Posts Made By: Don Joski

I have read some positive reviews and I'm wondering will this definitely help a Vixen Na refractor? I suppose it will and I'll probably buy one but maybe I just like getting responses from people who know and use their telescopes. I know the Vixen will throw up purple, don't know how much yet but it has an aperature of 140 and length of 800 in an achromat so I'm sure it will throw up a bunch. Anyway, this is the best website and I appreciate all of you smart astronomers!
Thanks,

Me, not so smart

I just purchased a used GM8 and it has a 12volt cigarette plug with it but I'm going to want something portable. Where do I find the battery, connectors, etc? Looking not to spend more than $100 if possible. Thanks for any help.

I'm trying to learn how to star hop and I keep getting confused. I use a Vixen 140 Na refractor w/ GM8 on my deck, about 30' from a street light that lights the alley behind my house. I block what light I can with an umbrella for the table on my deck. I have trees and houses around so I have only southwest to west and the northeast areas to look for objects. Now that Jupiter has bowed out I'm searching for messier objects. For some reason I get confused when trying to star hop, going from binocs to telescope. Anyway, I went from Vega to I believe was M57 - a little red speck at 40x. I changed eyepieces to a 7.5mm plossl w/ 2x barlow for 213x and it still looked like a little speck - with less light. I live downtown in mid-size city (green bay) and there is plenty of light pollution. However, I assume it's small because it's only 140mm of aperature. I never should have sold my 10" LX50. Can anybody recommend some easier clusters or whatever that could be found easier (other than m44, 42,45)? I'm going to take on M13 tomorrow - seeing permitting. Sorry for long post, just getting a little frustrated. I must add though, how much I love watching various comets or whatever go whizzing by at 20x. Cheers and I do appreciate any advice. Don

What type of tracking motor could I find for a Discovery 8 or 10" dob? I want to get larger aperature for a campanion of my 5.5" refractor. I prefer a dob with a capability to track, or at least can be added though I probably can't afford it for a month or two. I'm looking for inexpensive w/ upgrade to pyrex. I've considered ota's I can use w/ my Los GM8 such as the inexpensive 8" eq reflector by Orion. So, where is a good start to figure costs?
Thanks in advance.

I did it again. I started looking for a campanion for my 140mm Vixen and I think you know how that goes. I've never owned a dob nor seen one in person. I kind of like the discovery "mars" dob but I could also get a C9.25 and mount it on my GM8. I've heard it is heavy for the GM8 and I've seen hands selling the 9.25 ota in carbon fiber, though more expensive. If I went with the dob I want a motor to track since I'm very used to it, but of course that will add some money - how much money? Would it be better to buy something else to use w/ the GM8? I really don't have all of the money to spend but I may just pull something out of my pocket, i.e. plastic (I think this is where the wife gets unhappy). Suggestions and info is appreciated and gracias in advance.
Don

I read a previous thread somewhere that stated an ortho or maybe kellner is good for use with a reflector. I assume good ep's (naglers and the like) are still not a bad way to go. I want to get a 12mm Brandon or maybe a used nagler. I purchased the Orion 8" EQ and it is pretty inexpensive so I have a couple hundred left to get a good ep for use with a refractor and reflector. Both are fast scopes, f/5 and f/5.6. Suggestions for ep's under $200.

Sorry if off topic a bit but has anybody created an astronomy small business for the purpose of tax benefits. Equipment can be depreciated, maybe lease a vehicle and use it for the credits, maybe buying and selling at a loss? I would assume film for astrophotos could be deducted. I'm not sure it's feasible. I really don't know tax law. I'm sure you would have to show sales or spending of x amount to get various credits. I just thought of it golfing and mentioned to my friend my bro did that with his horse hobby years ago and they get mucho tax return. I'm not looking for that but if it could save a few k and finance a larger scope or buy better astro equipment or photo equipment it may be worth looking into. Then I can then write a book about it and sell it to all new astronomers...

There is a dealer in Wisconsin who is no longer selling telescopes. The dealer is selling the Meade 32mm SP 4000 for $50. Is it worth the $50? I see other sites selling it for as much as $99. Thanks for info.

Hi those in the know,

How long should I leave the shutter open on a Pentax K1000 camera in order to photo Mars? I realize film speed is an issue and I believe I have 400 speed kodak color film. It will be used in conjunction with a Vixen 140mm refractor f/5.7 and an Orion 8" reflector f/5.

Unfortunately I have only have taken one decent picture of M16 and a couple of the moon but for the most part it has been a shaky year of astrophotography. I will really appreciate the help because trial and error is getting expensive!

I hope to use this info tonight while it's a beautiful sky.

Cheers,

Don

PS I apologize for posting here. I was in the film section until I signed in and then it posted it here. Next time I'll sign in and then post.

I just wanted to let fellow astronomers/star gazers know the Green Bay astronomy club (which I've yet to join) had a public viewing of Mars with a speaker from Astronomy magazine. I arrived late but apparently the lady from Astronomy gave her lecture twice due to the overwhelming attendance. She was to give it a third time but apparently her voice went.
I arrived at 9:30 and thought there would be only a few people and no need to set up my telescope. I could barely find parking so that was the first sign many people were there to view Mars. The telescopes were set up along the Fox River in front of our public museum. The club meets at the museum once a month. There were lines for the set up telescopes 30 to 50 people long each. I quickly found out another telescope would help things out. As I set up a line quickly formed and many people enjoyed watching me polar align, find Mars and start the tracking. I should have started with my Vixen 140 refractor but instead started with an 8" Orion eq reflector. I couldn't believe all of the questions from each person - how does it track, how long does it take Mars to orbit the sun (I don't know), did Mars have oceans (yes and civilizations but I just said nobody knows either way) and many others.
It was pretty cool and I'll join the club and do more events such as this. I would estimate at least 500 people observed at one time or another from 8 to midnight. It was featured in the Green Bay Press Gazette the day before so I thought it would draw a few people but wow. I even had people asking why they could see the Milky Way as a kid but not now. I just pointed to the nearby streetlights, building lights, bridge lights, etc. They understood.
Lastly, television crews were there filming live for the 10pm news. Just as I was finishing setup, one of the producers asked me if a tv camera could film mars through the ep. I said not mine, maybe another but because of the long lines, he didn't want to attempt it. People booed when the camera lights came on for live reports but cheered when one of the lights toppled into the fountain and blew the fuse. Good times.
Happy Mars viewing to all. Peace!!!!