Posts Made By: Shawn Filbey

Hi, I just got my N-11, so the night sky is a wonderful place. Quick question from a first time 'big' scope user - what kind of detail can I expect to get when visually observing DSOs? So far, I'm only getting the 'faint fuzzies'. I'm thinking (hoping) my Atlanta suburb light pollution is killing me, but wondering what the possibilities are from a dark sky site. I don't expect the colors of imaging, of course, but was hoping for some shape definition from spirals, etc. Any info is greatly appreciated. Shawn Filbey

I have a friend with a 60-D (think that's right). I have the T-adapter and Canon ring, and just got a Kendrick quick-focus to help get prime. Any suggestions on settings/exp time on Jupiter,Saturn, M42? Using a Nexstar 11 GPS f/10 from suburban Atlanta. Collimation's good. Thanks Astromart!

I have an N11 GPS with Fastar, but I can't find the lens assembly referenced anywhere. Everything I see, including on Celestron's website, is for the 8" or 14". Does anyone know what gives?

Thanks, and clear skies

Shawn

Has anyone used Apple's iSight webcam for astro imaging? I want to start imaging, and own an iMac laptop. Only specs I can get are as follows: 1/4" CCD, 640x480 array, up to 30 fps (due to firewire interface) focus 50mm-infinity. Any info/advice is appreciated.

Clear skies,

Shawn Filbey

I have my much anticipated 2" Everbrite diagonal on the way, and I'm trying to settle on the 'best' choice of focal length for my first 2" eyepiece choice. I have a Nexstar 11GPS, the stock 1.25" diagonal, and the Celestron Plossl promo set. I'm ready to spend around $250, and don't mind a slightly used bargain here. A couple of my points of indecision come from not knowing where the best advantages of the 3/4" gain show up. Field of view? Brightness? The obvious question of 'what do I want to observe?' kind of hinges on the answer to the first point. I love planetary viewing, but spend more time on DSOs. Thanks in advance for the advice.

Clear skies,

Shawn

I'm looking to 'graduate' from my webcam to a CCD. I won a Meade DSI at the GSV2005 star party, and thought that would be a great step up, but it won't work on my Mac! Particulars are below. Any advice (even wait until you have more money!) is welcome. Research so far tells me that SBIG cameras work with Equinox, and that Starlight Instruments work with iCCD on Macs. The thing I really don't understand is what pixel and chip sizes work well with what scope focal lengths, etc., so I can't figure out which ones mate to my scope well.

Budget - $500-$1000 (counting the $250 I can get for the DSI)
Equipment - NexStar11GPS (2800mm/f10), Apple iBook 933MHz, Equinox
Targets - galaxies, nebulae, clusters

Thanks,

Shawn Filbey

Phew! Read the whole thread - some weren't easy
I don't really fall into any of the discussed categories, I'm an agnostic.
Quite a few will read that as atheist, a few others will call it scared to take a stance (preemptive rebuttals are fun). I think religions are fine, it's the 'organized' part that gives me problems. Teachings of the historical religions' founders are almost exclusively positive, IMHO. The problem is, they are taught by man, and men's interpretations of 'what they really meant'.
There was a line here somewhere about a passage of the bible being metaphorical, yet many insist that the bible is exclusively literal - it all happened just like at says. The universe in 7 days, even though there was no light, hence no 'days' for the first few.

My point is: it's not the religious teachings that are bad, it's the way many in positions of religious power bastardize their own teachings to advance their personal agendas.

I like the status quo right now (as far as the separation of church and state goes). I'm not surprised that many don't. At least I don't get arrested for feeling different than the majority-elected grand pooh-bah. That's what I think the founding fathers had in mind - protect the minority from an oppressive majority.

Everyone have a great day,

Shawn Filbey

Hi,

I've been into astronomy for 2 years, and use a NexStar11GPS. My brother is finally going to live up to his part of the deal - buying a DSLR to be used for both conventional and astro- photography. The problem is - I don't know anything about DSLRs, or, really, anything about conventional photography. I'm willing to learn, though - especially if I don't have to dish out the $$$!

I currently use a DSI color camera for astro work, and am planning to use an ETX-90 and the DSI as an autoguider.
DSO's will be the primary targets.
I am currently Alt/Az, but will get a wedge in a few months.
Budget is $600-800. Used is an option - but only from Astromart

I think there is an internal IR filter issue for the dual-use, but am unclear as to what my options are. If I mod the camera to remove the internal filter,or buy a modded one used, are there available external filters to make it acceptable for terrestrial work?

I'm sure I've forgotten some key info - just let me know!

Thanks,

Shawn Filbey

I have been offered (gratis) 6 pieces of 1/4" stainless pipe 5 1/2 " OD, each 24 1/2" long. Nicely welded 6 bolt flange on each end. I'm trying to determine if it would be suitable for a pier for my NexStar11GPS. The diameter seems a bit small, but the price is right. I'll be buying a wedge soon, and spend 1/2 my time imaging.

Whaddaya think?

Thanks,
Shawn

I have a TV 2" 2x Powermate that got filled with water (aaarrrggghhh!!!) 8O
I dumped the water, left it open in a heated house for a couple of days thinking the low humidity would dry it out.
When I saw that the inside of the glass was fogged, I tried slowly heating with a hair dryer, and, predictably, it cleared.
When it came back to ambient, the fog returned. Should I keep repeating this, or do I need to take the assembly apart? I'm scared of mold forming.

Shawn