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Captured by
Michael Scherman

Dual Clusters near Antares

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Posts Made By: Rod Mollise

September 2, 2009 09:13 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Sell off an Ethos?

Posted By Rod Mollise
Steve Hollenbach said:

I was wondering, and it has been mentioned here, why would people sell off an Ethos Eyepiece?

Well, I may have one answer. I bought my Ethos 13mm in June after some good advice from members on this forum. Here's an interesting observation. At a comfortable eye position, a significant part of that amazing TFOV is not in view. I have to get my eyeball down on the eye lens and look around.


Eyepieces are like shoes, one style is not right for everybody. That said, I've never had the problem you describe. At a comfortable position, I can see all that wonderful field.

Likewise, comparing the 13 Ethos and a Nagler delivered the opposite of what you experience.

But, to answer you question...why do some people sell 'em? Some, like you, don't think they are "right" for them. Why do most people sell 'em? Likely right now THEY NEED THE MONEY, which is understandable. ;-)

September 5, 2009 01:37 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Video Camera Advice

Posted By Rod Mollise
Brian McFarland said:

Hello everyone,

I'm considering the purchase of an astronomical video camera for deep sky objects (galaxies, nebulae, etc.), and it seems the two most popular are the Mallincam and Stellacam. Any opinions out there as to which might be the better choice? Has anyone ever compared the two (looking for opinions regarding current models)? Not sure yet whether I want monochrome or color, though I'm leaning toward monochrome for the increased sensitivity.

Thanks!

Brian

I assume you are wanting a current generation cam...either the Mallincam Hyper Plus or the SC3?

For me, it's the Mallincam by a nose (though I have and use the SC2). The SC3 has unlimited exposure time, but you have to start and stop the exposures manually. The Mallincam Hyper Plus will expose for up to 56 seconds, more than enough for video. It also includes Peltier cooling in the base price. My next cam will likely by a Mallincam color unit.

September 7, 2009 02:59 PM Forum: DVDs and Music and Books That You Recommend

Space is Deep

Posted By Rod Mollise
John Holt said:

Still very much enjoy these guys. And some of the present day contributions of video artist's.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cULwlnEok1c&NR=1

That's great...I don't run into too many fellow Hawkwind fans. The Space Ritual is on my iPod and I often listen to it while observing:

"Onward Flies the Bird"...

;-)

September 8, 2009 02:23 PM Forum: Refractors

Do we expect any 6" APO Chinese refractors?

Posted By Rod Mollise
Bill Barrett said:

It all started with the ED80 a few years ago, then came the 100ed...now there is the 120...can we expect to see a 150 anytime soon?

It could happen...but my gut reaaction is...if it were, would have by now. Course that could be because of the recession.

Color will be worse than in the 4s and 5s...but OTOH lotsa folks like the Chinese 6-inch achromats...and if the importers can keep the price down...maybe...

September 12, 2009 11:27 PM Forum: Chinese Optics Imports

AT 8" RC Focuser Issues

Posted By Rod Mollise
Arthur Simen said:



This leaves me wondering how much flexure is too much and how rigid is
the Feathertouch focuser in comparison to the stock focuser?

How much is too much? Enough that stars are not sharp across the frame.

September 13, 2009 10:52 PM Forum: Reflectors

Need Suggestions Selling Exotic Reflector

Posted By Rod Mollise
If possible, hang onto it for a while. Right now, the combination of 3800 + 10 inch Dob + economy in the toilet will likely continue to make this a nonstarter.

September 17, 2009 11:52 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Bad C11 optics? HELP!

Posted By Rod Mollise
John Coffey said:

THE PROBLEM:

I've got an old used black-tube C11 with "Starbright" coatings that appears to me to have REALLY bad optics.


Hard to say without taking a look through the scope, but this mostly sounds like seeing/cooldown issues.

September 17, 2009 11:54 AM Forum: Reflectors

Meade LXD55 vs LXD75

Posted By Rod Mollise
Paul Wooten said:

I am looking at purchasing a Meade LXD55 from this site's classifieds. Has anyone used both the LXD55-SN10 and 75 scopes so that they could tell me if there is any difference in the OTA's? I know the 75 has a much better tripod and the 75 is a new model, but is the 75's OTA really any better? Thanks from a newby....

If you are talking JUST the OTAs, no difference. If a mount is included stay away from the 55...that was one of the worst GEMs I have EVER seen.

September 18, 2009 11:15 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Palomar 1

Posted By Rod Mollise
Chris Nisbet said:

I have no idea why I am trying to image such small and faint objects. I must enjoy the technical challenges of imaging small objects at long focal lengths. Or just that there doesn't seem to be a lot of people imaging these obscure objects. Anyway,not too exciting visually but just knowing what it is is kinda cool. I like the negative image better on this faint cluster. Doesn't compare to the Hubble picture though(which is cool with all the faint background galaxies)!

Palomar 1 taken this morning, 30x6 min, ST-8XME,2x2 bin,Pyxis,AO-8,MI-250,1992 C11 @ f/12. Processing only in CCDSoft. Seeing conditions in Minneapolis have been very hazy for the past two weeks.

Very nice shot indeed. I don't think there's much that can be done to make 'em photogenic. I've contented myself with just grabbing 'em with the Stellacam.

September 21, 2009 11:48 AM Forum: Meade

MySky and LX400 is history?

Posted By Rod Mollise
Matthew Ota said:

Did Meade drop the MySky gadget? Did they also give up production of the LX-400 (formerly known as the RCX 400)?

The larger LX400s, the 16 and 20 GEM MaxMounts APPEAR to still be in production. But, yes, the rest of the RCXes are gone and have been for at least a year.

The MySky is still hanging in there in the form of the Plus, which is the "Plus" because the GPS receiver, which never worked right, is disabled in software. ;-)

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