Posts Made By: Terry Haimann

On page 21, article "Binocular Telescope snaps first image"

First sentence:

And the lucky galaxy is ... NGC 2770, a spiral star city some 102 light years away ... 8O

102 light years away would put it in our galaxy wouldn't it? I checked and found a reference on the Internet that places it 81 million light years away. It would help if the editors of Astronomy Magazine actually knew a little astronomy.

I have written a little toy application that calculates the Time/Date on Mars. It's written in Lazarus (Object Pascal,) which can be downloaded from http://www.lazarus.freepascal.org (If you are running Linux it should be in your repository.) It will have to be compiled, which requires installing Lazarus, loading the project and pressing the green arrow.

You can download my application from http://www.haimannonline.com/Astronomy/MartianTime.zip

There should be nothing destructive in either of these apps, I don't write viruses. Feedback is appreciated.

I have a Off Axis Guider that is designed to fit a k1000. Is there a converter that will allow me to use it with a Cannon DSLR? I bought something off Amazon that doesn't come close to working.

Thx, Terry

Is there somewhere in the midwest I can take my LX-90 to and get it repaired. One of the boards in the telescope is damaged and
I am not qualified to do the repair. I DO NOT want to ship it back to Meade.

I have a Rini 25mm Reticle and I don't remember what the field of view was. Does anybody remember. I can't find any references to it on the internet and the ep only says it is 25mm. Yes I know I can test it and determine what it's fov is by timing a star passing through it, but that won't get done today or probably even this week.

Thx in advance, Terry

1. There is a strict light restricted area for those who are staying all
night. I usually observe just above the exit valley, so that I can leave
without interfering with other observers.
2. Do Not play talk radio or music loud enough to be heard by other
observers. Yes I have seen this happen.
3. If a telescope owner doesn't want you to look through his scope he
will tell you. Almost everyone I have seen there is friendly and happy
to let you look through their scopes.
4. Mask your interior car light. I find I often have to get in the
truck cab.
5. Camping and observing is often a helter skelter with observers &
campers all over the observing field.
6. It often gets very hot during the day, so be prepared to head to
Valentine to find air conditioning. Try out a few of the locally owned
resturants and support the local economy. McDonald's or the library is
a good place to get Wifi, if you use the library give them a donation.
If you use McDonalds, buy something. Only one campground has
electricity, don't expect to get it. The only place you can get
reservations with electricity is the Resort, but in recent years they
haven't been that friendly to the Amateur Astronomers. This may have
changed since last I heard & I wasn't there last year.