Image of the day

Captured by
Craig Bobchin

Coathanger CR 399

About Astromart

My Account

New to Astromart?

Register an account...

Need Help?

Posts Made By: Bob Polcyn

September 8, 2002 01:00 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

First Filter?

Posted By Bob Polcyn
Hi Jerry --

I have no side by side experience with the filters you mention but recently bought a Lumicon UHC filter based on Dave Knisely's reports. He's a member of the Prairie Astronomy Club (http://www.4w.com/pac) and did a side be side not of different manufacturer's filters but of UHC vs OIII, Deep Sky and H-Beta on 80 some od nebulae.
My still early experience with the UHC filter has been very good. I'd recommend some kind of filter slide arrangement (I bought a Van Slyke unit) so that comparisons can be made between the view with and without a filter etc.
Clear skies.

Bob Polcyn (rural South Dakota)

September 15, 2002 12:32 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Red Stars

Posted By Bob Polcyn
Hi Pete --

Thanks for this post. What's their web address?

Bob Polcyn

September 23, 2002 01:08 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Replace Meade ED refractor focuser

Posted By Bob Polcyn
Hi Morgan --

I have no experience with the 152ED but replaced a poor focusser on my home built 6" refractor with an AstroPhysics 2.7" focusser. It cost something over $300.00 but it's rock solid and the smoothest focusser I've ever used. It took some shimming to get the fit right in a 5" ID tube. I've been very happy with the outcome. I'm not sure what you would have to do to mate it to your 152ED. AstroPhysics has dimensions of its focussers on its website.

Bob Polcyn
Good luck with the project.

October 5, 2002 05:32 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

The focal length of an 18" f/4.5 mirror

Posted By Bob Polcyn
Thanks all for the quick responses. The info definitely helps.

Bob Polcyn

November 2, 2002 01:27 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Polaris always visible?

Posted By Bob Polcyn
Hi Mike --

If Starry Night shows Polaris below the horizon it's likely that you have an incorrect latitude set in the program. I remember having some difficulty getting the program to remember my latitude from start up to start up. Once you get the hang of it though it will be a very good program for you.

Bob Polcyn

November 12, 2002 01:27 PM Forum: Film Astrophotography - Imaging and Processing

Planet imaging of my problems (picture)

Posted By Bob Polcyn
Hi Larry --

If you're having to view thru a window pane, image degradation is part of the package made a lot worse if there's a big temp difference between inside and out.
Time of day could be an issue too. Try viewing early enough in the morning to see whether things are better; the building you live in is less likely to be going thru rapid temp change then.
Good luck with it. Let us know how things work out.

Bob Polcyn

November 23, 2002 01:57 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Does anyone use an Apple?

Posted By Bob Polcyn
Hi Michael --

Mac users (I'm one) get the short end of the stick when it comes to serious astro work. Too many interesting sounding software packages run PC only. But SBIG offers some of their CCD models with Mac compatibility. My only experience is with an STV unit which operates independently but downloads easily to my Mac laptop.
I'm guessing that hard core Mac users have done a lot more than I have with CCD.

Bob Polcyn

November 23, 2002 02:06 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Venus Cresent

Posted By Bob Polcyn
Hi Ed --

I agree. It's a beauty right now and low power is enough. Enjoy.

Bob Polcyn

November 30, 2002 01:47 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

secondary mirror size - converting to inches

Posted By Bob Polcyn
Hi Marty

Yes. It's 25.4 mm per inch. Your 2.28 is rounded off but surely close enough. Good luck with your project.

Bob Polcyn

December 3, 2002 01:29 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

What makes for a good Cheshire eyepiece?

Posted By Bob Polcyn
Hi --

A set of Tectron tools including their Cheshire eyepiece arrived with my purchase of a used Dob recently. The Tectron advised procedure for collimating seems to be outstanding:

www.amateurastronomy.com/tools

Bob Polcyn

Funding Member

Sponsors


View all sponsors

Search