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Posts Made By: Steven Lynn

August 6, 2003 09:50 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Mars 'dedicated' filters

Posted By Steven Lynn
I see that Anacortes has 3 Mars specialty filters, one form Sirius and 2 different from Televue. These are supposedly better for Mars than the usual filters. Has anyone tried any of these? Impressions?

August 27, 2003 08:35 AM Forum: Solar System Observing

Seeing vs looking

Posted By Steven Lynn
I just spent another few hours observing Mars and got philosophical. (Uh-oh). Anyway, I was trying out my new Sirius Optics Mars filter and something came into focus. Besides Mars. What came into focus was the realization that 'seeing' is different than 'looking.' To explain, by seeing, I mean there is an active mental participation by the 'see-er', while looking is more passive, more merely a physical act.

When I was learning to interpret x-rays a lecturer I went to summoned up one obscure view (he used slides of x-rays) by saying, "Sometimes you need to hallucinate a little bit to see it." Sounds funny or silly, but if you have an idea of what you think you should be seeing and mentally compare it, imagination wise, with what you are looking at it helps you to see it.

Anyway, the detail on Mars is currently pretty faint with my C8, but if I "see" in an active fashion, and hallucinate, imagine, or whatever, then it helps me recognize a little more detail that becomes apparent for an brief moment, then fades.

September 4, 2003 08:34 PM Forum: Astro Binoculars

Celestron 6.5 x 44 ED manual?

Posted By Steven Lynn
Does anyone out there have a manual for these--or know for sure if there was one? If you have one I'd like to get a copy (if there's anything in there worth having;-)
Thanks, Steven

September 26, 2003 07:57 AM Forum: Astro Binoculars

15 x 70 Orion vs Oberwerk /Barska?

Posted By Steven Lynn
One of my friends has the Orion Little Giants II. I was wondering if anyone had done a comparison with these and the Oberwerk's. I gather the Oberwerks are the same as the Barska and Burgess. I immediately loved the Orions, and I wonder what you get for your extra $125.

October 28, 2003 06:58 AM Forum: Solar System Observing

Sun and odd filter choce--Baader moon...

Posted By Steven Lynn
Yesterday I had a C8 with a Thousand Oaks solar filer out. Don't let this event get by. Seeing limited magnification to about 100. Between swapping eyepieces I spotted my Baader moon and skyglow filter in my eyepiece case and thought-why not? It worked to great effect. It did change the color to mild purpulish but also greatly increased visibilty of detail.

November 21, 2003 04:54 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Landlord installed 6 banks of flood lights..

Posted By Steven Lynn
My dark skies behind my cottage are gone as of a week ago. My landlord installed 6 banks that I can see on the property of floodlights. Total overkill. You can read a book at 50 feet. My landlord is a big company.

The manager, told me the landlord's insurance company required it. ARRRRRRRGH!

Anyway, these are a combo that go on at night with motion sensors that turn on more lights. Other than BB guns, has anyone had any success fooling the sensors with lasers, flashlights, glow in the dark sticks, whatever.

Steven

March 25, 2004 05:51 AM Forum: TeleVue

Panoramic mount a little loose

Posted By Steven Lynn
Hi all,
My Panoramic mount is a little loose in spots. The cradle section the scope bolts onto is a little loose. Am I correct that just a little tightening (3 tiny allen head screws on each side) is all it needs?

Also, the center post has a little slop. Above it is a thicker ring or disc the post attatches to. This disc has two deeply recessed tiny allen head screws. Should I tighten those down? (judiciously)
Thanks,
Steven

May 28, 2004 11:44 PM Forum: Astro Binoculars

Ball heads anyone?

Posted By Steven Lynn
That b-a-l-l heads. Not bald--yet! On to this issue: I recently acquired a pair of 70mm and a pair of 80mm binoculars, and have have been lurking around here and elsewhere for recommendations on tripods and heads to put them on. I haven't seen anyone recommend, or even comment on, ball heads for astro use. I've almost settled on a Bogen 501, but I do see some minor bargains in used equipment.

Anyone out there have any nay or yay on ball heads, either in general or specific ones?

June 27, 2004 06:55 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Mystery scope?

Posted By Steven Lynn
Warning: Don't read if you are grouchy or curmudgeonly!

It's currently on the other side of the 'bay (nudge-nudge-wink-wink) for $500. I've never seen one like this. Who made it? Anyone know if it's worth that much?
Thanks, Steve

July 5, 2004 12:39 AM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

Cataracts

Posted By Steven Lynn
cwy I just had a needed eye exam as I needed new lens in my glasses. I was told I have beginning cataracts. I'm 53, and a few years ago I started noticing that the lower right quadrant of my right eye often seems like I need to clean my glasses, but they are clean. My father had cataract surgery in both eyes in early 70's.

I would like to hear anyone's informed, experienced, or even uninformed comments (identify them as such) on how this will affect astronomical viewing for me. Currently it doesn't seem to.
Thank you,
Steven

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