Posts Made By: Jason Glass

Hi All,

I've been following the Polydome threads, and I recall that one of you mentioned a Polydome Fish Tank that has a hemispherical shape. I can't seem to find any info on the Polydome or Polytank web pages about that particular item, and several web searches for similar products have been fruitless. Can one of you point me in the right direction?

I am intrigued by the possibility of fabricating an observatory out of one, using hot air welding techniques to rig up a slot with a weathertight HDPE door that slides in channels along the slot's edges. I'd like to find out the nominal dimensions to determine if I could use a steel cattle feeder ring as the sidewall frame and rotational track. It would be simple to use HDPE sheet to panel the frame, while keeping the whole thing reasonably light and relocatable in component pieces. Do Y'all think this would be viable?

Best wishes,
Jason Glass

Hi All,

A friend sent me this link today. Unfortunately, the article doesn't indicate how the coating is applied.

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_747664.html?menu=news.scienceanddiscovery.amazingscience

Best wishes,
Jason Glass

Let me preface my comments below by heartily agreeing with the folks who have cited the Hubble Space Telescope as one of mankind's most important scientific instruments ever, and how the STS program is integral to its continued success. I'd also like to nod to those who correctly point out that the STS and ISS programs are already serving valuable purpose in the quest for interplanetary travel, which mass media seems to be crying for as the "new" focus of the space program. Now, on to the meat of the matter.

TO THOSE WHO WOULD RETIRE THE SPACE SHUTTLE FLEET

It really irritates me how fast the fingers start pointing when we suffer a national tragedy like Columbia. So many folks are attacking NASA management and engineering, while there is a considerable lack of funding, which is rationed by Congress and the White House. I believe that every single person within NASA who was responsible for the flight readiness of Columbia did everything within their power to maintain a safe ship. It's not their fault that it costs millions more than is available to do all the jobs that must be done, so they must prioritize each, as we all do in life. And, even then, no one can think of every possible future failure. Money to burn wouldn't make a gang of geniuses infallible.

I was not surprised to find out that the Clinton budget hid drastic cuts in the STS program by combining its bookkeeping with the ISS program. In former astronaut Jerry M. Linenger’s book "Off The Planet", he shows how the former Mir program was being used to filter US dollars into the Russian economy without labeling it "foreign aid" and inciting popular opposition. Now they use the ISS program. I don't oppose keeping the world's nuclear powers stable with US aid, but I have a problem with deception that uses my beloved space program dollars to line the pockets of Russian officials, who intercept this "payment" for Russian ISS hardware that never materializes. Maybe if the aid wasn’t such a secret, they'd have a harder time stealing it from the economic/industrial infrastructure that it is intended to rebuild.

That money could be better spent on proper maintenance of what I still consider to be mankind's finest machines, doing the work that our curious nature and national strength demand. Many people who want to mothball the STS fleet apparently have no clue that it does our bidding in space like no other machines in existence can. They don't realize that the next generation of reusable space vehicles has been in development for over twenty years and requires at least another ten to come to fruition as the safe, effective vehicle system that they are demanding right now. It's a typical American stereotype at its worst; to Hell with realistic expectations, we want instant gratification!

(continued...)

In an unprecedented announcement, NHL & Olympia Entertainment's official authority has announced the news at the link below. My prayers have been answered.

http://www.ramnation.com/images/infominister1.jpg

Let the octopi fly!

Best wishes,
Jason Glass

Hi All,

Can one of Y'all email me the 31Ee Build.zip? Here's why:

I've been trying to download the 31Ee Build.zip from Meade support since early yesterday, but IE6.0 keeps telling me that the page isn't available. When I use ASU to check the web for updates, I get a similar message. I've tried a few other links at the Meade site that are also dead. I can't find a mirror site, either. I tried the Europe page, but can't read German very well. The Meade International page link is also dead.

I've got a 497 that came loaded with 31Ee, and I'd like to use Dick Seymour's 31E4 patch, which I downloaded and unzipped to the ASU Ephemerides folder. Since the Ephemerides folder doesn't already contain any files named "Build.rom" or "Build31Ee.rom", I get a "No such file found" message when I run the patch app. The ROM doesn't appear in the folder when I use ASU to retreive and save the
Handbox contents, either.

Please help!

Best wishes,
Jason Glass
Glasstronomic(at)aol(dot)com

Hi Everyone,

I haven't corresponded with Mike in a long while, and when I've tried recently, his page.az.net address has bounced. If one of you kind folks would privately send me his recent address, I would greatly appreciate it. I need his help with another scope project.

Best always,
Jason Glass

Hi Herb & Astromart,

First of all, I'm sorry about the layoffs at ATWB. I've been on layoff since January and I feel your pain. Especially in my wallet.

My month of AM green support ended yesterday. Can I get an update on the mug situation? It's a petty thing, but I would really enjoy my morning brew from an Astromart mug.

Thanks & Best Wishes,
Jason Glass

Hi David,

Here's a rich resource for cell making:

http://users.telerama.com/~mdholm/atm/cells/index.html

Best wishes,
Jason Glass

Hi Pete,

Just about any type of optical encoder imaginable can be purchased directly from US Digital, who manufactures them. The prices are far more reasonable without the huge markup that the scope equipment suppliers tack on. Here is the link to their page showing the encoders that Lumicon sold.

http://www.usdigital.com/products/s1s2/body_index.shtml

Best wishes,
Jason Glass

Hi Pete,

See my response to your post, "Lumicon, Where Are You?"

Just about all the major brand mount encoders are manufactured by US Digital. There is a link to their page in my previous response, where you can buy directly from them and save a bit of money. Note that the encoder counts per revolution listed should be multiplied 4X to get the encoder resolution correct, due to quadrature. If you want 8000 count encoders, get their S2-2000. Their S2-2048 will yield 8192 resolution. The price is minimally more expensive than the lesser resolutions.

Best wishes,
Jason Glass