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Triangulum Galaxy (M33)

Posted By Ed York
I will echo what others have said about the clear dark skies. In my 8" reflector I have seen some nice views of M33. On those nights M31 was very very nice. In hindsight I would say if you pick up M110 pretty good when viewing M31, then M33 will likely give you a nice view.

I viewed mainly between 40x and 80x.


Ed


November 11, 2004 12:22 PM Forum: Telescope Making

A big box on the porch

Posted By Ed York
David,

If you have an 80lb mirror and want a lightweight design, may I suggest helium in the rocker box wink .

Seriously, a few months back someone posted an absolutely beautiful 8" string scope on this forum.

Ed

November 13, 2004 01:53 PM Forum: A Day in the Life of the Administrator

Somedays I should just stay in bed

Posted By Ed York
He should try yaWHO?com

Ed

November 17, 2004 02:22 AM Forum: Eyepieces

newbie eypiece ?

Posted By Ed York
Kevin,

You did not mention which 8" - the dob (f6) or the eq (f5).

I have the f5. For DSO's I typically use a Meade 24.5 SWA and jump to the Meade 14 UWA. On brighter stuff I will jump to the Meade 8.8 UWA. The 14 UWA is by far the pick of the litter.

Chasing planets, I would start with the ep's that came with it then jump to a 7mm then to a 5mm. The UO Orthos work pretty well. You could skip the 5mm and get a good barlow then step down (depending on seeing) from 10mm to 7mm to 10mm barlowed to 7mm barlowed. Your mirror will probably not handle anything stronger then the 7mm barlowed, even on the best nights.

Good luck and enjoy the scope.

Ed

November 20, 2004 08:30 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Moon with Meade DSI

Posted By Ed York
Nice shot!

November 26, 2004 04:23 AM Forum: Telescope Making

Ebony Star Questions

Posted By Ed York
Thanks all. I had seen it at Home Depot and asked a guy (who was busy at the time) how to order and how much. He told me it came 4' wide and I could order by the inch. Then he said the ballpark price was $5/sqft. Much higher then the $48 for a 4' x 8' sheet (32 sqft or $1.50/sqft). The $48 is about what I had previously heard.

I'll try Floyd's suggestion, but I never seem to have the kind of luck where I get something for free. It sounds like I should revisit my local Home Depot and question them again.

Thanks,
Ed

November 29, 2004 05:56 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Which would you choose?

Posted By Ed York
15-16" truss dob f5-f4.5 (~6ft EP height)
Premium Mirror (Swayze, Zambuto, Harry, ....)
1/25th to 1/30th quartz Antares Secondary
Feathertouch or Moonlite CR2 focuser
DSC's
Tracking platform that I can choose to drag out or not.
3 green lasers so I can point out what I looked at last, what I am looing at now, and where I am going next wink .

I would like all the parts under the tree and I would build it.

* I should have said 12.5 f6 with a Swayze mirror and all the parts to be completed because that is what I got for Christmas (early) this year. Next up, the 16 incher. I should start the 16" project in mid to late spring.

Ed

December 22, 2004 01:43 AM Forum: Telescope Making

Truss project

Posted By Ed York
David,

Center of the bearings (point you rotate around).

I would go with the 8 poles. Uniform is simple. Simple is great.

Ed

December 28, 2004 04:42 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Which finder?

Posted By Ed York
Floyd,

I've seen some of the larger scopes with the finder on the mirror box. I would think that since you are not on a ladder and it would negate the weight issue, it would be a reasonable compromise, especially to keep the 80mm finder.

I'm sure you've looked at this. What advantages and disadvantages fo you see?

Ed

December 31, 2004 01:49 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

80mm Finder

Posted By Ed York
It looks good Floyd. The black matches with the SM scheme.

I've been wrestling with a similar problem. I'm building a 12.5" f5.9. It looked like the choice was a premium (heavy EP), a telrad, or a finder. I could have 2 but not 3. On the Astrosystems page it shows a setup for Obsessions scopes where they mount the batteries to the tailgate along with the fan and controls - functional counterweights. You can play with the weight by the selection of battery size.

I think I am upgrading to a RACI finder and still get to have the other 2.

Ed

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