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Posts Made By: Rod Mollise

April 10, 2009 01:53 PM Forum: LUNATICS

Moon Filter

Posted By Rod Mollise


In an attempt to get my hands on a good quality neutral density "moon filter" to make viewing more comfortable, I ordered (but have yet to receive) a Lumicon 50% transmission neutral density filter, made of real optical glass with optical coatings on both sides. Am I on the right track or should I be looking for something else?

Most Moon filters have traditionally been blue or green. That said, I don't care _pea turkey_ for any of 'em. I've rarely found the Moon too bright to observe comfortably, and when I do, I'll use a color filter, an 80A or similar. These will not only cut the light down, but, unlike a neutral density filter, will enhance various details. Which a polarizer can also do.

April 13, 2009 12:34 AM Forum: SCI-FI

WORST MOVIES

Posted By Rod Mollise
Larry Seguin said:

How 'bout:
*Tinytown
*Santa Claus conquers the Martians
*Killer Shrews
just for starters?

I can trump any o' them in a heartbeat:

_The Incredibly Strange Creatures that Stopped Living and Became Mixed Up Zombies_

_The Lemon Grove Kids Meet the Monsters_

LOL

April 14, 2009 08:31 PM Forum: Digital SLR AstroPhotography

single 5 min exposure of M51

Posted By Rod Mollise
Mike Clemens said:

I promise I will NOT use my ST237 next time I go out.
I promise I will NOT use my ST237 next time I go out.
I promise I will NOT use my ST237 next time I go out.
I promise I will NOT use my ST237 next time I go out.

This single 5 minute exposure of M51 shows enormous promise. But.... how do I do darks and subtract them, I am accustomed to Maxim spoiling me with a quick "Calibrate button".

Well, you take darks just like you normally would, except with a DSLR you'll cover the aperture of the scope during the darks. As for calibration, a program like Nebulosity (which I highly recommend for use with DSLRs) will do that for you no problem and is the easiest way to proceed.

April 17, 2009 10:17 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Are powerstations Dangerous?

Posted By Rod Mollise
Paulo Mesquita said:



It was something like:
"Caution: when this unit is charging the acid/lead battery releases hydrogen gases that are explosive and poisonous. When operating it releases even more gases."

As do all batteries of this type undercharge, including the one in your car.


April 18, 2009 02:39 PM Forum: Religion

Literal or not?

Posted By Rod Mollise
Mark Norby said:

I was wondering how many here believe in the literal interpretation of Genesis? How about it? Was the first man on earth named "Adam?" Is the KJV the only reliable, accurate version? Why/why not?

This is a _myth_. An ancient nomadic people's way of explaining the world around them. It was from their oral tradition and was written down quite a long time later. "Adam and Eve" has the same relationship to reality as "Pluto and Persephone," "Orpheus and Eurydice," etc., etc.

If you beleive that this is literal truth, it is incumbent upon you to provide some evidence of that. "It is in my holy book" is not evidence. wink

April 18, 2009 10:17 PM Forum: Digital SLR AstroPhotography

ze final M51

Posted By Rod Mollise
Mike Clemens said:


I want to thank Uncle Rod for prodding me to try Nebulosity2, which gave me my best color results ever!!!


It's obviously working for you...great shot!

April 22, 2009 11:48 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Bloated American optical equipement

Posted By Rod Mollise
Edward Dean said:

I have noticed that Tel Vue has come out with a new line of
ethos eyepieces and like their trade mark name for quality
they have produced another over priced eye candy.

You haven't been doing this for very long, have you? Today's equipment is INSANELY reasonably priced compared to the gear a few decades ago. Don't like or can't afford the Ethos? Don't buy it. If TV doesn't sell enough of em to make a profit, they won't offer 'em for sale anymore. That's called the Free Market.

If you can't find good and inexpensive equipment today, you are not lookin' very hard.

April 24, 2009 01:57 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Meade mySKY Plus

Posted By Rod Mollise
Darrell Hensley said:

My Question is: Has anyone here used one and how is it's accuracy? It look's like it would be fun to mess with and actually learn a little something. I appreciate any help or advice I could get. Regard's, Darrell

I've seen some that worked well, and all too many that did not. And that's the problem (that and the build quality). I'd get a Celestron SkyScout if I were interested in something like this. I have one that I use with my students and for various observing tasks (Is that Polaris in the dusk; which one is 'Rashalhague'?) and it's been quite reliable _and_ useful.

April 28, 2009 11:43 AM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

SN 2009dd Observations

Posted By Rod Mollise
Dave Mitsky said:



The first time I saw SN 2009dd was the previous Thursday night from a dark sight in the Tuscarora State Forest. My friend Tony Donnangelo and I observed the exploding star through his 20" Starmaster Sky Tracker Dob.

Dave Mitsky

From a reasonably dark but not at all perfect site on the Gulf Coast, the SN was occasionally visible with a buddy's 10-inch Discovery Dob. It was a "barely" thing, though. In my C11 with the Stellacam II? Like to put your eye out. LOL

April 28, 2009 11:50 AM Forum: Religion

What is Free Will?

Posted By Rod Mollise
John Agnew said:

A lot has been discussed about free will here in the past. What does it mean to you? Do you really think we have truly free will, or are we predestined to be who we are? Calvinists believe that God knew before we even existed who would go to Heaven and who wouldn't. There may be a genetic component to the choices we make. The culture we grow up in might have a lot of influence on the choices we make.
What does it mean to have free will?

Pre-destined by what? If you are talking about anything but biology, what evidence is there for such a pre-destining force or authority?

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