Image of the day

Captured by
Douglas Rollain

M20 Trifid Nebula in LRGBHa

About Astromart

My Account

New to Astromart?

Register an account...

Need Help?

Posts Made By: john welch

February 17, 2004 04:14 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Resolving Titan?

Posted By john welch
Hi Floyd,

Yes, with my 14" Pierre Schwaar newt. Very similar to your description. Varying results (seeing) from 350 to say, 850 mag.

Thanks, John

February 17, 2004 06:38 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Patch Sonotube Dob

Posted By john welch
Hi Matthew,

Automotive "Bondo" is easy to apply and spot sand and blend. Spray a little primer and paint.....

John

February 20, 2004 04:59 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Astronomy Road Trip Ideas

Posted By john welch
David,

Here is a site with information on the most popular viewing spots for us in Phoenix.

http://www.psiaz.com/polakis/azsites/azsites.html

Have a great trip!!
John

February 22, 2004 07:51 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

D&G 6" Refractor?

Posted By john welch
Hi Tom,

It's been a while but I worked on a couple of them. As I remember, just cleaning, collimation, focuser issue and a large pier mount that swayed light the Golden Gate in a storm.
They were "OK", no serious optical issues for a doublet. But that means plenty of chromatic aberation and some spherical error. In reality, any 6" newt of average quality would out perform it in all categories. Both scopes were 6" and had the same views.

Two scopes don't represent a solid sampling, so maybe someone else will chime in here!

Thanks,
John

February 25, 2004 09:56 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Meade ellipitcal flats

Posted By john welch
Floyd,

I've always (last 10 years or so), been happy with Meade's flats. I know I can say the same for their newt mirrors. They have retained the same people and processes. They understand flat and smooth. The only times I've seen problems is poor mounting (stress) when the owners transfer the optics to new tubes and mounts.
I've worked on a few Discoveries and have noted no trouble.


Thanks,
John

February 26, 2004 08:15 PM Forum: Pictures of Me and My Telescope and........

Re: Flag Scope

Posted By john welch
"Oh say can you see............"
John

February 27, 2004 04:24 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

I'm convinced a 10" dob is the most.....

Posted By john welch
Hi Chris,

The dob mount height (altitude and azimuth) at that f/l has everything to do with comfort. I can sit with mine from horizon to about 55-60*. Above that I can stand without wild positioning. Rotating the tube also helps. I think a 10" is as close to heaven one can be.
Here's a photo before I finished the scope completely.
Just my .02
John

February 28, 2004 04:54 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Question regarding collimation/secondary offset.

Posted By john welch
Hi Chris,

What's the focal ratio of the 10" newt?

Thanks, John

February 28, 2004 07:20 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

What a difference dark skies make.

Posted By john welch
Mag 6.+ is like taking a punch from Mighty Mike and looking up from the ground. Or like having my eyes poked while my brother and I played Three Stooges.
It can be confusing at first with all those stars in places not seen before and seeing the Milky way with dark lanes like photos only 100X better!

John

March 1, 2004 09:31 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Meade Starfinder Mirrors ...

Posted By john welch
Hi Timothy,

Jim's correct. Meade makes very good mirrors. Very smooth transitions and sagitta is just right to slightly undercorrected. I was the tech for the now closed Astro shop in Phx and have worked on many of them over the years. Meade's newt dept. has done an amazing job (unhearalded) keeping consistency in this line of merchandise.

Thanks, John

Funding Member

Sponsors


View all sponsors

Search