Posts Made By: Marcin Klapczynski

Thank you guys for responding.
I found another one, which was highly rated at Amazon: "Deep-Sky Wonders" by Walter Scott Houston.

Does any of you own it? I am just afraid that a half of this book will describe Messier catalog...

Melatonin will make you sleepy I used to take it for my insomnia. As for carotenoids - lutein is the one. I take it when my eyes are tired, before observing. It helps regenerate retina, but I don't think I could see more details on galaxies because of that... Vitamins from B group should help vision as well.

Both melatonin and lutein are sold as supplements and FDA hasn't ever confirmed their efficacy.

If anyone wants to go there soon, I am just letting you know - the ice fishing parking area is temporarily closed in over 1 mile radius because of waterfowl mating season. Parking #3 is still a good observation spot, although deers freaked me out several times

The sky was stunning, as usually, although Chicagoland light dome seemed to be more annoying than in March...

I go to Willow Slough Wildlife area in Indiana, where indeed lots of wildlife is present.
Last time I have been there, for the first time I heard a rabbit being killed by some predators - it sounded like a screaming woman, being slaughtered by a clumsy cutler. This stressful event was followed by sober howling of coyotes nearby, so I started thinking about packing the scope and going home.
The crispy night sky was too good to give up, so I finally decided to sit on a chair and relax for a while and eat a sandwich. After maybe ten minutes, I noticed that just few feet away a fox sat and looked at my sandwich curiously. I was afraid that the guy was rabid, cause he seemed totally relaxed - yawning, licking his snout, like a dog waiting for a treat. I decided to run to my car, but once I stood up, the fox ran away like crazy.
I decided to chase him for fun and unintentionally scared deer heard, which jumped across the road. Once they were in bushes, the bull started snorting, grunting, and hitting his hooves against the ground, so within seconds I was in my car, heavy breathing and honking. 8)
That night was beautiful, but it was just a little bit too much nature for me

Here is Clear Sky Clock for North Carolina:
http://www.cleardarksky.com/csk/prov/North_Carolina_map.html?Mn=astronomical
After you chose the clock, click on it, then on [Light Pollution Map] below. You can link any spot from there with a road map.
The best free tool you can get

This is just epic! Nature, Me and the Universe.... what else do you need?

Ok, I think this will do. It's low profile, sturdy, light and stiff. I found knurled nuts at Menards. I will glue the secondary directly to the plate using 100% silicone. Your comments and advice are welcome.

More photos...

More photos...

the mirror cell detail...