Posts Made By: Fred Lusk

I'm back after a few days away. Thanks for the compliments. I love star trails. Not only are they beautiful, they are SO easy

Fred

Tom....

I sometimes use a Celestron 0.63x focal reducer for visual observing with both my C5+ and CPC800. My primary reason is to provide increased field of view.

The focal reducer takes the C5+ from 1250 mm focal length to 790 mm, and the CPC800 from 2032 mm to 1280 mm (give or take).

At one club star party I loaned the focal reducer to a friend with a C-11. He liked it so much he bought his own.

Fred

I've changed my mind on this one. Now I think the Steelers will win.

Chris....

Large, deep-cycle marine batteries are the way to go of you need lots of power. However, if you want something ready-made check out www.xantrex.com. Their portable power units are well constructed, though they include extra features that you may not need.

I have a Xantrex 600HD (28 amp-hr) and a Xanrex 200 Plus (12 amp-hr). Both have modified sine-wave inverters. The 600HD has three AC outlets, while the 200 has one. Each also has one cigarette lighter style 12VDC port.

I bought the 600HD several years ago to run a CPAP machine for astro-camping. Most CPAPs are sensitive to the quality of the AC power, and the sine wave from the Xanrex passes muster. I can get two full nights out of it, which is what I usually need. I also used the 600HD to run my Celestron CPC-800, my laptop, and my DSLR for the Mercury Transit, and I had power to spare. The 600HD should be able to paower the typical laptop for at least 8 hours.

When I am just operating the CPC-800, I use the Xantrex 200 Plus, mainly because it's lighter. I have even used the air compressor once.

Fred

Linton…

Did you look for Omega Centauri? I've seen it in 10x50 binoculars up to an 8" telescope from both Fresno and Hensely Lake (Madera County), where it is about 7° above the horizon. It should have been easy to see from Red Rock Canyon, assuming you weren't behind some hill to the south.

Fred

So this squirrel moves to another log. He pauses again briefly, but starts to move just as I press the shutter. The squirrel looks almost ghost like.

More dogwood

Another version of the same scene.

Bridalveil was really running strong, to the point that it was sending a steady stream down the paved walkway to the viewing pad. Here is my wife standing in about 6 inches of running water at the viewing pad. Normally mist is the only water here.

Here is Royal Arches from an open spot just east of the hotel.