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Posts Made By: Joe Bruessow

February 3, 2005 03:17 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Inexpensive scopes with upgraded optics?

Posted By Joe Bruessow
Your opinions please... I am looking at getting a nice planetary scope for the planetary observing season that has just begun... I'm looking at something in the 8" to 12" range.

I see that DBA Astronomy Products is offering Hardin Optical Deep Space Hunter dobs with upgraded optics from the likes of Steve Swayze and Woden Optics. He is calling them "DBA Enhanced" scopes. Seems like these scopes would scream on planets and deep space...

Prices start at $999 for a 10" and roughly $1499 for a 12". Does this sound like a good deal? It seems like a very nice price for what is really a very respectable scope... am I missing something? Yes I know is has a melamine/ particle board base... but I do like the looks of the metal tubes on these scopes.

Should I get one or do you have another direction I should look in this size class?


April 9, 2005 07:30 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Help! Mount/ Guiding Problem

Posted By Joe Bruessow
I am having a declination drive problem on my MI 250 mount.

The declination backlash in the drive is minimal… and what little I
have seems to be well compensated for with a TVC (Gemini Goto term for dec. backlash compensation) setting of about 10.

But… there is something I have observed… When I reverse declination
direction there is a visible shift in R.A. that occurs before the drive
begins reversing the declination direction. I know this should not occur… any ideas of common culprits of this problem? This is all at approximately 400x... and I estimate the shift somewhere between 5 and 10 arc seconds.

April 26, 2005 02:39 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

C8 ota vs. MN61

Posted By Joe Bruessow
Okay imaging pros... The venerable MN61 ota vs. the classic C8 SCT ota. I am about to have both ota's and really don't need both. I know which one I would pick... but how about you? Will you change my mind?

Which gives better imaging results in general, or are they pretty close in performance? Mak-newt has a nice flat field and small central obstruction, but is heavy and long. The C8 is more compact, much lighter, can be focal reduced... but has a large central obstruction... and field is not all that well corrected.

Can a Mak-newt be focal reduced to say f/4?


Thanks ahead of time... Joe smile

June 15, 2005 02:58 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Re: A not so boring side...

Posted By Joe Bruessow
My gosh... awesome pic! smile

June 15, 2005 06:51 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Secondary size for a 12" f/ 4.7

Posted By Joe Bruessow
Hey Guys... your thoughts. I am having a custom 12" f/ 4.7 primary made for me and need to order a secondary mirror. My gut says go with a 2.14" (18% obstruction) for ever so slightly better contrast, but have considered 2.6" (22% obstruction).

My only concern with the smaller secondary is possible vignetting that I might detect with my 41 panoptic... although I doubt it would be noticeable.

Thanks for your insights ahead of time...

June 20, 2005 10:29 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Re: A Stormy Jupiter

Posted By Joe Bruessow
The Best Ever grin

July 3, 2005 10:37 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Meade f/ 6.3 SCT's

Posted By Joe Bruessow
How flat is the field in 10" Meade f/ 6.3 SCT's for medium-sized CCD imaging( ST2000XM, ST8, ST10)? Anybody out there with first-hand experience?

How well do these ota's perform when coupled with a .63 reducer resulting in f/4?

Thanks smile

August 2, 2005 04:48 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Deer Lick Group

Posted By Joe Bruessow
Finally got some tracking issues resolved smile Here is a shot of NGC 7331. Original ST2000XM, 12" Meade SCT OTA, at f/ 6.3

150 min. Luminance 2x2 (5 x 30 min)
Colors from last year.

Needs some work but it is a good start. Heading out on family vacation so I may not reply to responses for a while...

August 11, 2005 12:47 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

CFW8 to Autoguider Port Question...

Posted By Joe Bruessow
I have been using the dual serial connector to hook up both my CFW8
and autoguider cable to my ST2000XM for a year or so now. Well, the
dual serial (ribbon) cable is shot (wire is broken)...

I saw that the CFW8 connector that plugs into the 9-pin connection on
the camera also has an available 6 pin phone-jack. The CFW8 manual
implies that this can have a 6-conductor phone cable put between it
and the autoguider port on my mount (Gemini autoguider port). I tried
this and there is no response.

I tried this with two versions of 6-conductor cables as well... one
straight through and one with the wires reversed at each end. Am I
doing something wrong here?

Thanks...


August 19, 2005 07:32 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Opinions on longer focal length astrograph

Posted By Joe Bruessow
I am looking for a longer focal length astrograph (galaxy imaging)... say 1500 to 2000mm. I have 8" and 12" scts... perhaps this is the best bet but I am wondering if there is something else out there in the $1500 to $3000 range that would give tighter stars? Anyone ever tried adding cooling fans to an SCT and get better results?

I'd be using this with the ST2000XM imager.

I have heard mixed reviews on the Vixen 8" VCL scopes (anybody with personal experience there?)...

Any personal experiences are welcomed.

Thanks,

Joe

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