Posts Made By: Robert Brown

As a fellow amateur astronomer my heart goes out to you. I had an APM/TMB 80mm triplet also---same problem.
They have known about the problem for a long time.I
have heard their bigger APOs have pinched optics also.
Dont expect(but try) to get a new one thats better.With these guys
only one thing seems to count---$$$$$. The lens you sent back is probably in someones telescope right now.That
velcro might have been to attach a dew-zapper to warm
cell! Check your warranty. You are legally still in warranty if your warranty was valid when you sent first lens back.(no matter what they say.) I would send it back.

I have my 6" f/12 loaded in truck. I just double checked my tent
and all necessary gear----eyepieces, cameras, power supplies,
my EQ6 mount---and all the other stuff needed for 3 days of
observing at a dark site. Winter Skies are so nice---Orion, great transparency, when the sky is SO dark!---I love that kind of sky. But for me the cold can ruin things. I am trying to figure out the best possible technique for staying warm. One time in particular I was so cold I couldnt really use my telescope
and a friend told me "take your coat off and put it over your head". It really worked! I warmed up pretty good. Keeping my head warm made the rest of my body warm. I never forgot that trick! I am now wondering how many other "tricks & techniques" everyone might know that I dont? Probably a lot. For example is there a way to heat a tent safely? How about some kind of heater to
use around telescopes? How do you keep your feet warm?
Clothing,heaters,something to warm tent,etc. etc.. I know many of you know how to plan for cold and stay warm. Not me! I need help.
Thanks, Robert

In making a drawing how can I be sure I have the directions on Mars labeled correctly.

I know the type of telescope determines this. I have read about direct view,mirror reversed,and inverted views of Mars, but in observing I have found that this is not the whole story.

For example if I rotate the mirror diagonal(I'm using a refractor with a diagonal and GEM)"things" happen. Also,I have found the view changes depending on which side of the mount the tube is on.

I find myself saying "OK,if Syrtis Major points north" then "Hellas is a bit east of Syrtis Major",etc.I had some great views this morning, but I realized my biggest problem in identifying features is trying to decide what the orientation of Mars is in my field of view.

I know some of you are really good at explaining this sort of thing clearly.I would like to have some rules that will work no matter how the telescope,eyepiece,and mount are oriented.

Thanks in advance! Robert

Hi Michael,

I hope you get the scope back in perfect collimation. I'm sure you will. Art will probably see more cells with the black tape before long.

You may have posted before about eyepiece cleaning,but I wanted to know how you do it? I can never find a solvent that doesn't leave a residue.

A few years ago I set my scope up at a state? park just east of Fort Collins.
I noticed a large statue or painting of an Indian sitting on a horse. I thought it curious that the horse's mane and tail were at right angles to the ground. Later that night I understood after being forced into my car by 50mph winds.However, it was really dark.

Robert

I have seen the name MILO several times. I am a little uncertain, but Milo Mather was a famous amateur astronomer
He was associated with University of Iowa, but his name pops up other places--in his honor. AND he is usually refered to as MILO. Maybe a coincidence, but I dont think so. You may have a real treasure(maybe not). If I were you
I would guard this scope until history surfaces. I really
hope you have a rare telescope!! Thanks for sharing,Robert

I really got into the MILO refractor. I tried to do a little research. Did a search for "MILO telescopes".
I found a link for an astronomy club that described a
star party in which they observed M32 and MILO. Wow
now I am really getting interested because I have never
seen MILO or heard of it either.Actually I had a kinda
embarrassed feeling not knowing about MILO. I thought
it sounded like an Arabic designation so researched that a bit.Played that game a bit until I thought about Andromeda galaxy.Just like going home.Whoever typed club notes wrote MILO instead of M110. M32&M110---GO BROWSER!

I also love the wide field views. My choice is a pair of WWII German 10x80 flak binoculars.

I have them mounted on the original steel tripod & they give wonderful views. They were made primarily by the companies--Moeller, Leitz, & Busch.

My pair was made by Busch & with the giant prisms & big Erfle eyepieces they have a FOV of 7 degrees 32'. It really does almost take your breath away.

I bought mine in May of 2002 from Charlie Orzech of NC.(Hi Charlie). You can find them fairly easy for $700-$800 I think. I got mine on Astromart. Also, Texas Nautical Repair in Houston (Takahashi) has a reconditioning & repair service for them.

If you have ever looked through a pair of the big 10x80's you wont forget it!

I would really like to hear from others about their experiences using them for wide field viewing.

Carlos,

Thanks for sharing your beautiful Mars images.

Could you advise a beginner how to get started drawing Mars in hopes of immulating some of the technique you have mastered?

Specifically, are there texts, instructions, manuals to help instruct a beginner in learning necessary skills and knowledge.

Also, maybe a few tips on pitfalls to avoid.

I am sure any advise would be greatly appreciated by many.

Thanks,

Robert

Ron,

It's my cat Billy. I knew he would be famous someday. Yep.

Robert

I'm always getting mixed up about how Mars is oriented in the field of view, but shouldn't North be at the top when using a SCT with diagonal?