Posts Made By: Anthony Morse

First and foremost I think we all owe Herb a word of thanks. He's certainly sacrificed a great deal in the way of time and heartache.
It's unfortunate that it had to come to this (log-in and regulation). However, it should go quite a ways towards reducing silly/belligerent posts and profanity.
I do agree with one excellent suggestion (posted originally by Ryan in 'Off-Topic'...I just bring it up here as it's a major issue and this forum receives more traffic). With only first names attached it is difficult to keep track/differentiate between posts. Many of us have fairly common names. While I think that the fear over first/last name attachment is largely unwarranted, I am sensitivie to other peoples' concerns. Ryan suggests we each create a "posting name"...something unique, unchangeable, and as silly or creative as we wish which will be displayed along with our first names (i.e. AsteroidMiner(Anthony) ). This allows some differentiation between posts while mainting log-in accountability and a certain small measure of public accountability with the first name.

I've read the preceding thread re: Sponsors/dealers with great interest. It seems to me that many valid points have been raised by individuals on both sides of the issue.
I can certainly see matters from Herb's perspective. While my knowledge of web servers/support is limited I imagine that there is significant cost involved (both financial and in terms of the administrator's time). It seems reasonable that the administrators would express some indignation and expect some support from those using AstroMart to conduct for profit business.
On the other side I agree that it would be quite difficult (if not impossible) to determine who is, in fact, a dealer and who is an enthusiastic hobbyist. I also agree that many of the Top Users are (as was mentioned) a portion of the 'heart' of AstroMart.
I wonder what people might think of giving each AstroMart member a certain number of 'free' ads and then giving them the option to 'purchase' more should they wish. In such a fashion the issue of support shifts from trying to ascertain who is and who is not a dealer (which, as I've mentioned seems rather difficult) to simply paying for use should one wish to exceed a set threshold. Both dealer and non dealer ads cost the same for the server to support.
Just some thoughts...any idea?

Forgive the uninformed question...but what's a "flipper"?
Thanks

Hi everyone,

I'm curious as to what you think a reasonable price (very generally speaking) for a used item is. I am aware that there are a great many variables (condition of item, perhaps it's something very rare and sought after). However, just in general terms, for fairly common items, and provided they are in decent shape. What seems reasonable? I've seen items listed at 95% of new retail cost. Seems a little on the high end. I realize that in a free market one is free to set any price and if someone buys it, well then, more power to you. Any thoughts on used pricing?

Hi,

I have a C-8 which I would like to collimate. My first question is this. Can one achieve accurate collimation during the daylight hours by focusing on a sign or and adjusting for a crisp effect? Or is this something which really must be done at night? I suppose I am wondering whether focusing on a star (light-emitting object) is different than a daylight-reflecting object, and if so, why?
When I focus on things during the daylight hours the don't come into sharp, clear focus. The mirror looks good. Would this be an indication of a collimation problem or perhaps something else?
Thanks,
Tony

I'm curious as to what your opinions are regarding the prospects of life elsewhere in the universe? I mean this with the utmost sincerity and am not attempting to generate a thread of silly comments. Surely one involved in astronomy cannot help but wonder, marvel even, at what is and may be "out there".
I'm curious whether people feel that life exists elsewhere in our solar system (Europa, in the Martian past, etc.), or our galaxy?
For those familiar with the Drake equation it would seem that the probability is indeed quite high. However, several of the variables involve guesswork and thus, it is not a certainty.
Furthermore, one might speculate on the prospect for "intelligent life" (humbly, and probably presumptively using us a model for "intelligence"). And thus, if the galaxy is indeed teeming with self-aware, technologically advanced beings, why have they not contacted us....or have they (as some claim...I however am not in this category).
When one thinks of human evolution, with modern humans existing for perhaps 200,000 or so years (and with real evidence of advanced thought such as Lascaux cave art existing for perhaps 35,000-40,000 years) it is indeed amazing how far, how fast we've come. Just think where we may be in another 1,000 years, another 10,000, another million...all cosmic blinks of an eye...intelligent life somewhere else could be just such a few blinks ahead of us...with technology and abilities we can scarcely imagine.

Any thoughts?

Hi everyone,

What sort of set-up would one use to search for NEOs (Near Earth Objects). I'm imaging it would likely need to be done photographically, with long exposure periods which would show movement. What sort of scope might be appropriate? Would a fairly inexpensive 35mm camera be sufficient?
Does anyone here do this? And, does anyone hunt for comets?

Thanks,
Tony

I'm curious. Why does astronomy seem to be largely a male pursuit? Mind you, I'm drawing my conclusions based on two personal observations (which hardly qualify as empirical). 1 : the people posting to these boards seem to be almost exclusively male (with a few exceptions). 2 : the visible ranks of professional astronomers/cosmologists also seem to be heavily skewed towards the XY.
I have never been to a Star Party, so I don't know how many members of the fairer sex are generally present.

Hi everyone,

I'm interested in recommendations regarding current, well-written books on cosmology. Seems the residents of AstroMart are the best group to ask.
I'm also interested in opinions regarding the quality of astronomy-related magazines out there...I'd imagine that some are more observation-oriented and some more cosmological in nature...I'm specially interested in the latter.

Thanks,
Tony

As a teenager during the 1980's I remember being regaled with stories about how our satellites could literally "read a copy of Pravda through an open window in the Kremlin". I'm hardly an expert on optics, but such claims seem a little far-fetched...given the mass of air and moisture one would have to magnify through.
I'm curious what people here think/or know about the capabilities of our eyes in the sky.

Tony