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Captured by
Douglas Rollain

M20 Trifid Nebula in LRGBHa

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Posts Made By: Judson Mitchell

February 11, 2006 05:32 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Do anyone know anything about..

Posted By Judson Mitchell
http://www.ngcic.org/ngcicdb.asp

I usually start with the NGC/IC reference above which takes me in untold directions.

February 14, 2006 12:31 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Red dot over the Moon

Posted By Judson Mitchell
Have you checked on stationary (24hr orbit) satellites?

February 19, 2006 05:40 AM Forum: Eyepieces

Yes I am an Occularoholic

Posted By Judson Mitchell
Floyd, looks like you have a major gap between 32mm and 40mm.

February 20, 2006 02:39 AM Forum: Reflectors

12" Lightbridge collimation bolts?

Posted By Judson Mitchell
Alan, I have been reasonably successful finding bolts, etc, at Ace Hardware, or other locations with extensive assortments of small parts. However, I could not find suitable collimation bolts for my 12" GSO (HOC) dob. As a result I placed knurled knobs on the bolt ends using epoxy. The attachment was reinforced by boring out the back side of the knob, then slotting the knob so that a thin SS strip could be inserted to fit into the bolt screw driver slot. I can send a few more pictures outlining the construction if you are handy enough to make the fix. Hopefully the picture will be attached showing the finished product. Now instead of using a screw driver to adjust my collimation, it can be done with finger adjustments.

February 22, 2006 12:44 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

What do you look for in an observing site?

Posted By Judson Mitchell
Applying for a permit to use White Water Falls Parking lot in NC at 2600 feet and according the clear sky map, the darkest skies in the vicinity of the Upstate of South Carolina. Paved, relatively flat, and some facility. Shielded to the north by elevation with good east and south exposures, west will be somewhat of a problem in the summer. Best option we have right now but always looking.

February 22, 2006 11:33 PM Forum: After Dark

Saturn Moons Software

Posted By Judson Mitchell
Thanks Mike and Dave, I really appreciate the response and help.

February 25, 2006 01:37 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

If M42 is green, is this with a filter?

Posted By Judson Mitchell
Checked again last night. The nebula was a strange gray, but could not say I saw green. With UHC of course it is green and with greater detail with sharper but fainter stars.

March 3, 2006 07:42 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Re: Seeing details in galaxies?

Posted By Judson Mitchell
My best example relates to the NA Nebula. Observing last summer, I was able to identify the east coast of Canada, Yuccatan and the west coast of Mexico without filter by using star patterns within the field of the nebula. Without the stars I would likely have never noticed the detail. Had a similar experience with NGC7293. Without field stars it would not have been discernable to me.

March 5, 2006 03:12 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Galaxies

Posted By Judson Mitchell
Mike
Are you aware that you have a message inbox for communications that do not show up in a particular thread. Since you haven't responded to my e-mails I suspect that you may be unaware. Check in the left hand column of the Astromart page for "My Account" the bullet "Message Inbox" It should be red indicating you have a message.

March 5, 2006 03:32 PM Forum: Reflectors

12.5" Discovery or 12"GSO with custome optical tra

Posted By Judson Mitchell
Jim
I have a Hardin 12" Dob and spend a lot of time fixing and adjusting things I would have thought unnecessary. Yesterday I had to tighten the bolt assembly holding the trunions to the tube. The bolt assemblies for the tension springs would not stay tight and either need to be checked every time or seized in some manner. Also I had to insert a large washer under the bolt assembly attached to the mount which receives the tension screw because it was tilting in a manner suggesting that it may completely pull out in the near future. The lock nut for the az rotation needs replacement for the one that will not stay fixed. One leg of the base fell off (just found it yesterday when cleaning out the car). I had to re-tension the mirror cell so that it was adjustable and cemented knobs on the collimation screws so that I could adjust them by hand instead of a screw driver. The adjustment screws on the secondary have been replaced with screws with large heads so that I can adjust them by hand instead of with a screw driver. To me this is way too much adjusting and fixing for something that really should be ready to go with minimal modifications. The optics are decent, but the other stuff leaves me a little cold. If I had it to do all over again, well I would have (fill in the blank).

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