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Posts Made By: Stacey Thater

March 19, 2003 09:02 PM Forum: Chinese Optics Imports

127mm Update with changes

Posted By Stacey Thater
Does anyone know if the original 127mm OTA's will include the additional items that are now listed on the Burgess Optical website? Namely the aluminum carrying case and the 7 and 32mm eyepieces.

March 27, 2003 10:35 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Dob Alt Bearings:Ebony Star or Velcro

Posted By Stacey Thater
Does anyone have an opinion on the relative merits of either Ebony Star/Teflon vs. Velcro/Teflon for altitude bearing surfaces? Also, which half of the velcro is used, the fuzzy "loop" side or the harder plastic "hook" side?

March 31, 2003 03:15 PM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

Simpson's Astronomy

Posted By Stacey Thater
Did anyone catch the episode of the "Simpsons" from last night? I flipped over while in progress and noticed Lisa's dilemma about finding a dark site to observe the stars from. Did anyone see the entire show? Was it relatively accurate (in a Simpson parameter) in its portrayal of the problem?

June 12, 2003 09:17 PM Forum: Meade

Meade Capture view binoculars

Posted By Stacey Thater
Just received my Meade Capture view binos and I have a few comments. First of all, the specs are different from the literature. The objectives are 30mm, not 22(apparently not stopped down either), and the close focus for the camera is only 32 feet instead of 49 feet. The camera must be focused for infinity because while the bino's focus like normal porro prisms, the picture focus is not adjustable. It comes with an adequate soft case and can store 48 Hi res(640x480)images. You must download via the enclosed USB cable and the included software is adequate. You must remove the batteries between uses or they will drain in a few days. You then lose your stored images. Comments?

June 23, 2003 12:55 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Source for 6" diagonal mirror

Posted By Stacey Thater
While working on our 30" f/4 reflector this weekend, I discovered that the secondary is woefully undersized(4" m.a.). Are there any suppliers of 6" diagonals out there?

June 26, 2003 06:40 PM Forum: Astro-Physics

Stowaway Sorrow

Posted By Stacey Thater
I just found out that AP stopped filling orders for the Stowaway "thru 9/99". I was on the list as of 10/9/99!
I was possibly the very next person in line for a scope. Anyone have a similar close call? Since they aren't producing any more of the Stowaways, it's a little harder to take then my wait for the Traveler or 130 f/6(Probably two cycles away each). Help share the pain, tell me you were on the Stowaway list earlier.

July 2, 2003 03:21 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Grinding off enhanced coatings?

Posted By Stacey Thater
I am being told by several VERY experienced observers in our club that the enhanced coatings on our 30" mirror would need to be GROUND off to apply a new coating. This would necessitate refiguring and polishing and many other headaches(the mirror has a central hole). Has anyone heard of a coating that needs to be ground off?

July 11, 2003 04:36 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

New equipment curse broken!

Posted By Stacey Thater
You are all welcome. I received a new scope today(technically it is used)and the skies are perfect! Even with the nearly full Moon, M13 is nice, split double-double,viewed the coathanger, omicron cygni, and through a little gap in the trees, Mars just rising. I suggest when you need a clear night, just send some new equipment to me and a clear night is guaranteed ; )

July 15, 2003 03:57 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

The view is the thing

Posted By Stacey Thater
We can discuss optical quality, aperture, and price until we are blue in the face, but what it comes down to is the view. When we say that "all else being equal, aperture wins" we have to realize that all else is NEVER equal. I sometimes(about 30%) use my 12.5" reflector stopped down to 4" because the view is better to my eyes on some objects under some conditions. Since the scope is identical optically(no obvious zonal abnormalities), why should I prefer the "inferior" smaller aperture? Also sometimes I use my 5" goto SCT for convenience and sketching and my 4" APO for double stars, etc. You just can't factor the observer into, or out of, the equation.

July 15, 2003 09:20 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Visual Test Experiment, Try this

Posted By Stacey Thater
If you are interested in a visual test experiment, read my next post and try it out on someone else. If you want to take it yourself, don't read the next post and have a friend give the test to you. Interested?

Stacey Thater

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