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Posts Made By: Ivan Ong

September 9, 2003 12:39 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Equipment you most regretted selling.....

Posted By Ivan Ong
I guess the awesome "disappointing telescope purchase" thread made me think of the other side of the coin:

The thing I most regret selling, even after 10 years has gone by, was my 1991 Celestron/Vixen 102F. An awesome scope and superb optics. Sure, it ain't a pedigree Tak (have one now) or an AP, but it was one fine light-weight performer at half the price. I remember the first thing I looked through the scope was at Saturn...I've had an 8" Ultima till then (Mr. Fuzzy), it was unforgetable. I was speechless. At that very moment, I became a life-long small refractor guy.

So what have you always regretted selling?




October 24, 2003 12:14 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Caldwell Objects? Do you do them?

Posted By Ivan Ong
Hi...how many of you are actually working through the Caldwell objects (at least those that you can see from your latitude)? Despite O'Meara's excellent book I find the list to be rather "pretentious" of the originator, especially when he gets to stick his name to objects already long discovered. Many objects like the Helix, Sculptor Galaxy and the Double Cluster are already known by their NGC numbers or other popular names. It's hard to get excited over C13, C23 etc. I do have to say that O'Meara's book is really well written and fun to read but something like the R.A.S.C.'s Finest NGC Objects list is more fun to work through.
Ivan

October 27, 2003 09:38 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Taking pic of Saturn thru an undriven Dob

Posted By Ivan Ong
Hi All,
I will soon have a 14" Dob but with no drive platform. So, is it reasonable to even think about taking an afocal pic of Saturn that way? Say I will try magnifications around 100-150X. Wonder what shutter speeds can be used to prevent motion effects? Is it a dumb idea?
Thanks, Ivan

October 31, 2003 01:41 AM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Finally found the Helix!

Posted By Ivan Ong
Took me 2 months but I finally found it...but had to trek up the mountains to see it properly. Here is a photo taken with my medium format camera (7min, f/4, Provia 400 E-6) that was riding piggy back on my OTA. I think visually this is how it appears to an 8" in dark skies.
Ivan

November 4, 2003 06:22 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

What makes a guidescope a guidescope?

Posted By Ivan Ong
Hi, I am looking at acquiring a guidescope as I intend to use my main OTA for astrophotography (planets, DSO). What do I typically have to consider in choosing a guidescope? I've seen several long f-length 3" types. Are these typically used?
Thanks in advance, Ivan

November 26, 2003 12:57 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Next best thing to an Apo!

Posted By Ivan Ong
I have no business affliation with this company nor its products, blah blah so on and so forth...

But I recently bought a pair of NEOS Navigator overshoes. These are insulated overshoes that slip over my hiking boots. Let me tell you all: what a big difference. I went out last friday night observing with my friend. By midnight the poor chap was hopping around with frozen feet (fellow was wearing two woollen socks with hiking boots) and I could have been on a Bermuda beach on a sunny day. Absolutely no feeling of cold and completely comfortable. This has got to be the next best thing to a 5" Apo (just kidding there, ha ha). Clear skies and stay warm! Ivan

November 29, 2003 02:43 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

The BLue Snowball NGC 7662

Posted By Ivan Ong
Hi there,
Can anyone tell me where can I find a photo of this PN? I was looking at it through my 4" refractor last night and using averted vision in my 5mm ortho I thought I could see a central hole just like M57 but I am not sure. Does this a ring kind of PN?
Thanks, Ivan

December 9, 2003 06:51 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Color in CCD

Posted By Ivan Ong
Hi I am new to CCD imaging and I have a question: I am wondering who determines or how is the "true" visual color of an object/image determined. Recently someone posted a very nice M33 CCD image and someone commented that it was a little "green deficient". To me it seems visual color is a function of many things, and may be more interpretative than fixed when it comes to DSO's. Another example is the number of excellent Saturn pictures on Astromart. They all vary in many gradations of color. Some of the pics have color intensities stronger than a Hubble image. Are CCD photographers sticklers for "true" color?
Thanks, Ivan








December 17, 2003 12:53 AM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

The amazing Southern constellations

Posted By Ivan Ong
This year I have journeyed to Singapore from the US and am getting to spend 3 weeks here. I've only managed to pack my Orion 7x50 Vistas and a tripod for observing. The last two early mornings have been amazing- it's literally discovering a whole new world. This is probably how ancient explorers feel when they come across new land. Although it is ridiculously light polluted here and it is always cloudy to some degree, just being able to follow the southern constellations with a star atlas has been an unbelievable treat. Finally I get to wander around the contellations from Dorado to Centaurus. The Omega globular is outrageously big. The Southern Cross is pristine. I can see the jewel box, and Alpha crux is an amazingly beautiful double. From Puppis to Carina lie an amazing selection of star clusters, all easy meat for a 7x50. Man, if I had a Tak 90 or an Orion 80mm ED or a Ranger, that would be so perfect. I would definitely recommend all who live up North to make a starry pilgrimege to the Southern hemisphere! Happy holidays to all! Ivan


January 14, 2004 12:48 PM Forum: Astro Binoculars

Canon IS binos

Posted By Ivan Ong
Hi All:
I am thinking about buying a pair of IS 15x50 binos because I like the hand-held aspect of these binos.
I have to wear eye glasses when observing because of astigmatism- anyoone with some thoughts/experience about this? IS the eye relief ok? I have thin-type eye glass lens. Also, overall impression-wise, do you like your pair?
Thanks, Ivan

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