Mosaic of Rosette in HaPosted By Doug Walton |
Thanks for the great post...
Posts Made By: Doug Walton
January 14, 2004 01:53 PM
Forum:
CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System
February 7, 2004 03:39 PM
Forum:
Birding Optics and Photos
Swarovski protective casesPosted By Doug Walton |
I've got something very similar to it that Kowa made for my Kowa 824. In my case, it stays on the scope all the time and makes it easy to stash the scope and tripod in the back of the vehicle without worrying about it getting smashed around too much.
Doug
Doug
March 13, 2004 03:14 PM
Forum:
Equipment Talk
Somebody tell Al Nagler he mispronounces his name.Posted By Doug Walton |
Wow.
This forum has gone from a painfully-interminable string of posts about the ups and downs of aquiring a Discovery telescope, to now, the weighty subject of how Al Nagler pronounces his last name.
These are strange times.
This forum has gone from a painfully-interminable string of posts about the ups and downs of aquiring a Discovery telescope, to now, the weighty subject of how Al Nagler pronounces his last name.
These are strange times.
March 19, 2004 04:51 PM
Forum:
Equipment Talk
How Critical is Focuser Alignment ?Posted By Doug Walton |
I would say that the expected effect is that you'll wonder if you could be getting better views if the focuser was aligned correctly. ;-)
I would advise that you go ahead and align the focuser. I've had a few scopes that had slightly mis-aligned focusers. Fixing it resulted in cleaner collimation, really nice star tests, and great views.
Doug
I would advise that you go ahead and align the focuser. I've had a few scopes that had slightly mis-aligned focusers. Fixing it resulted in cleaner collimation, really nice star tests, and great views.
Doug
March 30, 2004 01:23 PM
Forum:
CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System
Alpine valleyPosted By Doug Walton |
There is something about this image that allows me to imagine "being there" that I don't often see. Thanks!
Doug
Doug
April 20, 2004 11:49 AM
Forum:
CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System
May 30, 2004 04:12 AM
Forum:
Equipment Talk
Kendrick SCT CollimatorPosted By Doug Walton |
Bag the SCT laser collimator.
Get some Bob's Nobs and practice a little doing start test collimation.
Get some Bob's Nobs and practice a little doing start test collimation.
June 2, 2004 12:21 PM
Forum:
Equipment Talk
focuser travel problem with ParacorrPosted By Doug Walton |
I had this come up on a Starmaster that originally had the older-style Paracorr with the lower profile tunable top. The newer Paracorrs have a higher profile top. I raised my primary up and that solved it. I've also talked to people that just decided to rotate the tunable top down lower than is recommended by Televue for a particluar EP, which also solved the in-focus travel problem, but possibly reduced the effectiveness of the Paracorr farther out in the FOV.
Good luck,
Doug
Good luck,
Doug
June 13, 2004 03:34 PM
Forum:
Telescope Making
Results of my Discovery PDHQ mirror Ronchi testPosted By Doug Walton |
I would say that the Cheshire is not as accurate of an indicator of collimation accuracy as an autocollimator, but it gets you close. That's why a lot of people use the Cheshire to get things roughly aligned (i.e. get the primary lined up with the secondary), and then use the autocollimator for final tweaking.
And IMO, I've found that using a 2" Cheshire and a 2" autocollimator in a 2" focuser yields slightly more accurate, consistent, and easily-readable results.
And IMO, I've found that using a 2" Cheshire and a 2" autocollimator in a 2" focuser yields slightly more accurate, consistent, and easily-readable results.
June 23, 2004 01:44 PM
Forum:
Equipment Talk
First Scope-Will this be too frustrating?Posted By Doug Walton |
Hi Sarah,
Just a few thoughts and opinions...
After having been through a lot of scopes, and looking back on my own astronomy start, I think your choice of a first scope (a dob reflector) is a very good one. I suggest the 8" or 10" version of what you're looking at, because they will let you see more (especially the 10") but it ain't a big deal.
The Hardin scopes you're looking at are priced reasonably, and are fine in terms of quality. If in the future you decide to move to a different scope, you'll get a lot of your money back out of your current scope.
You'll get collimation figured out soon enough, and remember that it is important to get it right. It makes a real difference in the quality of what you see.
Digital setting circles (DSCs) are IMO are big advantage. The starhopping route can be enjoyable - I think it's a personality thing. Some people like the "hunt", and others (like me) enjoy studying the object of interest. You'll figure that out over time. IMO, you definitely don't need motorized GOTO for now, although it it a fun feature to use.
Finally, going to star parties or hanging out with astro folks inyour area for some nights of observing will really accelerate your understanding and enjoyment of astronomy. You'll learn a lot and have way more fun.
Good luck!
Doug
Just a few thoughts and opinions...
After having been through a lot of scopes, and looking back on my own astronomy start, I think your choice of a first scope (a dob reflector) is a very good one. I
The Hardin scopes you're looking at are priced reasonably, and are fine in terms of quality. If in the future you decide to move to a different scope, you'll get a lot of your money back out of your current scope.
You'll get collimation figured out soon enough, and remember that it is important to get it right. It makes a real difference in the quality of what you see.
Digital setting circles (DSCs) are IMO are big advantage. The starhopping route can be enjoyable - I think it's a personality thing. Some people like the "hunt", and others (like me) enjoy studying the object of interest. You'll figure that out over time. IMO, you definitely don't need motorized GOTO for now, although it it a fun feature to use.
Finally, going to star parties or hanging out with astro folks inyour area for some nights of observing will really accelerate your understanding and enjoyment of astronomy. You'll learn a lot and have way more fun.
Good luck!
Doug
Funding Member
