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Posts Made By: Mike Alexander

March 5, 2006 02:40 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Galaxies

Posted By Mike Alexander
With a dark sky, will a Meade 8 inch LX 90 with UHTC, (Ultra High Transmission Coatings), be enough to see some details for some of the birghter galaxies? For example, will some of the brighter spirals look like spirals, some of the brighter ellipticals look like ellipses etc.? Meade claims that the UHTC coatings increase brightness by as much as 20%, making an 8 inch equivalent to a 9.6 inch. Thanks....Mike

March 10, 2006 08:58 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Max magnificationg for galaxy viewing

Posted By Mike Alexander
Trying to get a consensus of opinions here:
Based on your experiences, what is the optimum magnification you use for observing details in galaxies? Also, what magnification and AFOV do you find most useful for locating them?

Also trying to get a consensus of opinions on the EP type you find best for viewing galaxy details : orthoscopic, Plossl or what? Thanks........Mike

March 16, 2006 03:40 AM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

The brightest galaxies?

Posted By Mike Alexander
In the Northern Hemisphere, what are the three brightest spiral galaxies - exclude Andromeda - and what are the three brightest ellipticals? Thanks....Mike

March 17, 2006 01:20 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Fine focuser

Posted By Mike Alexander
Can anyone recommend a fine focuser for a Meade LX90 telescope? Thanks......Mike

March 24, 2006 07:16 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Planetary filters

Posted By Mike Alexander
Hi,

Trying to get a consensus of opinions on this one : do you find that planetary filters are helpful in enhancing details or not? If so, which ones for which planets?

Thanks.......Mike



April 2, 2006 04:23 PM Forum: Meade

Aligning the SmartFinder

Posted By Mike Alexander
Recently I purchased an LX90 with LNT and SmartFinder. The Autostar was not communicating with the LNT module so I had to remove the battery and clean both sides of it with a pencil eraser. When I reassembled the unit I found that the LNT module worked fine. However no matter which way I turn the two adjustment screws I can not center the red dot for the SmartFinder on the lense nor can I get it to align with a light - centered in the scope - about 200 yds away. The red dot is way over to the right of the center of the lense and the light the scope is pointing to. How can I get the red dot to align in the center of the lense and point at the light which is centered in the scope? The lense is pushed all the way into the holder - I heard it click into place as it should. Thanks....Mike

April 2, 2006 04:26 PM Forum: Meade

Do you find the LNT helpful or not?

Posted By Mike Alexander
Recently I purchased a used LX90 with LNT and the SmartFinder. In response to one of my forum posts, one individual claims that the LNT and SmartFinder are so inaccurate that he doesn't even use them - he says he manually sets the scope to level and north and uses a two star alignment. I would appreciate a consensus of opinions on this question: do you use the LNT and SmartFinder and do you find it accurate - yes or no? Thanks....Mike

August 4, 2006 10:24 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Termal equilibration vs Dew Prevention

Posted By Mike Alexander
I know that many recommend that you put your scope outside at least one hour before you use it to allow it to come to thermal equilibrium with the outside temperature, but, when you do, you run the risk of dew formation because everything is the same temp. I live in New England and this past week we had 3 nites where the transparency was above average, but, even witha flexible Astro-Zap dew shield on my scope, it seemed to get covered with dew in almost no time, as humidty was over 85%.
What is the answer to the dew problem?

Thanks.....Mike

August 12, 2006 02:45 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

What do I need for a limiting magnitude

Posted By Mike Alexander
I have an 8 inch LX90. Using the clear sky clock at cleardarksky.com, recently I have had several nights here where the transparency has been above average, but, in terms of darkness, the limiting magnitude has been between 4.0 and 5.0 at best.

As a result, my DSO observations have been poor. Even using either a sky glow filter or a UHC filter I haven't even been able to see M51 or the dumbeell nebula at all. M81 is very dim, and with M31 - if that's what I am seeing and not M32 - all I can see is the bright central core with very little elliptical extent.

My question is, with above average transparency, what is the minimum limiting magnitude I need to see eg M51, detail on M81 or extent on M31?

Thanks.......Mike

August 19, 2006 09:58 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

8 inch SCT vs 12 inch SCT for galaxies

Posted By Mike Alexander
I live on a dead end street in rural CT with no street lights around, so nights get pretty dark here.

I currently have an 8 inch LX90 with UHTC.

My passion, if you will, is for galaxies but I find that the 8 inch appears to be just too small to see anything but faint details in any of the galaxies.

Would a 12 inch LX90 with UHTC make much difference in seeing galaxy details vs the 8 inch? How much if any details on a reasonably dark night would I be able to see, for example, on M31, M51, M65, M66 and/or M81?

Thanks......Mike

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