Posts Made By: John Holt

Ted Judah said:

Hi every one. I am new here and would love some opinions.

Quick story: I have been granted permission to build a 11' x 15 ' observatory in a dark sky location 15 minutes from my home. It will have a pier on which to mount a scope.

After the observatory is complete. I will have approx. $2800 to buy a scope (or scopes).

I have a daughter and also lots of nieces and nephews that would love to have star parties and look through a "big" scope. So I am thinking a $1000 12" dobsonian for the "wow" views and simplicity for the kids.

I would like to try my hand at astrophotography so with the remaining $1800 I am thinking of a used schmidt-cassagrain to mount on the pier.

Or possibly just get the dobsonian and then wait and save for a dream scope later.

What would you do in my situation?

David Wagner said:

So, here we are in 2008, with a demonstrable (and proud of it) socialist apparently about to win the US presidency, touting his "tax the rich to fight for the poor and middle class". The only alternative being an economically illiterate, aged Republican in Name Only... And either way, a congress dominated by socialists (in both parties).

Our reality:

The top 1% of earners already pay 38% of all federal taxes
The top 5% of earners already pay 59% of all federal taxes
Almost 50% of all workers pay NO federal taxes...

The cycle is obvious, the trends inevitable. Socialism at the point of a gun is already here, and getting worse.

Obama proudly claims he'll give even more in "tax credits" back to the "poor and middle class"; this will most certainly result in a situation where less than half the earners are paying ALL the taxes.

Is it time for those of us who actually work, earn, create companies, products and services... and who are continually taken advantage of, continually and increasingly taxed (at the point of the government gun)...

to simply say: "you are right, being rich is evil, earning money is evil, so we quit, we earn no more, we employ no more..."

and quit playing their game?

What say YOU, Astromarters?

victor truglio said:

if you could only have one, would you rather have a gem mounted f10-c8, no goto, or an f6-8" dob, no goto.
both with good mirrors.
the scope would be used for a little of all types of observing.
no photography.

mike selz said:

Looking to maximize my eyepieces to see the deeest dark sky objects possible through an 8" Hardon Dob...i noticed where i live i could see more with my 20mm 300 series plossl...fainter stars...than with my 30mm agena astro SUperview EP, big wide view but background is a bit lighter (i was looking closer to down...5:40am)...the 20mm has a 3 exit pupil...the 30mm a 5 exit pupil about...where i live i doubt it's of use to go higher than a 2 or 3 light pupil, due to all the light polution (ivan would know about this 1..lol), wouldnt u say? i live in coconut creek...near boca raton in south florida.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
thanks!

bill huber said:

Did anyone make EPs in these fl:
8.4, 8.5, 8.6 & 8.7mm
I have seen the big 8.8mm by Meade.
Between 9mm-10mm, I have seen Meade 9.5mm 3000 & 9.7mm 4000
Between 6mm-7mm, Meade has a 6.7mm / 6.4mm & UO had a 6.5mm
It just seems like there is not much available between 8mm to 9mm?