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Douglas Rollain

M20 Trifid Nebula in LRGBHa

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Posts Made By: Rick Wiseman

July 16, 2009 08:54 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

July DSO Lists

Posted By Rick Wiseman
Dave,

As always, thank you for your monthly lists.

I had good clear skies to the south Monday evening which is unusual for me with the cities to my south. Anyway, I saw the tail of Scorpio easily down to theta and even southward. This is tough as I am at 40deg north. I was pounding the area. Saw the Bug Nebula NGC6302 - neat, it looks like an ant and the globular NGC6453 next to M7 and ALL the NGC globulars around theta Oph.

I wish I had tried for your challenge object globular NGC6380 a bit south of the stinger. I understand that it is obscured and in a rich star field. I don't know if I'll get another nice night this year, but I will try for 6380.

Rick

July 26, 2009 08:44 PM Forum: ASTRONOMY

bifocals

Posted By Rick Wiseman
Rex,

I guess we all have to get bifocals after the big 4-0. I do not normally use glasses to observe at the eyepiece. You can use focus to make up for near- and far-sightedness. Especially at low focal length, small exit pupil eyepieces, you don't need correction for astigmatism, either.

But I see way better through the finder with glasses on. Last night I was having a lot of trouble looking through the finder scope with my bifocal glasses on. Man, all those stars can't be doubles! Frustrated, I walked back to the garage to get a pair of non-bifocal glasses from previous to my own big 4-0. wink

I still need to keep my bifocals around to see my star charts and write notes. It's a pain swapping glasses on and off.

Regards,
Rick

August 2, 2009 01:10 AM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

July DSO Lists

Posted By Rick Wiseman
Dave,

I had the chance to really check the location of your challenge object, NGC 6380, but I was not able to see any trace of the globular cluster. That being said, conditions were not very good. I was not able to see some of the globular clusters in southern Ophiuchus that I saw earlier.

I will give it another try after full moon, perhaps we will have another very clear night before Scorpius is too far gone . . .

Rick

August 24, 2009 08:48 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Dark sky observing site choices - What would you do?

Posted By Rick Wiseman
Paul,

You might buy the property and set up your observatory. Then, if you really want to spend some time at the really dark site, it's only a few miles away from your equipment. You can have the best of both worlds. grin

Rick

August 26, 2009 02:39 PM Forum: Reflectors

Zhumell dob's

Posted By Rick Wiseman
James,

My primary observing scope is a Zhumell 8" dob. I love it.

The optics are quite good - see some of my earlier posts about Jupiter's moons and resolving globular clusters at 320x. The two speed focuser is very well made and operates smoothly. One of my favorite features is the right angle upright 8x50 finder scope. The upright view and the stars visible match the Pocket Sky Atlas, making it a breeze to find dim fuzzies.

I don't know what the bearing surfaces are made of, but so far they work adequately. I did NOT have to put the "plastic milk jug ring spacers" between the ground board and the azimuth axis, the azimuth bearings are again adequate. The hold down springs are a little hard to grip to pull down onto the studs, but you will learn a knack to do this quickly.

Rick

September 5, 2009 08:58 PM Forum: Politics

zero coverage...zero coverage... zero...zero

Posted By Rick Wiseman
David,

Let's see how much coverage the conservative march in Washington on September 12th draws in these media outlets.

Rick

September 16, 2009 02:44 AM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

The recession is over...

Posted By Rick Wiseman
Tony's wife:

Congratulations!

Same thing for me, personally. I was unemployed for nine months and just started my new full time job yesterday - as an engineer. Actually, two weeks ago I had no job, now I have two. I am also teaching two evening classes in engineering at a local community college.

Maybe this recession thing really is getting over.

Rick

September 30, 2009 11:47 PM Forum: Landscape Photography

Lake Superior

Posted By Rick Wiseman
Thanks for the beautiful photos and the painting, John.

I haven't been up there in 30 years, but Lake Superior has a look. The rocks, the black, crisp horizon, the clear air. Anyone that has been there can recognize it. I grew up near Lake Michigan, and have seen all five Great Lakes, and none of the others look like Superior.

You guys from California ought to see it.

Rick

October 10, 2009 01:47 AM Forum: Solar System Observing

Ganymede Transit, 10/8/09

Posted By Rick Wiseman
Thanks for the report, Jon. You express the joy we nuts get from observing - even such differing events as double stars and moon shadows.

Rick W

January 12, 2010 01:31 AM Forum: Solar System Observing

2010 Mars Apparition Charts

Posted By Rick Wiseman
Curt,

Finally got a clear night here in Ohio - we have been under the plume of clouds blowing off Lake Michigan most of the time since November...Of course, the temperature was about 8 degrees, so I made a "hit and run" 10 minute observation of Mars. The seeing was terrible, but during a few still moments, the polar cap was beautiful. Much more visible than during the past two oppositions that I observed. Mars is smaller, as advertized. Color same as sand in bright sunlight, polar cap white with a darker gray area surrounding it. I can't wait until Wed or Thurs this week with predicted clear skies and temps in the 20s.

Any other observations of Mars would be appreciated.

Rick

8" Dob at 160x.

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