Posts Made By: Richard Ferrieri

I had the opportunity to pick up at auction a Zenit NV-100-1 Gen I image intensified scope for $75. My intent was to interface the image intensifer tube with my Connectix B/W Quickcam for better DSO imaging on my 8" F/6 Dob using 2-3 second exposures. However, I couldn't resist connecting the little scope (minus the objective lense) to a 38 mm Erfle (Rini eyepiece) I had in my collection for some visual comparison. I left the little scope eyepiece intact (4.3 x magnification) which yielded a net magnification with the Rini eyepiece of roughly x138 when plugged into my big scope. I compared M13 visually against my UO 16 mm konig coupled with a TV 2x barlow (x152). Comparisons were made from my backyard with considerable light pollution (not ideal). I was struck with the fact that the intensifier produced an extremely bright image of the cluster with individual stars resolved right to the core on immediate viewing. Without the intensifer, you really had to study the cluster awhile and use averted vision to see individual stars resolved. Will hopefully have some images to show you soon.

I just ordered a pair of Oberwerks 11 x 56 binoculars as a xmas present for my brother-in-law. He is just showing an interest in astronomy with his kids. I recently gave him my 4.5" reflector when I completed my 10" Dob. He uses it periodically, but I think a pair of hand-held binoculars would get him under the stars more. He is enthralled with my Pro Optics 11 x 70's but admitted they got a bit heavy after awhile. I personally prefer using these on a mount. Anyway, I've seen some good comments on the Oberwerks 15 x 70 binoculars and was wondering whether anyone has any comments on the 11 x 56. For the price, I was hard pressed to decide between the Visioner 12 x 60's and these. The Visioner's were slightly heavier coming in at 40 oz. The Oberwerks are about 34 oz. which is about my upper limit for comfortable hand held units.

OK Here is a question for the optics people. I am involved in a refractor project that requires a long focal length objective. I've come across a Jaegars 3.2" air spaced achromat objective that has a 48" focal length (f/15). The scope is primarily intended for planetary and double star viewing. However, the optics are not coated. I've read that older Jaegar optics are quality. Should I be concerned about the lack of coating? Light transmission is not an issue for the intended use. However, I worry about ghost images.

My first attempt at Jupiter on Saturday night-8:15 EST. Sketching was done on my homemade 8" F/6 scope at x168 and x250. No filters.

I just purchased a flip mirror to align my webcam and am now facing the challenge of extending the focal point back about 2.5 inches to accomocdate mirror box. i know there was an article in S&T back in October 2001 but for some reason I am missing that issue. The dog ate it!!! I have a rather nice pair of coated cemented achromates 34 mm x 165 mm fl that I would like to integrate as a 1:1 relay lens. I've already integrated a rather fast achromat plus negative achromat as a corrector lens for color aberation.
While this has provided the extended focal length I need, it also increases magnification x5. Not that I am complaining, the contrast of the magnified star images seems better in my TV 25 mm amplified 5X than in my UO 5 mm ortho eyepiece without the homemade barlow lens. I am sure this will benefit my planetary imaging. However, can anyone give me some advice as to how best to integrate the matched achromats for 1:1 relay. I suppose i can always order the archived issue of S&T, but I am sure someone out there has this issue or the informatin I need. thanks Rich

I recently completed a refractor project using a 83/500 RR achromat and have upgraded with a crayford focuser and 2" Televue diagonal. Stars appear as textbook airy disks with one sometimes two diffraction rings shown. On nights of steady seeing I have had this scope up to x200 magnification. There is a bit of false color at high magnification on bright objects so I thought I would add a WO minus violet filter. I installed this in front of the diagonal. Optical performance seems to have deteriorated. I lost the airy disk pattern--stars now show diffraction spikes. Further, I can no longer resolve zeta orionis 2.3" companion and need to use averted vision to see Rigel's companion. Both are easy targets for this scope without the filter. I've also tested an 1.25" Orion MV-1 filter attached to eyepieces and this doesn't seem to impede performance. So, does placing the filter in front of the diagonal cause problems I am unaware of?

Does anyone know anything about an Indonesian company called Sale Telescope? They are selling AT 72mm ED refractors for $229. Seems pretty unbelievable for a new scope. Rich

Captured this image of the ET cluster using my iOptron Skytracker coupled with an Olympus E-30 and Hexanon 200 mm f4 lens. Three, 4 min exposures were stacked using Deep Sky Stacker and processed in PE12. Star spikes were added for artistic rendering.

Captured this image of the Dumbell nebula using my iOptron Skytracker coupled with an Olympus E-30 and Hexanon 200 mm f4 lens. Added a Hoya red intensifier filter and a 55-to-36mm step down ring for 1-stop reduction in aperture. Image was created from four, 4 min exposures that were stacked using Deep Sky Stacker and processed in PE12. Star spikes were added for artistic rendering.

This open cluster is located in Cassiopeia. 4 x 4min exposures shot at iso 400, using iOptron Skytracker, Olympus E-30 dslr, Hexanon 200mm f4 lens wide open with 55-to-36 mm stop down ring and Hoya Red Intensifier filter. Images were stacked using Deep Sky Stacker and the final image was post processed using PE12, NeatImage, and StarSpikes software then cropped 100%. I like using the red intensifier filter - it cuts down considerably on light pollution and brings out more reds in some of the stars. May seem artificial to some, but I find it pleasing to the eye.