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Posts Made By: jon yimin

October 15, 2005 08:16 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Mars problems

Posted By jon yimin
I'm wondering if I am doing something wrong. I have an Orion XT8 Dob (1200mm focal length). I have 25mm, 10mm, 6mm and 4mm eyepieces and a 3X Barlow. Last night I used every possible combo with the barlow and my eyepieces and the best I could see was a hazy orange-ish sphere. VERY hazy with no markings at all (just a gaussian surface). The sky was extremely clear but I fear I was having the problem because it was rather light outside due to the moon on the horizon and the general horrible light pollution around the area (Pittsburgh). I am planning on going somewhere remote, very far from the city (nice and dark) tonight and am wondering if what I have will suffice in viewing Mars. Thanks in advance!!!

October 17, 2005 06:05 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Lighted Telrad circles for SkyAtlas 2000

Posted By jon yimin
I recently made a red-light telrad circle overlay for my SkyAtlas 2000. Theory is just a need to see the book in the dark without the bulky cellophane transparency and a red flashlight. Does anyone think there is a market for such a tool? I need to develop a good way of making the circles absolutely perfect(this was a first attempt smile) but nonetheless it is a pretty good tool.

Clear Skies!!!

February 2, 2006 10:27 PM Forum: Star Parties

Anybody in State College, PA

Posted By jon yimin
Hello there Astromen and women,

I was wondering if there is anybody here that observes around the State College area of Pennsylvania. I am a student here at Penn State and there seems to be a lack of interest in "viewing" trips at the PSU Astronomy Club (i.e. driving out to a State Park or whatever). Anyways, if there are any people out there in the State College area who have any good sites or even own a good chunk of land (and there is tons of it) let me know. Observing on top of Route 26 at night at the truck stop can be potentially dangerous, haha.

Thanks,

Jon Yimin

EE PSU

February 2, 2006 10:40 PM Forum: Film Astrophotography - Imaging and Processing

Lens problems

Posted By jon yimin
I'm not entirely sure if this is the correct place to ask, but....

I just bought a used 75mm-200mm lens for my Canon A-1 and I noticed that when the lens is inclined greater than about 30 degrees, the slide starts to fall. I was wondering if there is a way to adjust the friction of this action or if I am just stuck with it. I've attached a photo of an over-exposure I took of the moon at 0mag with the 20 some year old camera. Not too bad for a camera thats older than me!!!


February 13, 2006 02:41 AM Forum: Film Astrophotography - Imaging and Processing

Very interested in adapter for telescope

Posted By jon yimin
Hello All,

I've been thinking about getting a t-adapter for my Orion XT8 Dob and my Canon A-1. Only problem is that I have no knowledge of what I need to make this whole thing work. I realize I need to buy a "t-ring" for my camera but what is next? Is there a camera adapter that allows for eyepiece usage too? I'll continue to look around but I thought I'd ask you guys here. Experience is always better than a webpage.

Thanks Guys,

Jon

March 13, 2006 09:02 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Need help on deciding which scope to buy!!

Posted By jon yimin
Again I find myself back at Astromart asking my fellow enthusiasts for some help. I currently own an Orion XT 8 Dob mount scope. As you all know its more of a brute force "map-lovers" scope. I love it. But needless to say I would like to have some type of GOTO scope to set up real quick for my friends or anyone else who comes observing so that I can show them around. I found a lot of GOTO scopes at Meade's Factory Outlet, http://stores.ebay.com/Meade-Factory-Outlet_W0QQsspagenameZL2QQtZkm . Could any of you maybe recommend which you think would be the best deal for money and quality. Much Appreciated.

Jon

April 25, 2006 05:16 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

I'm no expert, but...

Posted By jon yimin
I just had a nice night to view the moon from inside city limits up here at State College, PA (right outside my apartment, haha). I decided I needed some shots of the moon and I figured I'd do it in an unorthodox way. So, I slapped my 32mm EP into the Orion XT8, centered the moon and stuck the Fuji S3000 Digital up to the eyepiece in macro-mode and this is one of the shots I got. No Moon-Filter and just a little bit of time spent in Picasa.

May 1, 2006 06:33 AM Forum: Telescope Making

Plastic gears!!

Posted By jon yimin
Hey Guys (Gals?),

I am trying to mount some optical encoders on my XT8 that need a gearing ratio of 4:1 so I can get the resolution up to around 4000ticks/rev. I figured that the best way to do it was to get two polymer gears and mate them with some sort of bracket or whatnot. HOWEVER, I can not find plastic/polymer gears anywhere. I have been searching the internet the last day and a half looking for some. If anyone has any sites of interest or knows where I can find some, I'd really appreciate the help.

Thanks and Clear Skies!!

Jon

May 9, 2006 11:13 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Mounted Optical Encoders

Posted By jon yimin
Hellooo All!

I just finished mounting the optical encoders onto the XT8. Now all I have left is waiting for the components for the circuit board to show up and I should be ready to test the DSC's out. I'll keep you updated.

P.S. I got a LOT of help with ideas from:
http://cichlidworld.net/DSC4.htm


May 20, 2006 11:51 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Dave Ek DSC, First Try

Posted By jon yimin
Hey Guys!

I just finished up the Dave Ek's DSC a few days ago. I have plugged them into the computer here, w/o the telescope, and everything seems to be working fine. I am planning a night out tonight to try it out. I'll let everyone know how it works.

Thanks again for all the help in my previous threads!!

Jon

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