Posts Made By: David Hakenewerth

I used 25Lb free weights from a barbell set. I think 25 to 50 lbs is plenty. The sand is a cheap alternative.

Good Luck Dave

Completely clouded out this year. Last year only got 3 clear hours. I downloaded your charts and plan to observe over time and really study up on locations. I'll be ready next year for clear skies.

Thanks Dave

Thats a nice poster. It should help draw a crowd. I also saw a great one during the Saturn Observing campaign. Anyone have a digital file of it?

Thanks Dave

That is such a great question.

I have an 8 inch F6.25 Dobs that I was using with Cartes de Ceil in March (a warm up for the Messier Marathon) and I had one of those Wow moments galaxy hunting. I looked at M31, M81, M82, they were mostly gray blobs. I targeted a 12th mag galaxy in Virgo (I Think) and using averted vision I saw detail,lots of detail. This galaxy was about half the size of M31 and fainter. It wasn't really a spiral it was more irregular like a cigar but lanes and detail were visible. The core was not over powering like M31. I really wish I had been using an observing log that night because I have never been able to find it again. I don't know what it was but it was much better than any of the Messier galaxies I've seen.

I've been weathered out on every Messier Marathon attempt so far, but I do make an effort on good new moon evenings to galaxy hunt. I find it is alot like planetary observing. When conditions are just right you will see lots of detail but on most nights it's just an excuse for solitude and meditation.

Get a good cheap or free planaterium program and do a virtual search for galaxies in a magnitude range that your scope should be able to find. This will give you a list of good candidates and keep a log for future reference.

Good luck Dave

I also like to check in on the rovers. Saw a special recently about the next generation rover, which will have much greater manuverability and range. Special was about getting them to navagate the terrain from A to B on their own. AI at work. Hope funding continues.

Dave

Hi Sean, I agree with Dave about the diffraction spikes for planetary viewing. You will get a smaller spike from a thinner vane but do be carefull that the secondary is well supported and stays collimated. Contast and Collimation are the key with planetary views. I saw a link for an apodizing mask I think in this forum which fits over the spider vanes and is supposed to minimize the spikes. I have a hard copy I can scan and email if you like. I have not tried it but it looks easy. Best improvements I made on my 8 inch F6.25 for planetary viewing was flocking the tube and getting a good observing chair.

Clear skies
Dave H.

Hi Brian, I went to Bull Shoals in the Ozark mountains of Missouri to visit my sister, and watch the Persieds. We went out Sat night at 23:00 central time and saw about 25 in an hours time. 4 of these were Earth grazers and 2 had an orange color. Sunday night was supposed to be the peak but again we only saw about 20/hr yet this time about 10 were Earth grazers and none had any color to speak of. I have made this trek for the last three years and although I was not as impressed with the frequency rate we were able to see numerous tails which would not normally be visible and they were certainly brighter than previous years.

It also seemed like the streaks were faster than normal, but I don't know why this would be. All and all it was a worth while trip, but disappointing, since we won't have the shower during a new moon for another 9 years or so.


Dave

This is a very fasinating topic and I have some interest in it as well. I do not know if this info is correct, but I saw on "Nova" the universe special about the life cycle of stars, that the stars we see in the sky are all within 7500 light years. Also of the 100 stars within 30 light years of earth more that 85% are to small or dim to be seen naked eye. I would guess the farthest object that can be seen is M31 the andromeda galaxy 2.54 million light years away or at least the image from 2.54 million years ago is that far away. The galaxy is farther away than that now but without knowing the exact rate of travel we can only confirm where it was. ;0)

Another "fact" that I can't confirm is that our sun would only be visible for about 30 to 50 light years, beyond that it would be to dim.

Here is another thought to ponder. As the universe continues to expand we will eventually reach a point/time where all the stars are so far away the sky will be black.


Dave

Thanks for the pics Augie. We must have been looking out the same window this weekend. I haven't watched for weeks but loaded up the feeders for the holiday. I saw two of the Cedar waxwings but to be honest I didn't know what they were till I saw your pics. Similar head shape to a titmouse but larger. I never get gold finches, but had two males this weekend very gold. Is the color of the male in your photos pretty accurate because ours were much richer. Finally we have about 4 hummers that fight all day at the feeder.

Thanks again
Dave

Is the problem with the mount the functionality, the weight or both? If the mount works OK but you just don't like the weight I suggest getting a cheap 2 wheel dolly for about $25. They can handle up to 200lbs and maketransporting the scope much easier.


Good luck Dave