Posts Made By: Mark McCauley

It's always something, isn't it? If it's not dew, then it's clouds, full moon, mosquitoes, too cold, too windy, light pollution, bad seeing, etc., etc., etc. A very frustrating hobby... :C

I have a Hardin 10" DSH and various EPs. Mars views have been disappointing at best. Personally, I think most of the Mars hype is the result telescope marketing and wishful thinking.

Thank you for all the excellent replies.

I have decided to purchase a used Pentax XL 10.5mm.

I will let you know what I think of it.

I saw a night reentry of the Columbia when it came over the DFW area. It left a long ionization trail in the night sky. I videotaped it. I estimated it was over Lubbock when we first saw it, and it was somewhere over Louisiana when we lost site of it.

I was in bed asleep when the Columbia broke apart over Texas. My girlfriend said something awakened her. Her awakening exactly coincided with the Columbia passing overhead. For some reason I wasn't aware it was passing over on that fateful day, or I would have been on my roof taping it, too.

Here's my "poor man's" DSC:

PalmIIIxe with free Astro Info 3.0: http://astroinfo.sourceforge.net/

Digital inclinometer: http://www.tiltmeter.com/DIGITALMODEL.html (magnetized so you can mount on tube behind spotting scope.)

Electronic vehicle compass V550: I understand this model has been discontinued, but some store may still have it or you can find a similar model to mount on the front of your Dobsonian mount. You will have to add 180° to the display. This one is lighted and has alarms.

Center your view on Polaris, then calibrate the inclinomter and compass. I had to shim my compass slightly to "calibrate" it. The inclinomter has a zero function. I first zeroed it on the mount base, then checked it on the scope. It will probably be off less than a degree. You can adjust it by zeroing it on the mount base by shimming it with some thick paper. You should be able to get it right-on, at least with a low power EP. I got mine right-on with a 10.5mm EP.

See attached photos

I also use this site to plan my observing session: http://tonightssky.com/MainPage.php

A guy I know has a 2010 orange Camero with the orange and black and interior. Yes, it looks neat on the outside, but the interior leaves much to be desired, like those from the "good old days." I'll keep my 2008 Infiniti G37S coup over the new Camero.

"the mindset that leads one to believe pure nonsense, proven beyond a doubt to be untrue"

These people are simply ignorant, and the facts of science and nature conflict with their values and belief system. Therefore, they must reject truth. They have created an imaginary world wherein they live in comfort and security, "knowing" they are right and real science is wrong. They are like children playing "make believe."

The website http://www.geocentricity.com proudly proclaims their general ignorance with "Of all the sciences, the Holy Bible has more to say about astronomy than any other." Since when is the "Holy Bible" a "science?" I've never heard of any religion's bible called a "science."

Finally, I think that some of the leaders of these people are simply scam artists out to make a quick and easy buck. They don't really believe what they are selling. Sadly, the most unfair part of this is that religion and even these kinds of groups operate tax-exempt under U.S. law. That is how we are really most hurt by this nonsense. Think about all the tax revenue that's not collected from multi-millionaire televangelists flying on their private jet to their Aspen retreats for a snow skiing trip.

If you are truly interested in Oswald, I suggest the book "Case Closed" by Gerald Posner.

http://tinyurl.com/28kt8

About half the book is about LHO, the other half about the JFK assasination and alleged conspiracy.