Posts Made By: William Paolini

Seems there's a lot of talk out there about this...seems lots of the camera glass was, so EPs using old lenses from cameras could be a problem.

http://observers.org/tac.mailing.list/2000/August/0881.html

http://www.hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q1356.html

http://www.hypermaths.org/quadibloc/science/opt04.htm

Not really an answer to your question, but here's a review where this issue was at least noted:
http://cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1164&pr=2x6x13

In any event...looks like a great scope!!

btw - the review mentions that you can put a barlow in 1st, then the diagonal, then the EP and that works. If that's the case you could always get a 1.5x barlow or a 1.25x barlow so you have minimum mag and get the focus length you need. I think Siebert will make you up a 1.25x barlow.

I find it to be an excellent performer, like the others I have (4, 5, 7, 9). Actually the 5 has a little CA off-axis for me that the others do not for me at f/4.7.

Performs very well at f/4.7 staying clean to all but the extreme edge as I recall - a little soft the last 5% I believe. Yesterday had it out observing Moon with f/11 refractor and was astonishingly crisp to the very edge.

From Wikipdeia..."According to the literal interpretation, Kolob is an actual star in this universe that is near to, or perhaps the sun of, the physical throne of God. This interpretation has significant formative impact on Mormon belief and criticism, leading to conceptions such as that the faithful will be made gods of planets in this universe, that God dwells within this universe rather than transcending it, and that the Biblical creation is a creation of the local earth, galaxy, or solar system rather than the entire known physical reality."

Kolob is referenced in many places such as in the History of the Church - a 7 (I believe) volume Mormon work. Other Mormon references to this belief that God dwells within our universe on a planet are:
-Book of Abraham 3:2-3
-Book of Abraham, Facsimile 2, Figure #1 explanation
-Book of Abraham 3:4-9

There are many beliefs they hold beyond what is given in the Book of Mormon. Speaking to a Mormon friend of mine, and their missionaries, they told the following:
1. God does live on Kolab, but that is God the Father (i.e., the Father of God Jesus).
2. God Jesus rules over Earth.
3. When the saints (me if I was a Mormon in good standing) die, they go to heaven and are given their own planet to rule over.
4. Of course, God (Jesus) has a Father (and Mother), and they have a Father and Mother also, and they have a Father and Mother also, and it goes on (an endless pantheon).

I of course could not believe when 1st told by them that their religious books even mention a Planet around a star called Kolab which is where God lives. So I went to the Temple (here in D.C.) and went to their book store, took down a volume of the History of the Church, and sure enough, it was there in black and white.

I have/had the following 1.25" Erfles:

Celestron 1980's 16mm, 20mm, 24mm, 32mm

Newer Celestron 1990's 20mm, 24mm

UO Super Erfles 16mm, 20mm, 25mm

Surplus Shed 41mm

I've never seen a 1.25" Erfle with a shorter FL than 16mm.

I stack 2x Ultima and 2.8 Klee on occassion (Lunar only). If Klee is on bottom of stack image is awful, if Ultima is on bottom much better image. I've done this stack with a 5mm Ep and acceptable image for Moon. ...and by "acceptable" I mean lots bigger image scale, softer image, loss of some details, but still a pleasing view. Sometimes it's interesting to just feel "closer" and like "being there" regardless if you lost some details

Wow...3-4 eyepieces for observing 8O I have a Quantaray pluck foam aluminum hard shell large camera case from Ritz Camera (13" x 18" x 6.5"). In it, all standing upright in foam slots are 29 eyepieces, 2 barlows, and a stack of filters. The suitcase goes with the scope. Usually have a small table or chair where the case sits open and I pluck what I want and need and is best for the target and scope combo at hand.

Everytime I try to just walk out without the case and like 4 eyepieces, all I end up doing is going in and out the house for others and end up with 10 or more outside. So I just gave up and the case comes with.

...and sometimes 3 scopes come out with me too

UO did make these. I have one. Not giving it up though as I have the whole set. Here's what UO site said about them:

"A major improvement on an old favorite! Using the latest in computer-aided design programs and high refractive index glass, the new Super Erfle gives significant improvements in both central and edge-of-field definition. The Erfle design is a true “classic” and the first quality eyepiece I ever owned years ago was a 20mm from Unitron.

That’s all history now, and these new 5 element oculars will meet your most critical deep sky viewing needs. Legendary University multi-coatings improves image contrast. The 16mm and 20mm have a crisp 60 degree field and the 25mm a 58 degree field. Satin chrome brass 1-1/4” barrel threaded for filters."

Congrats Judson!!!

I expect to hear about that acquisition of a larger dream scope soon for your retirement ;->

Congrats on the new scope!! I think you're going to like it a lot I have the S version since I don't use automation much at all and have mounted it on an Alt Az setup instead. It pulls a surprising amount of light for a 6" and I am very pleased with it even after being used to a 10". Saturn with a 12mm Nagler is quite spectacular in it. Incredibly portable and capable!