Posts Made By: Chase McNiss

If by a post extension, you mean the 12" post that connects to the part on the tripod where the EQ head attaches so that the head is higher, then this product is designed to raise the height of the EQ head so the eyepiece of the scope is higher. This is designed primarily for refractors to get the eyepiece higher when viewing near the zenith. I do not think this will change your balance point to allow less counter weights.

Check ou the Tele Vue site, Uncle Al has an article on how to clean eyepieces.

Chase

Robert,

An obvious visual difference between the SCT at 2000mm and the 10" at 1200mm will be the field of view. With a wider field of view in the 10", it should be easier to find objects, but you might experience less contrast at the lower magnification. Cool down will also be better, although I depend on a fan system to cool my 10". A 12 inch scope gets big real quick. If you don't have to move the scope too far to get it to your observing area, then a 12 inch will resolve more for sure and will be a big step above the 8".

Good luck,
Chase

This text describes the process I use to turn off a street light near my house
when I observe. The procedure only works because there is a light/dark sensor on top of the light fixture and it faces north making it possible for me to shine a laser beam into the sensor, thus tricking the sensor into thinking it is still daylight. I have used both red and green lasers. I like the fact that others cannot see the red beam and the red laser seems less effected by
cold weather. My neighbors are aware that I use a laser, but vehicles driving down the road and seeing a green laser streak across the sky might be distracted with bad consequences.

In the photo attached to this folder, you will see the setup showing the
bracket that holds the laser. I obtained this from Howie Gladder and modified it by tapping a 7th. hole for a plastic screw that is used to turn and lock the laser on.

This bracket is then attached to an Orion Precision Slow-Motion Adapter. This device allowes me to aim and direct the beam with sufficient accuracy into the
light sensor on top of the light. I have found it necessary to re-aim the
beam on ocassions when there is a a temperature change outside. Probably due
to contraction of thermal mass objects on the pole. Once the laser is positioned the first time, it takes little effort to re-acquire the target.

These three parts are then attached to a $20 tripod I picked up at Stellafane. The tripod is only used to securely hold the other components and any solid non adjustable object that the adapter can be attached to would work. The slow-motion adapter is sufficiently adjustable to point where needed.

I have found that if I do not direct and position the laser beam shortly after dusk and before the light turns on full power, that it is difficult to position the laser beam on the sensor. The glare from the streetlight
prevents me from seeing the red beam. A pair of binoculars helps, but at the expense of your night vision. Actually using binoculars is a handy way to
help you center to beam within the sensor more precisely. The pole is located approximately 50 yards from my house in the attached photo.

I use rechargable batteries in the laser which gives me about 4 to 5 hours of
laser light, depending on the outside temperature. Ther are two other street lights in the area, but I can avoid them by using my house as a shield. One
of the poles is quite far away and I doubt if the laser would be powerful
enough to keep the light off. The other streetlight is positioned north of
me and the sensor is not positioned conveniently without going into the neighbors yard.

I purchased the red laser at www.z-bolt.com, cheap money.


Chase

Mike,

Nice images! Can you or Paolo explain to me what the IR passband filter is doing and what cameras it works with?

Thanks
Chase

You have all inspired me to get back into lunar imaging. Thanks...

Chase

Paul,

Nice image of Plato! I always found the northern craters to be more elusive but you sure nailed this one.

Where did you get the 610nm filter?

Thanks
Chase

Wonderful! Great job processing to. Thanks for sharing.

C

Ed,

Nice image! I captured Clavius that same night and have been thinking of trying the TouCam camera instead of my digital camera a-focally.

The quality of your image has helped me make that decision. Keep them coming....

Chase

Nice image Paul. Dust storm or not you got some great detail.

I just came in from my first session with a new TouCam 840. No filters yet, it was just fun to see everything work.

Looking forward to more images on this site. Keeep them coming.
Chase