Image of the day

Captured by
Byron Davies

M-20 Trifid Nebula

About Astromart

My Account

New to Astromart?

Register an account...

Need Help?

Posts Made By: Alan Grant

May 13, 2004 03:55 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Unitron versus D&G Optical

Posted By Alan Grant
I am considering ordering a 5" D&G. How does the color correction compare to a Unitron? My 3" Unitron is virtually color free. Thanks, Alan Longfocus

May 14, 2004 08:27 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Record Set for Messier Marathon?

Posted By Alan Grant
YOU DEEP SKY GUYS ARE A DEDICATED GROUP. FINDING THE TIME TO GET OUT TO VERY DARK SKYS WITH A DAY JOB AND FAMILY IS DIFFICULT, ALTHOUGH, MOST REWARDING BOTH OBSERVING AND IN THE INTRINSIC BEAUTY OF THE NIGHT SKY IN REMOTE LOCATIONS.
AFTER COMPILING MY OBSERVING LOG I NOTICED I HAVE COMPLETED ALL 110(109)OBJECTS ON THE MESSIER LIST. I STARTED LOGGING THINGS WHEN I GOT MY FIRST TELESCOPE IN NOVEMBER OF 1986 AND FINISHED WITH THE MESSIER CATALOG SEPTEMBER OF 2003. COULD THIS POSSIBLY BE THE LONGEST RECORD
FOR A MESSIER MARATHON?

October 22, 2004 06:37 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Atmospheric Pockets?

Posted By Alan Grant
A while back I read an article on 'pockets' in the atmosphere that can prevent good seeing in otherwise good seeing nights. I never really put much faith in this until recently. The other night I was unable to locate NGC-6440, a 9.3 glob in Sagitarious but, I was able to see NGC-6445 a 11.3 planetary that is just a low power eyepiece view away. The next night, no sign of the planetary and the glob was bright.
I thought I've had this problem in the Virgo cluster also, but I just put it off to being tired and lost.
Am I in the pocket or is this my grey matter ageing?

January 20, 2007 09:17 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

ALPO Lunar Club Program Question

Posted By Alan Grant
Under 'Naked Eye Objects', two of the features are, 'Old Moon in New Moon's Arms' and 'New Moon in Old Moon's Arms'.
Huh? I need help on that one.

May 15, 2004 02:41 AM Forum: Home Observatories

Buying property in the Mountains

Posted By Alan Grant
I read a letter in Sky&Telescope a couple years back that touched home. The point was that as the 'boomer' amatuers start retiring we will have kindred souls living in isolated mountain and desert enviroments living out our dream of stunning dark skies. The person you've been communicating with on the forum could be that guy that lives on that gravel road two miles down off your lane.

April 17, 2005 11:37 PM Forum: Refractors

Help with a 4" f15 Project

Posted By Alan Grant
Hi Rod,
I own a Antares F15 refractor. If you are concerned about the quality, I can say it meets or exceeds any Unitron I've looked through.

December 17, 2006 04:58 AM Forum: Refractors

Antares long refractors??? f=1500mm

Posted By Alan Grant
I own the f15 FL1500 and have been extremely pleased with it. I own a 60mm & 75mm Unitron and the Antares is as good or better, with the extra aperture, it is way better. The only 'color' I've noticed with it is at 250x on Jupiter, a slight 'blueish' fringe, it did not concern me.
I won't go into any APO comparisons but, I can tell you I have been very contented with my scope after being at star parties. The down side...mines mounted on a Losmandy GM8, it's adequate, go with a GM11.

October 27, 2008 08:07 PM Forum: Astro-Physics

photo of paradise

Posted By Alan Grant
Right on Ivan! You know how to live.

Funding Member

Sponsors


View all sponsors

Search