Posts Made By: Walter Locke

July 11, 2004 10:56 PM Forum: DVDs and Music and Books That You Recommend

Your favorite cheezy movies?

Posted By Walter Locke

...and The Coneheads w/ Dan Aykroyd and Jane Curtain.

July 14, 2004 03:48 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

vehicle for dob

Posted By Walter Locke

Duane,

I have three refractors and two mounts which I transport occasionally. For this purpose I use a Toyota Sienna minivan with the two rear sets of seats removed. While The Sienna is functional, very reliable, and reasonably priced, it lacks panache. I am trying to talk my wife into a Questar and a Porche, which seems to me a nice match, but that is another subject for another time. I think a minivan is an economical and practical choice.

Walter

July 14, 2004 05:30 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Rats! Drat! I am a moron!

Posted By Walter Locke

Tom,

I feel your pain. It, or something similar, has happened to all of us. Just don't let your mind get so wrapped up in the flaw that it won't allow you enjoy your fine scope!

Walter

July 14, 2004 06:24 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

July 19, 2004 07:35 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

New lunar DVD!

Posted By Walter Locke

Hi Ron,

I ordered the DVD of the Digital Lunar Orbiter Photographic Atlas of the Moon, the best plates taken by the Lunar Orbiter at medium to low sun angles showing off the morphology of the lunar surface. I also picked up a two CD set of the Consolidated Lunar Atlas, a rare collection of excellent lunar photographs. Both atlases together cost exactly $27.00, including shipping, an unbelievable deal! They're available from the Lunar and Planetary Institute.

Walter

July 27, 2004 06:47 PM Forum: Astro Binoculars

Nikon 12 x 50 SE

Posted By Walter Locke

Hello John,

I own a pair of these fine binos and they're excellent both optically and mechanically. They are also light enough to hand hold, although bracing your arms on a lawn chair makes it easier. The one thing you should know about these glasses is that they have an inexplicable lack of a threaded socket for use with a mount or tripod. I believe you can get a tripod adapter at an extra charge, but as I use the Nikons for hand held observing, I'm not familiar with the adapter. If you have a Universal Astronomics Unimount, Larry can provide you with a mounting solution that should be satisfactory.

Walter

August 4, 2004 02:33 AM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

Where to get Moon Map CD's

Posted By Walter Locke

Try this:

http://search.netscape.com/ns/boomframe.jsp?query=lunar+and+planetary+institute&page=1&offset=0&result_url=redir%3Fsrc%3Dwebsearch%26requestId%3D14fd0405da263024%26clickedItemRank%3D1%26userQuery%3Dlunar%2Band%2Bplanetary%2Binstitute%26clickedItemURN%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.lpi.usra.edu%252F%26invocationType%3D-%26fromPage%3DMyNS%26amp%3BampTest%3D1&remove_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lpi.usra.edu%2F

Go to resources, publications and products, then ordering info.

Walter

August 9, 2004 01:56 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Masuyama-Type EP Background

Posted By Walter Locke

This was sent to me by someone in Japan who dabbles in astronomy. His syntax is slightly off, but the message is clear.

Walter

>Walter,
>
>I wonder if you already know the following things, but I send this
>mail.
>
>Masuyama1.jpg is from ATM ad in Temmon Guide August 1986 issue.
>------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>--------
>Masuyama-type ATM Eyepieces, Wide25mm and Wide32mm, Now on Sale
>
>The Masuyama eyepieces released through ATM are completely newly-designed
>and made from high refractive index element(s). So, their radius of
>curvature
>is long, they have long eye-relieves and give sharp imaging all over
>the field
>of view. The size is 36.4mm threads or 1 1/4".
>
>What is the Masuyama?
>Now-dead Kazuharu Masuyama worked in Nippon Kohgaku (Nikon) and
>designed a lot of Binoculars there. Then, he set up Oh-i Kohki in 1951.
>Oh-i Kohki has been designed telescope eyepieces too for the past 20
>years.
>Oh-i Kohki is a groundbreaker as an upmarket eyepiece designer and
>manufacturer.The design of the eyepieces is uncomplicated, but therefore
>it is difficult to design new one. ATM provides the Masuyama eyepieces
>made by
>Mr. Masuyama as new generation eyepieces.
>
>(Oh-i Kohki President Ichiro Masuyama, Designer Shinji Masuyama)
>
>Who do you think designed the Masuyama eyepieces ?
>I don't know, because this ad don't say Kazuharu Masuyama
>designed the Masuyama eyepieces but just says "telescope eyepieces"
>and the Masuyama eyepieces made by "Mr." Masuyama. (not "Kazuharu"
>Masuyama.)
>
>I wonder if this ad intentionally don't say who designed the Masuyama.
>(For example, The Masuyama eyepieces was designed by Shinji Masuyama
>who was the optical designer in Oh-i Kohki at that time. But he is not
>famous. And Kazuharu Masuyama who was the former designer in Oh-i Kohki
>was a famous optical designer. So ATM used his name for sales. )
>
>Anyway, what I understand from this ad is the Masuyama eyepieces were
>manufacutured by Oh-i Kohki and designed by Mr. Masuyama.
>
>By the way, masuyama2.jpg and masuyama3.jpg are from an article in Temmon
>Guide November 1987 issue.
>
>Best wishes,

August 21, 2004 01:48 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Just got my scope put together and noticed a dent

Posted By Walter Locke

Poor Sarah! I agree with the general sentiments of the group...ask for a replacement. Much of the fun of stargazing is knowing you own a nice telescope. A dent in a brand-new scope is enough to make the experience...well, less than fun. If what I have been led to understand about Hardin is true, they will replace the tube assembly. I know it's disappointing, but it will be worth the wait, and you will have a nice, new scope with which to enjoy the stars. I'm sorry for the disappointment, but chin up and try to look forward to the new and improved telescope! It will be bizzity-shizzle!

Sympathetically,

Walter


August 30, 2004 04:57 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Things you'd like to see....

Posted By Walter Locke

Accurate claims for the weight loads of mounts.