Posts Made By: David Eccles

Hello all,

Has anyone read, or know of a site where I can read independent reviews on this product? Is there information on what accessories / equipment will work with this product?

Burgess - SD 101 Backpacker f/5.5 ED Doublet Optical Tube

Thanks.

Clear Skies,
David Eccles
Lompoc, CA

Yes. With a 9.25 on a night with good transparency, it is possible to see some color in M42. Most of the time it will greens and blues. I haven't had the luck of seeing reds through a scope and mine isn't big enough (8"). If you did, consider your self lucky.

Clear Skies,

David Eccles
Lompoc, CA

I was standing on my deck Saturday when I noticed the moon moving right next to another bright object. At first I thought it might be Saturn; mainly because the object was projecting brightly through a thin layer of fog. I checked the Sky & Telescope sight this AM and found out it was the moon occulting Antares.

Did anyone else witness this event?

David Eccles
Lompoc, CA

I need a little help. I'm trying to add a photo to my profile and did so successfully. The issue is the photo is in the wrong orientation (sideways). When I try to post the same photo with the correct orientation (top to bottom) as a replacement, nothing happens. Why and how do I fix it?

Also, how do I get the photo to display with each forum message i submit?

Thanks,
David Eccles
Lompoc, CA

For All,

This isn't the usual post for this, or most other forums, but since it's one of the popular, I'll put it here anyway.

The West coast of Indonesia (Sumatra) has just experienced another tsunami generating earthquake (11pm local time) measuring 8.2. While preliminary reports are incomplete, both Pacific Tsumani warning centers have stated there is no threat to pacific coastlines.

Just when they're recovering from the last one, they get hit with this again. I'd ask from all of you to help keep us informed with reports you find online and on radio or TV.

Here's the link to the preliminary article.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7316846/

My heart goes out to these people.

David Eccles
Lompoc, CA

Here you go. This is a good reference sit.

http://www.nexstarsite.com/OddsEnds.htm#N5i8i

Clear Skies,
David Eccles
Lompoc, CA

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

I'm looking for a list of Nebulae, clusters, and other eye popping objects with a visual magnitude of 9 or less.

One of my favorite sites for finding objects is Deep Sky Browser, but it's not very user friendly (e.g. narrowing the search to just the northern hemisphere).

I also enjoy using my Sky Atlas, but often the magnitude key associated with the object on the map doesn't mean it's actually visible through my scope (Nexstar 8).

Any assistance in finding objects with my above listed criteria would be appreciated.

Clear Skies,
David Eccles
Lompoc, CA

Hi All,

I'm considering the possibility of purchasing a new scope in the next few months and am very interested in a refractor.

I've read quite a bit of information on types, sizes and prices. If money was not an issue, Takahashi would be the one.

At this point I'm considering the Celestron C6-RGT with the CG-5 mount. I found an interesting site from "AstronomyBoy" detailing how to dismantle the mount and improve its performance, but I cannot find any info as to whether the mount will handle the weight of the C6 with a camera piggybacked.

If I do this, I will first sell off my Nexstar 8 with all the goodies I've added to it and use the revenue towards this next buy. I figure with with the money from the Nexstar, I should be able to add another $600 to $800 to my budget (total estimated budget of $1500 to $2000).

Any info, or maybe a suggestion for an alternative scope and mount would be helpful. Thanks

http://www.astronomyboy.com/cg5/

Clear Skies,
David Eccles
Lompoc, CA

In about ten days I'm heading up to Yosemite Park for a little vacation. Should be a fun time had by all.

I will be taking my Nexstar 8 with me and will be observing from Glacier Point (7300 ft). Can anyone tell me which directions I'll be able to observe and photograph (i.e., E,NE,S, etc.)?

I was hoping to get good views of the S,SW skies and focus on the globulars and M8, M20, etc.

Clear Skies,
David Eccles
Lompoc, CA