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Posts Made By: Steven Jindra

March 11, 2007 08:43 PM Forum: Refractors

FS78 Vs. TV Genesis SDF 101 Vs. Orion 100ED

Posted By Steven Jindra
My goal this week was to downsize and to sell off a number of astronomy items. This has been successful to an extent. But in my weakness, I ended up buying a Genesis SDF 101 and an Orion 100ED (I just cannot pass up a perceived deal). Delivery within a week or so.

So I now have three competing APO's:

Tak FS78 (with Focal reducer - already owned)
TV Genesis SDF 101
Orion 100ED

One will be my primary imaging scope (mainly Ha Nebula from city).
One will be my primary visual scope (city only).
One will become available for a fellow Astromarter's enjoyment.

Looking for any comments, experiences, images, or opinions on how this should/will shake out, particularly any experiences on the SDF.
Thanks
Steven Jindra

April 15, 2007 04:50 AM Forum: Binoviewers

New to Binos - What Should I Expect?

Posted By Steven Jindra
Due to a pending trade, I may soon become the owner of a William Optics Binoviewer, with barlow and 20mm eyepieces. I've never looked through a binoviewer before. My main visual scopes are a 9.25" SCT, an Orion 100ED, and recently a WO 66ED (Petzval). Most of my viewing is in the city (Houston area) and is planets and brighter deep sky objects.

What should I expect? Am I likely to get hooked and end up doubling much of my eyepiece sellection? Any suggestions?

Thanks for any thoughts.
Steven Jindra

April 19, 2007 01:07 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

AP 600E QMD and 9.25" OTA?

Posted By Steven Jindra
I am about to become new to the world of AP mounts, as I've just purchased a 600E QMD from a fellow Astromarter. Delivery in 1 to 2 weeks. It will be installed on an existing pier in my back yard with lots of concrete underneath.

Most of my imaging is with an SXV-H9 with an FS-78 @ F6 (FL of 470mm) and a 60mm scope for the autoguider. I know this should be a good match for the mount.

I would like to at times install a 9.25" SCT OTA for some longer focal length (1450mm @ F6.3 with FR) imaging of smaller deep space objects with a 60mm scope for autoguiding. Do you think the mount will be capable of excellent images at that focal length with this load (25#'s or so)? What about at 2300mm @ F10? Or am I asking too much?

Thanks for your thoughts.
Steven Jindra


May 3, 2007 06:02 PM Forum: Refractors

Are We Keeping Our Optics Clean?

Posted By Steven Jindra
I have recently been in communication with Markus Ludes, of APM Telescopes, about the importance of keeping our optics clean. To an extent, I've followed the thought that unless it affects the view, leave it alone.

Some partial quotes from Markus (provided with his permission):

Contaminated with dew and dirt and such stuff starting to damaging coatings after 6 month. Lenses shall be keeped clean anytime , letting be lenses such dirty is terrible bad for optics. Advise for future , keep the lenses clean like eyeglases.

With 2 times per year good cleaning the lens can be new after 50 years of use , with no cleaning, dirt and pollen start to eat coatings after 1 year which is bad.

Markus advised soliciting comments/advice from Roland Christen, from Astrophysics, on this subject and asking for his recommended cleaning procedures. Roland?

As a group, are we keeping our optics clean and maintained? Sadly, in the past, I have not to a proper extent, but will be in the future.

Thanks
Steven Jindra

May 16, 2007 08:49 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

A Site for Deep Sky Object Descriptions?

Posted By Steven Jindra
Over the last several years I have captured a number of images of deep sky objects, particularly nebula. In the next few months I plan to organize these into an album for my family and friends to view. I notice that many post a nice one or two paragraph description of the object with their images.

Is there a good internet location to get a nice, brief description of these objects that would be appropriate to copy and to place with my images? Or perhaps a good book?
Thanks
Steven Jindra

July 9, 2007 12:42 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Re: how come we never see these on the 'mart

Posted By Steven Jindra
Greg
You could always place a WANTED ad for either the OTA or the whole package.
Steven Jindra

August 24, 2007 10:38 PM Forum: Takahashi

Will FS-60C Focus With CAA & Focal Reducer?

Posted By Steven Jindra
I have an FS-60C and an older Tak FS-60/78 focal reducer. I do not
currently have the camera angle adjuster or 18mm spacer. With the focal
reducer at the proper back spacing of 72.5mm it will not come to focus.

My question: Will adding a 2" Tak camera angle adjuster before the
focal reducer allow it to come to focus or is an additional spacer also
required?

Or will the Tak 18mm spacer (Part #TET0018) bring the camera to focus
without the camera angle adjuster?

Thanks for your help.
Steven Jindra

April 1, 2009 12:46 AM Forum: Takahashi

Mewlon OTA Recommendations?

Posted By Steven Jindra
I love the planetary views through my FS-128, but at times would like to move up a level or two but still with the refractor like sharpness. I am currently looking into purchasing one of the Takahashi Mewlon OTAs. It would be intended to replace a nice Celestron 9.25" and compliment the FS-128 for planetary viewing and webcam imaging. I would also plan to use it for brighter deep sky viewing and imaging (with an SXV-H9) from my light poluted home in the Houston area. My visual mount is an ASGT and my imaging mount is an AP-600E.

I'm thinking the M210 may be the best fit. My concern is that the M180 may not improve the planetary views considerably over my FS-128 and the M250 may overwelm my mounts (and budget) for the intended purposes.

Please let me know your recommendations and the pros and cons you have observed for the Mewlon OTAs.

Thanks
Steven Jindra

August 8, 2009 10:55 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Nexstar 8SE Mounts - How Good?

Posted By Steven Jindra
I have a Takahashi Mewlon 180 OTA (about 14#s) on order. I have a nice GEM for imaging, but there are times I would like the eyepiece convenience of a go-to alt-az mount for visual use. Will a Nexstar 8SE mount and stock tripod provide consistent go-to and steady high power (300X) tracking in the alt az mode with the Mewlon 180?

Are there any issues with the more recent Nexstar 8I or 8SE mounts?
Thanks
Steven Jindra

August 9, 2009 04:05 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Is Philips Webcam Still One of Top Planet Imagers?

Posted By Steven Jindra
I have a new OTA coming (Mewlon 180) and plan to try some planetary imaging. I have one of the Philips CCD webcams (in the yellow egg) and the 1-1\4" adapters for it. Several years back it was considered one of the top colored planetary imagers. Is it still considered one of the best, or are there now other colored planetary imagers out that are considerably better?
Thanks
Steven Jindra

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