Posts Made By: Sarah Graves

Ok, let me first start off by apologizing if someone has posted this before, I scrolled through, and didn't see anyone asking my question, so here goes:

Basically, I'm interested in buying this telescope (http://store.yahoo.com/hardin-optical/dsh6.html ) because it appears it's a completely adequate telescope, and really maybe more than adequate for a beginner. I also like the price of the telescope, and from what I understand Hardin-Optics is a very good company. What concerns me is, it doesn't have any kind of 'go to' computerized feature, and with being a new user, I'm concerned that this will frustrate me because I won't be able to "see anything cool." The last thing I want is for something to acquire "gadget" status and end up being sold at a garage sale in the future. So far, I very much enjoy what I'm going to call amateur astronomy (going to star paries, and looking at really cool stuff @ slooh.com), and am really excited about making a purchase on a telescope I can use at home.

Hope this makes sense. Thanks so much for any input you might have for me, in advance.

Basically, I'm interested in buying this telescope (http://store.yahoo.com/hardin-optical/dsh6.html ) because it appears it's a completely adequate telescope, and really maybe more than adequate for a beginner. I also like the price of the telescope, and from what I understand Hardin-Optics is a very good company. What concerns me is, it doesn't have any kind of 'go to' computerized feature, and with being a new user, I'm concerned that this will frustrate me because I won't be able to "see anything cool." The last thing I want is for something to acquire "gadget" status and end up being sold at a garage sale in the future. So far, I very much enjoy what I'm going to call amateur astronomy (going to star paries, and looking at really cool stuff @ slooh.com), and am really excited about making a purchase on a telescope I can use at home.

Hope this makes sense. Thanks so much for any input you might have for me, in advance.

I was just wondering if anyone's tried out SLOOH.com, and what they thought? I presently use SLOOH because it's great to have someone else in control of the telescope pointing it to the wonders space has to offer, PLUS, I get to view around 2:40pm PST. I've found it to be pretty cool, but then again, I am an amateur. Less than amateur, really. (Not to mention immature.)

I feel like all I ever do here is confirm my ignorance to you all, but here goes:

I know there's heavens-above.com, and I thought that had some kind of stargazing forecast on it, but hell if I can find it. Is there somewhere I can look up to find out if there will be cloud coverage in my area? I'm not finding anything. I can get anyone to tell me what the weather is like during the day (I can also look out the window), but I've noticed sometimes if it's cloudy during the day, the night can be totally clear - and the opposite has occurred as well.

Any help and direction would be appreciated!

Besitos!

Alright, as I get closer to paying for the 8" Deep Space Hunter, I'm starting to reconsider the size I will need to keep me happier for longer. And as all of the astronomy folks keep saying "size does matter."

The 8" scope has a focal length of 1200mm with an aperture of 204mm (I think that's what the guy said), and the 10" has a focal length of 1250 (I have no idea what the aperture is, and how does one figure that out anyway?). My question is, is that much of a difference?? Am I going to see more stuff with only 2" of mirror difference? The cost is a hundred dollars more for those 2". Ugh. I feel very anxious about this. Any help would be appreciated.

I know this is going to sound like I was dropped on my head. But I had NO idea how frickin' bright the moon is!! Good grief. I looked at it just through bincoulars, and as Kramer (Seinfeld) would say "That looked like milk to me! Jerry, my rods and cones are all screwed up!"

Can I still use it? It's at the base of the scope.

I'm awfully sad I didn't notice this earlier (read as: crying). I put the whole thing together, went to use the restroom and noticed the dent on my way back. I JUST got this..as in 10:30am.

Anyway, here's a pic.

I'm taking an Astronomy class which starts on the 27th of September. Since I'm terrible at Math, and frankly got anxious..I cracked my Astronomy book only to find math problems. Who would have thought? Anyway, I am asking you all for help.

In the chapter discussion of "Observational Measurements Using Angles" we are told and given the following formula: "

In general, the physical diameter of an object can be calculated from the equation:

physical diameter=distance x tan (angular diameter)

where tan (angular diameter) means the tangent of the angle denoted "angular diameter" In the Moon's case, using a measured distance of 384,400km and an angular diameter of 1/2¡ (<--degree), we find the diameter to be roughly 3350km.

Now...I realise for other people, they might know what the heck this means, but I for the life of me CANNOT replicate that answer. I typed in 384400 x tan (just pressing the tan key!), I've typed in 384400 x tan(180)...basically, what is tan? And what is the number for it, or how do I find it? I'm feeling VERY down on myself about this.

Please, any help would be appreciated!!

This morning I was up @ 4:30 having a gander at Venus. I looked into the south east skies and saw a blue (what I'm just going to call) star. It appeared to be flashing. I turned the scope on it, figuring I wouldn't be able to see anything. I had the 9mm plossl, and figured whatever it was would be moving quickly. I found it, and saw that on top of the flashy blue color, there was a red blink (for lack of a better term) to it. It didn't seem to be moving, as when I was watching Venus, I'd have to move the scope every...oh..5-10 seconds to center it again.

Anyone have any idea what I saw?

I have been using my 10" Hardin DSH for about a month now, and took it out just now to spot Saturn. I couldn't see anything that resembled Saturn. Seriously. I'm using the 9mm plossl. Do I need one of those 2x Barlow lenses to bring it closer to me?

And Oh My God. Scope's were not built for women. I seriously think they should come with right angle view finder's.