Posts Made By: Alan Rothenberg

Merlin Designs http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~keithb/
Made mine for my new home last year. If you ever wanted an accuarte sundial, and not one of the garden store cheapies, check their website out. They are out of England, but the turn around time was quick.


Regards,
Alan Rothenberg
Wixom, MI.

My dear fellow astromarters;
Your advice is requested. I'm the proud owner of a Takahashi Mewlon 180, and I'm considering a white light solar filter. Having been a refractor man most of my observing life, I wondered if I should chance the long f/ratio and go for an off axis mask, or go full apature at f/12. If the off axis is not going to push the limits of the dell-kirkham, I may have the filter made full ap, and a mask added to get the best of both. Your comments are welcome.

Thanks in Advance,
Alan Rothenberg
Wixom, MI.

I'm trying to reach Tom regarding a qustion about my Dobbins mount. Have not talked to him since the early '90s. Email or phone number please, or let him know to contact me. He's got to be busy with Mars this spring.

After 18 years I've chosen to case my 4" f/15 Vixen Refractor. I looked into the custom made strong boxes that are available for the price of the OTA when new, but thougth I should be able to find a less expensive option. I have, I went to a PLAY IT AGAIN sporting goods store, and bought a used Snowboard storage bag. The scope fits perfect dew cap and all. With the right padding applied, it will work for my needs. A one ended cheapy bag fits over my wooden tripod legs, for safe keeping. Thats my 2 cents worth.

Alan Rothenberg
Wixom, MI.

My Takahashi Mewlon 180 rides on a Vixen Polaris mount vintage 1984. This photo was taken by Richard Gala of the Warren Astronomical Society on August 27, 2003 at The Cranbrook Institue of Science 18 miles Northwest of Detroit. A dozen members set up scopes for the public to view Mars on the night of it's peragee. The crowd 4K+,that showed up to view, chocked Woodward Ave. (an 8 lane road), and backed up traffic into the City of Pontiac for 4 hours. The police said they were not perpared for the traffic problems that resulted. The public was reported to be parking along the main road illegally, and crawling through the woods of the campus to get to the observing site. Word was there were at least 4 smash ups on the main road as a result of the masses trying to become part of Mars Mania! Not since Halley's Comet has this kind of response been seen.

I had to pretend to make sure that Mars was still in the eyepiece to get a chance to look. Otherwise I would not have gotten to see it on the best night. This is the price we pay for allowing the public to look through our scopes on special events.

After 15 years, Jim Ehlers and I got to observe once again with our 4" f/15 Refractors. Jim's is a classic Unitron with all the toys,down to the Unihex. Mine is a Vixen circa 1985, on a CI-700 mount and Dobbin's Hardwood field tripod.
Both scopes were outstanding, and the double stars we cast our scopes at, pleased beyond expectation. In all about 30 stars observed.

We observed from Romeo Michigan, on the grounds of the Warren Astronomical Society's, Stargate Observatory.
The night was damp with dew, but once it fell, dawes limit was easy pickings. The joys of the long f/ratio scopes are rare to many in the hobby these days, but those who are in the know, smurk at the stubby, expensive OTA's being offered. Save your money and go long!

Regards, Alan - Wixom, MI. 8O

Hey Riyad,
How about getting that 6" f/12 out one of these decades?
Riyad was building his custom mount and borrowed a friends Starliner mount to observe with, photo circa 1988.

In the late 1980's the "Old Guard" (our observing cliques name),would observe from a Detroit Edison Power transfer station near Plymouth Michigan. Photo is of Our mentor Steve on the ladder, Doc Kopin, and myself (looking much younger I may add). We were helping to obtain a balance once the 5" was mounted on the 6" f/12 APO Triplet AP Superplanetary. Those who notice such things will note that the tube assembly is a Dobbins, but the lens is all Astrophysics. The scope is on a Dobbins Instrument Custom Mount, and wooden field tripod.

Steve's Van (Mammoth) was required to transport this beast. Some of the finest planetary observing I've ever had the pleasure to do was with this instrument. Those were the best of times. Circa 1988

Alan

Some may remember I posted a photo of this 6"f/15 (Jaeger's Objective)homemade folded OTA about 6 months ago. It was on a homemade mount that was not at all portable. The winter has allowed me to adapt the scope to a CI-700 mount and Losmandy tripod very nicely. After shortening the legs slightly to accommodate the needed height,it's worked out great. Damping was better then expected and the mount was rock solid. A folded system upon my first impression was not appealing, but as I've worked with this scope, and I've come to appreciate it for portability and outstanding comfort during observing.

The planets in this scope are breathtaking. Double stars are a delight, and viewing the moon will make you weep it's so amazing. Alan - Wixom, MI.

Carlos,
I think you've got an exceptional idea in the templates. Please add me to the list for a copy.

Thanks,
Alan Rothenberg