Posts Made By: James Witt

Hello,

I have an old broken brass Kellner(?) eyepiece that I would like to repair. Anyone have any ideas where to start, including the proper way to get the broken lens out? The lens that I am holding between my fingers measures 1.180" (and it's not the broken one). I know absolutely nothing about eyepice design or their construction. Any help would be appreciated. I know when viewing through it the Moon fills the view in the eyepiece.

I know I can look on the Surplus Shed but I don't know what to look for? Either in focal length or even what to select?

Hi,

My bud Lenny caught this one ... it is near the end of the .AVI and it is fast!

http://www.youtube.com/user/awesomelenny

-JW:

Hi,

I was wondering if a fairly accurate means exist to measure lunar topography for a novice. I have searched the Internet but would like to hear from anyone that is actually doing so.

Thanks in advance,
-JW:

Hello,

Are there any optical engineers out there that are willing to answer a few questions about a photomultiplier device I have for measuring modulation transfer function (MFT)?

http://www.pbase.com/smokedaddy/image/86364058

http://www.pbase.com/smokedaddy/image/86362861

I am looking for someone to help me figure out how to make this device work safely and properly? This device was made by an optical engineer during the cold war. It needs a good cleaning, which I haven't done yet. I was told the drive belt should be replaced. The belt drives a Lucite drum and the drum encases a photomultiplier tube. It supposedly runs on 1000 to 2000 volts! I was also given a power pack but I am not sure how it would connect to this device or the necessary shielding. I was told it was used to evaluate surveillance lenses at that point in time. The engineer would contract the manufacture of 100 units, run them on this device and keep only the best three. I need to buy an oscilloscope, a optical slit and make a optical bench. I do have mechanical and machining skills.

I realized I need to construct a optical bench and would also need suggestion on its configuration for this particular application. I know I need an oscilloscope and a optical slit. I don't know what kind of oscilloscope I need, nor what kind of optical slit. It seems that I know nothing. If you have the time I would appreciate the help. Of course someone local to me would be best but any constructive help will be greatly apprecaited.

-JW:

Greetings,

I was finally able to do a little imaging tonight after a 6 week astro-layoff. Does anyone know if there is a quality mechanical FINE focuser for the FSQ-106N, Tak or otherwise?

Sure wish I could of nailed the focus ...

Last image from the other evening. Seeing and tranparency was excellent. I just couldn't get the focus spot on. I need to get a micro focuser I suppose as it sounds like Robofocus is a pain in the rear.

Seasons Greetings ...

I put together this Lunar mosaic from November 18, 2007.

http://www.pbase.com/smokedaddy/image/89270636

Cheers,
-JW:

Seasons Greetings,

I'm thinking about upgrading my monitor and maybe perhaps my graphics card any suggestions from a astrophotography processing perspecive?

Thanks in advance,
-JW:

I haven't been able to do any imaging for quite a few months, jet stream, haze, work and so forth. The conditions were really great last night but I only had about an hour to do some shooting.