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: Bernard Kean

July 23, 2004 12:56 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

aluminum

Posted By Bernard Kean
Hi Mark
Try Online Metals www.onlinemetals.com I've used them before and had excellent service.
Hope this helps
Buck

July 23, 2004 04:15 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Survey - Taking this from another angle

Posted By Bernard Kean
Hi Ron
Please take this with a grain of salt, but based on the pic, I can say I have seen views like it from here in metro Atlanta, heavy light polution, and average seeing about Pickering 4 (poor) or 5 (fair) in a TV85. On nights of better seeing at about pickering 7 the views were much better than the pic but smaller. I have a Hardin DSH8" and on the average nights around here the views look about like the pic or a bit better but on better nights the view was much much better. It's hard to say without more info about the scope and conditions but my novice opinion is that you should be getting better than that with a 10". It could be collimation or your viewing location could be better. Others here should be able to offer other opinions.
Just my $.02
Buck

July 26, 2004 04:03 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Focus Knob - Rubber Grip Band problem...

Posted By Bernard Kean
Ivan
I'd call Orion and see what they have to say. Orion has an excellent return policy and I don't see why this should not be any different. Regardless of the usage the only issue would be how long you have had them.
Buck

July 26, 2004 06:35 PM Forum: Telescope Making

fans - front or back

Posted By Bernard Kean
Hi Dan
From the many threads and articals I've read lately about telescope mirror cooling, I have to agree with Walter and Jarad. It seems that the first choice for fan placement would be one or two fans or more (depending on you mirror size) blowing across the face of the mirror to break up the thermal boundry layer and help with overall mirror cooling. The next choice would be to add another fan or two (again depending on mirror size) blowing in on the back of the mirror to aid in overall mirror cooling.
Just my $.02
Buck

August 1, 2004 01:31 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Reccomendation on Binoculars

Posted By Bernard Kean
Hi Terrence
I have to agree with the others here. My advise is stay under 10x with the widest FOV, and a weight you can comfortably hold.
Here is my take on this. I bought a pair of Stellarvue 10x50 a bit back and they were excellent, however I found that after about 15 seconds I had a hard time holding them still and stars started dancing all over. This made it almost impossible to find anything much less look at it with my 57 year old shoulders. So I went to the other end of the spectrum away from power and went with the widest FOV. I ended up with Nikon 7X35 Action with 9*+ FOV for around $100. Maybe not a premium choice but the views day or night are crisp and clear and very easy on my shoulders. In my novise view "Hand held" binoculars for astromomy are for finding things not looking at them, that is what the scope is for and finding targets is much easier with a wide FOV.
That's my $.02
Buck

August 1, 2004 01:40 PM Forum: Telescope Making

cheap 1/8" teflon for dob mount ???

Posted By Bernard Kean
Hi Andre
Try Meridian Telescopes www.meridiantelescopes.com
I paid $7 plus shipping for a 1"x12"x1/8" and they even take PayPal. I had it in a few days.
Hope this helps
Buck

August 1, 2004 03:53 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Hexagonal Star Test - Ideas??

Posted By Bernard Kean
Hi Rod
I'm a novice about mirrors, but is it possible that the mirror was not supported correctly during the refigure?

Buck

August 4, 2004 09:35 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Do Any Major Vendors Accept Paypal

Posted By Bernard Kean
HiPaul
I haven't found to many but when I do I use them. As I understand it commercial accounts pay a hefty service fee.
Buck

August 5, 2004 08:28 PM Forum: Home Observatories

Back-UPS

Posted By Bernard Kean
If I had an observatory with a motorized dome or roof, I would always have a disconnect so I could close it manually.
Buck

August 5, 2004 08:34 PM Forum: Home Observatories

Back-UPS

Posted By Bernard Kean
If I had an observatory with a motorized dome or roof, I would always have a disengage so I could close it manually as an when all else fails solution. Not that a battery back up is bad but just in case a motor fails.
Buck

Funding Member

Sponsors


View all sponsors

Search