Posts Made By: Joe Krzizike

Hi all!

First off I'm very new to astronomy but have always had a passion for the heavens. I just recently purchased a GP mount and some eyepieces from a superb A-marter and a Tak FS 102 from Anacortes (phenomenal service, BTW). This being my first real scope I was interested in what I was going to see the first time out. I've read hundreds or more posts from the likes of Ronbee, Floyd Blue, Michael C., Jim E. Gleason, and everyone else. I think I've learned more from this forum than I have from college astronomy! THANKS!!! Anyway, to my observations!

I set up intending to align my finder scope, get more practice on the mount, and do some lunar observing (you know, noob stuff!) Seeing seemed pretty good from I could tell (I'll get to this later), but the moon was almost full. I plugged in my lunar filter, an eyepiece, and away I went.

The views of the moon were breathtaking to my beginner eye! I was amazed at the detail I saw! WOW! I bumped up the mag with a barlow and was in awe! I roamed the lunar landscape stopping at each crater and hovering over each maria for more than an hour. I did not want to stop!

I did finally stop and checked the Sky and Telescope website to see what else was up at the time. I noticed Saturn could be viewed so away I slewed (I have no motors so everything is manual, I love it)!

Being new to using a telescope I had trouble focusing. I moved the focus knobs back and forth attempting to bring something clear into view. Then out of nowhere this tiny, creamy colored orb with pale rings appeared. BEAUTIFUL! I think seeing Saturn for the first time with my own eyes rates right up there as one of the most stunning things I have ever seen. I toyed with the focuser and added a barlow, and low and behold, there's the Cassini Division! I felt giddy as a child closely observing every detail my light polluted skies would produce. For over an hour I gazed, slewed, gazed, slewed! I was able to make out some of the cloud detail on the planet and more resolution on the rings! Words cannot describe my elation!

I observed for well over 2 hours but it seemed like 5 minutes. How time flew and how I long for another night!

continued...

Just out of curiosity, how does everyone take care of their scope(s). Other than the basics like keeping lense covers on, what else do you do?

I look at my scope like I look at a new car. I'm even considering waxing the bad boy since the finish seems similar to that of a new vehicle. Anyone ever done this and/or tried the Astropro wax?

Thanks for any answers, I'd like to keep my investment in top shape for years to come!

Cheers!
JOE

After paralasys my analasis, I've decided to ask this on a message board.

I'm about to enter the market for a high power eyepiece for a TAK FS102. The contestants are:

5mm Radian - I've read good and bad on this from kidney beaning to internal reflections.

5mm Tak LE - Good reviews and decent eye relief, but FOV is small compared to the Radian.

5mm UO Ortho - Same as above, but concerned about FOV. Maybe not as good as the TAK from reviews I've read, but a lot cheaper.

5mm Nagler Type 6 - Is this EP better than the Radian?

I don't have any motors on my mount so a widefield EP would be nice. I have had the scope at high power (+200X) and have noticed objects flying through the EP. It hasn't bothered me yet, but who knows.

Also, I may (read: on rare occasions) barlow it to push the limits of my scope.

Bottom line: I'm looking for a HIGH quality EP that will please me for years (and scopes) to come.

Thanks for the tips!
JOE

Michael,
I noticed that you previously owned a Vixen GP mount. How much difference did you notice in vibration dampening between the stock aluminum tripod and the Tak tripod?

Thanks!
JOE

Hola!

Does anyone have/use this diagonal? I'm thinking of delving into the realm of 2" EP's and need a diagonal. For $99 it seems like a steal! Not to mention, I don't want to pony up too much for a 2" anything until I get a feel for how much I'm going to use it.

Thanks!
JOE

Hi all!

I'm in the process of upgrading my EP's and would like to get rid of my Orion 17mm and 32 mm Plossl's, as well as my Orion Shorty Barlow. I'm thinking of replacing this equipment with a 2" 2X TV Powermate and a 35mm Panoptic.

Would the "barlowed" Panoptic effectively replace my 17mm? Or would you suggest bypassing the powermate now and getting a 17mm or 16mm Nagler?

My current EP's (in addition to the ones listed above) are as follows:
20mm Vixen Lan
7.5mm Vixen Lan
5mm UO Ortho

I currently have an FS-102 and will be ordering a WO 2" diag.

Thanks!
JOE

I am in the market for a small refractor and mount/tripod setup that is ultra portable. Due to my hectic schedule and lack of viewing time, no setup time or cool down is a must. I have pretty much narrowed it down to the SV AT1010, TV Pronto, and (gulp) the TV 76. I was also thinking of mounting it on a Telepod setup or something similar. PORTABILITY IS KEY! Also, I'm hoping to keep the costs at a minimum because I'm thinking of dabbling with HA and will need to save up for the filter.

I've been pretty much planetary, but would like to observe more widefield stuff. Luna still holds a special place in my heart, so I need respectable lunar performance.

Caveat: I had a 4" Tak on an EM200 before so I want this scope to be in the 3" range. I have aperature fever, but in the wrong direction! Also, for some crazy reason I do not like Orion products so their APO is out of the question. I also don't like helical focusers.

Any suggestions as to what would fit the bill for my desired application would be greatly appreciated!!!

Clear skies,
JOE

They had a pretty comprehensive program on the Cassini mission that aired on the NASA channel. They said the spacecraft would make two passes through Saturn's ring system in order to get in position for orbit. They did not disclose how and where they would accomplish these passes. I am curious as to how they are going to navigate the craft through the rings without damage. I've always been under the impression that rings contained various sizes of rock and ice varying from humungous in size to small particles.

Note - They stated that they accomplished this maneuver 3 times with previous spacecraft.

I am in the market again for a grab and go scope and was almost set on a TV-76 or TV-85 when I found a UTI 6" F/5 with a Royce primary for a similar price.

I have never owned a reflector, but have owned several APO's and an SCT. I am curious, all things aside, if the 6" with the premium optics will outperform the TV-85 for example.

Caveat: My viewing consists of observing mostly planets and luna from a 3rd floor apartment balcony. I do make infrequent trips to dark skies when my travel/work/school schedule permits, so there is some DSO work.

Any recommendations on a good photo head/tripod combination that will work well with a TMB 80/480? I'd like something robust that is still super portable, but will still hold the scope and be usable at high powers.

My other option is to go back to a UA Microstar. I owned one of these mounts before and liked it, but I'm thinking a photo head might do a great job.

Do photo heads come with slo mo controls? I've never owned one so I have no idea.

Thanks!