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M-20 Trifid Nebula

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Posts Made By: Tom Masterson

March 27, 2004 07:15 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

What is a mag 5 sky?

Posted By Tom Masterson
Yves:

Yes, you are correct - dimmest star visible to naked eye.

One standard used is the constellation of Ursa minor - the Little Dipper actually. It has a good range of stars in the dipper that can be used to rate the sky. Of course it's height above the horizon impacts the estimate. Actually any group of stars will do.

Here's a link that does a good job explaining it and includes a magnitude chart of the little dipper:
You may have to cut and paste into your browser.

http://www.phys-astro.sonoma.edu/observatory/observers/limiting_magnitude.html

Tom M

March 28, 2004 02:46 AM Forum: Binoviewers

Triple T

Posted By Tom Masterson
Nah James,

Zometimes a banana, is just a banana.

Tom M

PS My OCA arrived this week. Rain all week, clear skies tonight. Am hoping be able to "whip it out" to "get some" later on tonight.

I was talking about whiping out my scope and getting some low power bino-views of course!!! Geeze!


April 1, 2004 01:32 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Hand controller---reality check!

Posted By Tom Masterson
Forgive me if this is a stupid question because I'm not familiar with this set-up.

Is it possible the wiring is correct but the motors are on the wrong axes?

Can their positions be swapped on the mount?

Tom M

April 14, 2004 12:55 AM Forum: Binoviewers

Tom Masterson... This your doing?

Posted By Tom Masterson
Jeff!

Its hard to type with tears running down my face!!! Along with the fart-cup I have 4 cats! What is it about something so simple, that is so hilarious??!! I guess we never really grow up.

Speaking of cats.. we all know how fun it is to get them to chase a laser spot projected on the ground. For you astronomer's with cats, try it outside on a sunny day with a spot of sunlight reflected off a 16" paraboloid. When they finally catch it their paws burst into flames!

Yep, love them binoviewers!

Tom M

April 15, 2004 01:41 PM Forum: Coronado-Lunt-DayStar Solar Filters

Double stacking? out of curiousity

Posted By Tom Masterson
Dan:

When you double stack you are not purchasing a second blocking filter, just the etalon. The recommended way is to send your scope back to Coronado. A MATCHED etalon is then selected for your particular unit.

Tom M

April 17, 2004 02:54 AM Forum: Coronado-Lunt-DayStar Solar Filters

Blatant gushing forgive me

Posted By Tom Masterson
Ronald:

These filter kinda do that to ya! Let me tell you, the Sun's isn't done with you yet. The more you observe, the more you'll get your toes curled. Yes, they are expensive but look at the world they open up - a DYNAMIC one!

Welcome to the narrowband universe.

Tom M

April 22, 2004 03:48 AM Forum: Coronado-Lunt-DayStar Solar Filters

Its a beautiful day in the neighborhood....

Posted By Tom Masterson
Cropped and colored from the first:

Tom M

April 28, 2004 11:35 PM Forum: Coronado-Lunt-DayStar Solar Filters

And a closeup of the "T-shaped" prominence

Posted By Tom Masterson
WOW! Super shot! What an incredible prominence. Sure looks like something went KA-BOOM on the limb.

Tom M

May 18, 2004 02:02 PM Forum: Coronado-Lunt-DayStar Solar Filters

What's the Difference? MS40+BF5 vs MS40+BF10

Posted By Tom Masterson
Craig:

The main reason for the scope being sold with the BF-5 is most likely cost. The blocking filters are an expensive optic so using the smaller blocking filter helps hold cost down.

The reason for the 70mm MaxScope cost difference has to do with it being a different design. Instead of a full aperture etalon at the front of the scope, it uses a smaller etalon mounted internally farther down the lightpath, using corrective lenses to straighten the lightbeam before it enters the etalon. Since the etalon is the most expensive part, using a smaller one makes for less cost. I'm sure there are other small differences, but this is the main one.

Tom

June 3, 2004 01:46 PM Forum: Coronado-Lunt-DayStar Solar Filters

I'm so excited

Posted By Tom Masterson
Congratulations Garry!

You'll be seein' red soon!

Once you go narrowband, there's no goin back.

Tom M grin

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