Image of the day

Captured by
christopher hunt

Jupiter

About Astromart

My Account

New to Astromart?

Register an account...

Need Help?

Posts Made By: Mike Ratcliff

February 28, 2008 11:13 PM Forum: Eyepieces

26 VS 31 Nagler?

Posted By Mike Ratcliff
I'll throw in a wrench and say you should get a Paracorr for your f/4.5. With the Paracorr's 1.15x barlow effect, it effectively converts the 31mm to a 27mm eyepiece, and of course greatly reduces coma that you will experience with wide fields. The 27mm effective size gives an exit pupil of 6mm (=27/4.5), about right. Without the Paracorr, the 26mm Nagler makes more sense.

I have the 31mm and Paracorr in my 16" f/4.9. Works great. Haven't tried the 26mm.

Mike R

April 17, 2008 12:44 AM Forum: After Dark

Planet X

Posted By Mike Ratcliff
Johann Glansdorp said:

Any news about this planet. Seems to be a lot of rumors going around. One I heard stated that we are doomed in the year 2012 due to planet X.

And it's an election year too! 8O

April 17, 2008 09:06 PM Forum: Global Warming - REAL or NOT

Ethanol - A Bad Choice

Posted By Mike Ratcliff
My favorite quote from the article:

"There was just one flaw in the calculation: the studies all credited fuel crops for sequestering carbon, but no one checked whether the crops would ultimately replace vegetation and soils that sucked up even more carbon. It was as if the science world assumed biofuels would be grown in parking lots."


Oops. But that's easy for me to say. Modeling is hard, no question.

May 31, 2008 08:09 AM Forum: Eyepieces

TV 22mm. Pan

Posted By Mike Ratcliff
It was discontinued a few months ago. Same with the 15mm a year or two ago.

July 29, 2008 06:37 PM Forum: Global Warming - REAL or NOT

Civility on this Forum?

Posted By Mike Ratcliff
My opinion, the lack of civility on this forum has chased away a lot of people.

I posted several times a few months ago, I thought I was civil. I learned a great deal (thank you Jason) but also received some uncalled-for insults that, in my opinion, deserved some moderator action. I'm a mild mannered guy, and I've never received anything like this on other AM or CN locations, though I stay out of AM politics and religion.

I check in once in a while but hold my nose.

Mike Ratcliff


July 29, 2008 11:31 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Mixed Deep Sky Objects?

Posted By Mike Ratcliff
Could this be what you are thinking of?

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/1330211/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1/vc/1

August 31, 2008 02:37 AM Forum: Ask rating questions here

selling to the first firm bid

Posted By Mike Ratcliff
I will take the first firm bid such as "I will take it for xxxx dollars" that meets my asking price and with a person that has a good rating.

If they just ask a question, I don't count it as a bid. I'll try to answer, but if another firm bid comes in, the firm bid will get the deal.

"I'm interested" is also not a bid in my opinion. I don't get many of those.

If they make a low offer, I will respond with "Thanks but I will wait a while longer to see if another better bid comes in. I will keep you in mind if I change my mind".

If they have no rating or just a few ratings, I may call them and chat. If they seem to know something about astronomy, and if the item is not expensive, I may go ahead with the deal. If not, I will just wait for another bid, but this is rare. There is no rule that you have to accept a bid if you are not comfortable with the deal.

I always send back a message agreeing with the deal, to make it more clear.

I recommend selling one or two items at a time to keep from getting confused. Also don't sell if you are about to go on a trip. Stay in town.


Hope that helps.

Mike

September 18, 2008 03:37 PM Forum: Eyepieces

My first Nagler

Posted By Mike Ratcliff
My only caution is that you do have to get your eye fairly close to the eyepiece (tight eye relief) to see the whole field of view. It may take a while to get used to it.

I bought a 9mm T6 years ago and didn't like it. I recently bought a 13mm T6 and it seems well behaved due to more experience.

Good luck.

Mike

December 14, 2008 12:30 AM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Minimum of Algol

Posted By Mike Ratcliff
Right, the minimum brightness at the middle of the transit of the eclipsing star. (I'm no expert, just read about it here and there).

Mike

January 16, 2009 05:17 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Marrk Harry Link?

Posted By Mike Ratcliff
He is a regular poster at the Cloudy Nights ATM forum. You could try a PM on there. In fact he has posted some today.

I sort of remember him saying that he was not in business anymore, but did not find a post to confirm that.



Mike

Funding Member

Telescopes, Astronomy, Binoculars

Sponsors


View all sponsors

Search