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Philip Imbrogno

Jupiter

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Posts Made By: Tom Masterson

August 12, 2009 01:57 AM Forum: Eyepieces

20mm 100 degree comming

Posted By Tom Masterson
Oh, DARN! I just purchased a 82degee 20mm eyepiece figuring a 20mm 100 degree eyepiece would be years away and would cost $1000.

Sigh... I guess I'll just have to put up with viewing through my new "soda-straw" eyepiece. sad

August 18, 2009 02:42 AM Forum: ASTRONOMY

Jupiter Rocks

Posted By Tom Masterson
Peter,

Its been looking great from the west coast too. Keep an eye out for a new dark storm just following the Great Red Spot. It's quite dark and I didn't see it there a few weeks ago. As of last Saturday night, it was less than a GRS diameter behind the Great Spot on the edge of the same equitorial belt the GRS is in.

August 25, 2009 03:02 AM Forum: Refractors

EON 120 and black smudge near grs

Posted By Tom Masterson
Itz,

Yes, there is a new storm following the Great Red spot. I noticed it about 10 days ago. A month ago I was viewing Jupiter in excellent seeing for several hours as the GRS transited. I didn't see anything at that time.

Christopher Go has imaged the spot. Look on his Jupiter website about half way down the page - images marked August 14. http://jupiter.cstoneind.com/


September 24, 2009 01:29 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Eventually: NOAA 11026!

Posted By Tom Masterson
Luca,


MAGNIFICENT!

I think it has been close to a year since I did any solar imaging because I prefer to image disk features and sunspots. You have inspired me to try some imaging this weekend.

You have captured one of my favorite features - a spot pair showing strong magnetic fields arching between the spots. WONDERFUL!

We can only hope this is a sign the Sun is beginning to awaken after its longer than usual sleep.

Thanks for sharing.

September 24, 2009 01:46 AM Forum: Reflectors

Refractor guy looking to get first CAT

Posted By Tom Masterson
Brian:

What APO do you have?

One thing you will find somewhat frustrating going to a SCT is the loss of those wide field of views so many APOs give. I have a 6" APO and it truely is a wonderful all purpose telescope - albiet not too portable in that aperture.

About three years ago I purchased a 12" SCT. For many, many, many, years I was a refractor-snot and scoffed at the thought of owning a SCT. Well, I have seed the light and have been humbled. They too are great all purpose scopes. The only thing I kinda wish it would do, is show a 2 degree chunk of the sky, but reality is reality so my work around is to mount a 94mm APO on the 12" hehehehe - best of both worlds. Sounds like you are going to mount the SCT with your refractor.

Now that I have SCT blood coursing through my veins, (that my refractor white blood cells have stopped attacking) I feel a 8" SCT is a good choice if, you have the mount for it. Its not a beast like my 12" yet has the aperture to show nice faint fuzzies and resolve many globulars.

Good luck with your quest.

September 27, 2009 05:03 AM Forum: Coronado-Lunt-DayStar Solar Filters

At long last, an active Sun

Posted By Tom Masterson
And another:

A HUGE prom! I think the largest I've seen, and certainly the largest I've imaged.
300 frames stacked in Registax4 w/levels in Photoshop V6

The gain on the camera was turned up high enough I was picking up reflections of the CCD chip reflected in its window - hence the linear artifacts. It was MUCH worse before adjusting levels.

Lunt LS50/BF1200

November 26, 2009 11:10 PM Forum: Global Warming - REAL or NOT

Taking the heat?

Posted By Tom Masterson
Part 1

Jess,

GREAT link! Now that article touches on the aspect of global warming that I love and hits the nail right on the head. I don't find myself joining in the debate as to weather its real or not, or human caused or not. I believe real or not, humanity isn't going to have the slightest impact on stopping this train, if it is indeed headed for a cliff. We as a species just aren't wired that way. I'm of the belief that every livng person on the globe could wake up tommorow, scratch thier chin, nod thier head, and say "yep, its real, and we have to do something about it." - and the train will keep speeding down the track toward the cliff. What we WILL do as a species is adapt over time. Nature will see to that. If we don't, oh well, maybe the next creature will do better - or not. Part 2 follows.

Tom

December 5, 2009 03:21 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

HELP!!--My dust filter ate my C8's rear cell threa

Posted By Tom Masterson
Hey guys, I read the post to mean the filter came off but it took the thread of the scope with it. He says they are imbeded in the threads of the filter.

Paul, was the filter threaded into the telescope side of visual back that attaches to the back of the scope? If so, there shouldn't be a problem if you abandon the filter as Rod suggests. If you want to continue to use a filter you'll need to replace both the filter and visual back. You might be able remove the imbeded threads with a needle but I'd suggest you not try. There will most likely be burrs and the filter threads will just gall and seize again. Next time you may not be able to remove the filter. If the filter was threaded directly into the scope's back you'd have to send it back to Celestron for a not-cheap-at-all repair.

Ok, Celestron guys. Does the dust filter thread on the back of the scope directly or into the visual back?

If it were me and my scope I'd say "oh, well" and abandon the use of the dust filter and move on.

December 12, 2009 01:44 AM Forum: Eyepieces

Zhumell 100 9mm Review Part 1

Posted By Tom Masterson
Rod,

Thanks for part 1 of the review. I have to say I found the report lacking. There was no mention of the color of the cardboard nor did you tell us if the plastic bag was a ziplock or "just" an ordinary bag. And sheesh, how could you not even THINK about telling us how much tape, and what kind, was used to close the box.

Hope you spend a little more time on the IMPORTANT details in part 2. :C


December 12, 2009 02:06 AM Forum: Global Warming - REAL or NOT

Climate Scientist: Quit Washing to Save Planet

Posted By Tom Masterson
Dave,

To keep it simple, all I can say is Dr. Reay's opinions on the evils of personal hygiene, uhhh, errr... STINK!

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