Posts Made By: Michael Sandy

This "fall" was captured on a security camera. I saw the video of it last night. I'll see if I can finmd a link......but you might google it if you want to see the impact.

I own a Giro III on an AP Tripod, and use it to mount a TV102. I've found that combination to be very smooth and stable - with a lot more capacity than I need right now. I see no vibation with this set-up at all, even when pushing close to 300X. I really like this little mount.

Very nice image Mike! I love this target.......I intend to capture a few photons from it myself it the skies ever clear.

So there's a new sheriff in town..........

Hi Rod,

Since your link was to an editorial piece, exactly which of the writer's various opinions are you pointing to as the "example"? If you are suggesting that the fact that too many people can't discern the difference between factual reporting (an increasing rare occurrence today) and the opinions offered in editorial hit pieces is an embarrassment before the rest of the world, I'd guess I'd have to agree......

Hi Lee,

Boy this is a tough one - and it depends on what you want in the end. If the firearm has some real value, do it right (meaning professionally).....if it is just a family heirloom - clean it up but don't change it that much (meaning leave it rustic). The trouble with bluing - unless you have the hot tanks to do it right - cold processing will not give you a very favorable result - at least not in my experience. If you want it to look really nice have a professional gunsmith do it - but that is expensive. If it is just a family piece and a shooter at that - refinish the wood as best you can and leave the steel as is......it gives it character IMHO.

Okay Rex,

This will be my only warning. Stop where you are - step away from the keyboard - put down that credit card!!!! You are on very dangerous ground my friend! I was there about seven years ago thinking exactly the same thing.....just one nice size meteorite, something cheap - I can handle it. I was wrong - and I have maybe 40 kg of rock to prove it......so don't say you weren't warned!

There are several ways to move forward.....if you just want a meteorite, I'd recommend an unclassified NWA (Northwest Africa - usually acquired by the dealers in Morrocco). These are fairly inexpensive right now (as far as meteorites go). A nice NWA meteorite about the size you are thinking about will have a mass of about 200 grams. Prices can run from $.20 to maybe a bit more than $1.00 per gram depending on the condition, shape, and appeal of the specimen. I picked up a very nice kidney shaped NWA of 110gr mass with excellent fusion crust (a attractive surface layer resulting from the melting of the meteorite surface due the heat of the flight through the atmosphere) for $40 right here on Astromart. Check this site out for some good information http://meteorites.wustl.edu/id/fusioncrust.htm

If you decide to move forward even after my warning.....check out the ad in the Meteorite section of Astromart. There are several very knowledgable folks that offer items for sale from time to time. If you have any questions - I'd be happy to try to help. I'm not the most experienced guy around this hobby (a true understatement - for sure) - but I do enjoy buying and playing with these rocks, and I can help on some stuff or point you to the right people. Kidding aside - it is a great hooby, and blends well with astronomy. Gives you something to do on those cloudy nights.

Wait a second - this is the political forum! So you need to put it like this:

The one and only thing that all the major (and minor) presidential candidates agree on is that the new servers are great, that Astromart is the best site on the web (regardless of who invented it), and that Herb is both under appreciated and deserving of our financial support.

However, I did hear that only McCain is including this in his party's platform. 8)

Okay it is clean-up time. I have this nice little 98 gr Gibeon end cut that was polished and etched. It was coated with a clear coat and was rusting under the coating. I wire brushed the natural back surface to remove any rust, re-polished the face, removing any remaining saw cuts and of course the etch. It looked like this:

TV102 - great little scope. Mechanically, I'd suggest the feathertouch focuser upgrade.......optically, it is a great litle 4" scope that seems to take power well for lunar and planetary observing. I routinely am able to use a 3.5mm Nagler (251x) for the moon and Saturn, and have pushed to the 2.5mm Nagler (352x) on rare occasions.

I'm very pleased with mine!