Meet Smurfette!Posted By Jim Moscheck |
Excellent job Doug! 
Posts Made By: Jim Moscheck
June 28, 2007 02:09 AM
Forum:
Telescope Making
July 7, 2007 11:32 AM
Forum:
Telescope Making
Sling or Cable?Posted By Jim Moscheck |
I have a Webster mirror cell that uses a stainless steel cable for the sling. I've only had it for the past few months and so far it works very well. I was able to see Omega Centauri 10ยบ above the southern horizon with no problems whatsoever with distortion or movement of the mirror. It was expensive but IMHO worth it.
July 11, 2007 09:22 PM
Forum:
Equipment Talk
Classic LX 200 QuestionPosted By Jim Moscheck |
I'm sure you checked all your settings like time, location, and DST. Maybe the new battery wasn't fresh and is discharged. I never changed mine, but had to constantly reset the time between observing sessions. It's been awhile since I've had my LX200 but that's all I can think of. Maybe try the mapug archives?
http://www.mapug-astronomy.net/
http://www.mapug-astronomy.net/
July 17, 2007 09:16 PM
Forum:
Telescope Making
Discovery/Royce/Galaxy/?Posted By Jim Moscheck |
Evan Reed said:
So I am looking into building a dob around a higher-end mirror and have been doing some research on primaries. I am interested in feedback people have on the optics and customer service of these companies (or others you have worked with). I was honestly surprised to find the price differences were rather drastic. For example a 10" f/6 is $599 Discovery, $795 Royce, and $995 Galaxy. I wasn't expecting a $400 difference in price, with Galaxy leading the way (guaranteeing 0.85 or better Strehl while Royce claims 0.96).
Hi Evan,
This has been talked about recently here.
http://www.astromart.com/forums/viewpost.asp?forum_post_id=534812
I can only give you anecdotal evidence, but I've looked through quite a few Discovery mirrors, some very good to excellent, some, how to put this delicately, not as good. You did say "high end" didn't you? Every Zambuto I've ever had the pleasure of viewing with was fantastic. Better to be satisfied that you have the very best mirror you can buy. When I bought mine ZOC wasn't selling to the general public so I chose Stevens. I am very happy I did.
July 19, 2007 03:05 PM
Forum:
Telescope Making
Fork-mount load capacity?Posted By Jim Moscheck |
Hi Jess,
I remember seeing just what you discribed a few years ago at a star party here in Michigan. I didn't look through it but the owner said it worked pretty good. It had an 8" LX200 classic fork mounted to a ground board instead of a tripod and you used it while seated just like a dob. IIRC it was named Frankenscope.
I remember seeing just what you discribed a few years ago at a star party here in Michigan. I didn't look through it but the owner said it worked pretty good. It had an 8" LX200 classic fork mounted to a ground board instead of a tripod and you used it while seated just like a dob. IIRC it was named Frankenscope.
July 25, 2007 03:03 PM
Forum:
Sports
The Atlanta QuarterbackPosted By Jim Moscheck |
Lee,
Don't you guys have Joey Harrington?
According to Joey he's a great quarterback.
Don't you guys have Joey Harrington?
According to Joey he's a great quarterback.
August 13, 2007 04:00 PM
Forum:
Equipment Talk
Annual Spellcheck reminderPosted By Jim Moscheck |
Not to mention placing an "add" on astromart.
August 18, 2007 12:32 PM
Forum:
Solar System Observing
Mars to be its brightest on 8/27!!Posted By Jim Moscheck |
Hi Doug and all,
No kidding. I was out last night at my favorite dark sky site. While setting my scope up a carload of people pulled in down from me and got out chairs to get ready for the show. A couple of the ladies came by for a walk and I showed them Jupiter. Got a bunch of Wows from them and the rest of the folks came over. One of the Dads remarked how great I'll be able to see Mars in it and proceeded to tell me how mars would be as big as the full Moon. I politely told him that it was an urban legend and if they wanted to see Mars they would have to wait awhile, but that it would be pretty small even in the telescope. I did give them a naked eye tour of the evening sky and they least stayed long enough to show thier kids the Milky Way and see a few left over Perseids.
No kidding. I was out last night at my favorite dark sky site. While setting my scope up a carload of people pulled in down from me and got out chairs to get ready for the show. A couple of the ladies came by for a walk and I showed them Jupiter. Got a bunch of Wows from them and the rest of the folks came over. One of the Dads remarked how great I'll be able to see Mars in it and proceeded to tell me how mars would be as big as the full Moon. I politely told him that it was an urban legend and if they wanted to see Mars they would have to wait awhile, but that it would be pretty small even in the telescope. I did give them a naked eye tour of the evening sky and they least stayed long enough to show thier kids the Milky Way and see a few left over Perseids.
August 20, 2007 03:04 PM
Forum:
After Dark
Night encounters?Posted By Jim Moscheck |
Other than coyotes and being buzzed by low flying canadian geese I have one story that is a little different. I was observing on a beautiful clear night in a game preserve next to Lake Erie. It was a fairly dark night and over the lake to the south I noticed a black cloud on the horizon that was moving towards me and getting bigger. There was barely any breeze but it was coming right at me and I could hear a faint sound or buzzing getting louder. When I realised what they were I quickly tore down my old LX200 setup and threw it in the back of my Jeep as the cloud of Mayflies that had recently hatched decended on me. Insects just creep me out, but this was right out of a scary B movie. 8O
September 13, 2007 05:49 PM
Forum:
Equipment Talk
Comparison : 41 vs. 31Posted By Jim Moscheck |
Depending on the focal length of the scope the exit pupil becomes a problem in faster optics.
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