Posts Made By: Edgardo Carlos

Hi,

I recently purchases a used astroview mount cg3. I think it was used with the Orion 120st. So the mount head can be used with tube rings (out of the box). I have a mak 130 that wanted to mount on it without using any tube rings. The mak 130 has a mounting rail (dovetail type). Does anyone know if there's a way that can mount this? Is there an adapter that I could build or buy?

Thanks
Ed

Hi All,

I just bought a 120st from Orion. This is the first 5" short refractor F5 that I've bought. I have been using either an MCT or SCT. I mated this scope with a two inch diagonal with a 2" 32mm eyepiece.

I've been hearing that refractors generate colors. I had some concerns about the scope, since I started using it. I called Orion and they had advised me to test the scope during the day and focusing it on an object atleast 300ft away. I did that and focused it on a tree. Here are the results:

If I look straight through the eyepiece, there's no color
If I move my eyes (head) slightly off center towards the right I get the violet color

Also - just to note at night when using the 2" eyepiece, I get good focus in the center of the fov but doughnut stars around the edge.

Are these normal behaviour for these types of scopes? I still have a couple of weeks to return it. Should I?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks
Ed

Hello,

Has anyone mounted an Orion 120ST (short tube) on a CG5 mount? Or a similar size scope? Right now I have the 120ST mounted on an Orion Astroview (EQ3) with a pair of tube rings.

thanks
Ed

Hello,

I need help identifying what I believe is a satellite. I was observing NGC1023 on Nov 20, 2003 between 10:15PM and 10:24PM eastern standard time. While observing I notice a very faint object moving southwest of the field of view. I notice it because it was pulsating. I followed it and counted the interval of the pulse. I counted around 5 seconds. Compared to the background stars it seems to pulsate between 4 and 9 magnitude. It was very small and wasn't moving fast. I was using a 32mm 1.25 eyepiece on a 5"MCT 2000mm. I tried to time the movement the object edge to edge of the eyepiece. It was somewhere between 50-65 seconds. I followed it for about 10 minutes, approx 15degrees across the sky. I lost it somewhere in Aries near the 41 Arietis star.

I don't think it's a meteor because it's slow and pulsating. I don't think it's an airplane because it seems to be to high. I leave near Newark so I get commercial air traffic all the time and I've seen planes cross my field of view. They're not that small.

I think it's a satellite but what confused me was that it was pulsating. Is there any place where I can find information on what satellites where in orbit at that time?

Below are some addtional information

Thanks and Clear Skies
Ed

Start:
NGC 1023 UGC 2154
J2000 RA: 2h40m24.00s DE:+39°04'00.0"
Date RA: 2h40m38.67s DE:+39°04'59.6"

End:
Star
HR 951 HD 19787
Constellation: Aries
Visual Magnitude: 4.35
J2000 RA: 3h11m37.80s DE:+19°43'36.0"
Date RA: 3h11m51.13s DE:+19°44'28.2"

Equipment
APM Mak 130 - 2000mm
32mm/ 1.25 Plossl eyepiece
EQ3 Mount (manual)

Observer's Location: 40.7960°N, 74.3150°W
Observing date/time: November 20, 2003 10:25-10:39 (approx)

Hi All,

I'm planning on mounting two telescopes on my Orion Atlas in tandem setup.

Has anyone used an Orion Atlas with a dual saddle? Does anyone know where to buy them or if anyone has a design that I can use?

I've seen the dual saddle from Ken's ring's (not sure if the CG5 version fits) and Losmandy (looks to wide). I've also seen other GEMs with this setup using custom mounts. All of the GEMs looks as if the head is rotated 90degrees. Can this be done on an Atlas?

Thanks and Clear Skies
Ed

This might be an open ended topic but we need help.

We are in the process of restoring a cassegrain (relay lens) telescope. Unfortunately, the telescope's tube does not seem salvageable.

Any recommendations on where can we go for help in replacing the tube, either as a purchase or custom made. The dimensions of the tube are shown in the attached picture.

Here are some criteria for the tube

=The telescope will be mounted on a fork so the tube needs to be strong
=Preferrably made of light material
=Must have provisions for the truss tubes for the secondary mirror
=Corrosion resistant as much as possible (will likely be stored in a shed
=Would be great if it can be painted, unless it's black
=Limited budget

Any ideas on the truss tube as well, very similar criteria as above.

Thanks
Ed

Recently went on vacation at Deposit NY to do some observing and then went straight to Stellafane for the ATM conference. Great dark skies in NY!!! (I'd never thought I would ever say those words in the same sentence.)

Attached are the scopes and bino that I brought for observing. And yes I did bring my family as well. My wife > asked "where are we putting our clothes and camping gear?" My response - "Clothes goes on the roof rack, camping gear goes onto a hitch at the back of the truck, scopes of course are inside the truck. Oh and the kids can go inside the truck too..." 8)

Clear Skies
Ed

Hi,

Looks awesome!!!

I live in NJ as well... If you don't mind me asking, what's the cost of the job with them coming in from Ohio. Just a ballpark.

What kind of permits did you need to get?

Thanks
Ed

Hi Bill

I saw your email as well on UACNJ. Thanks for the info. I'll respond to you on that channel.

But you are correct in that this is Roger Tuthill's telescope.

Thanks
Ed