Astromart

February 1, 2005 06:01 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Elliptical Secondary Holder

Hello all,

I'm looking for two elliptical secondary holders for a minor axis size of 36mm (about 1.4"). Seems to be an odd size nobody carries - I've looked everywhere. They're for two 7.1" Mak Newts I'm making.

Thanks,

Brian

March 25, 2005 04:10 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Rick Shaffer

Posted By Brian McFarland

Did anyone else here lose money to Rick trying to buy bearings he was selling last Nov? He has a couple hundred bucks of mine and won't return emails or phone calls. I managed to catch him on the phone earlier this week, and he said he'd "call me right back" as if he were in the middle of something. He never did, and still ignores my calls. If anybody else is having a similar experience, I'd like to hear about it (and what actions you took).

April 15, 2005 08:40 PM Forum: Digital SLR AstroPhotography

New Rebel XT

Posted By Brian McFarland

Does anyone know what the exact distance to the focal plane on this camera is? Also, is the Rebel XT body parfocal with any of Canon's film camera bodies?

Thanks!

Brian

February 1, 2007 06:41 PM Forum: Maksutovs

Mak Newt Question

Posted By Brian McFarland

Greetings A-Marters,

I have a question for you thermal experts out there: I'm finishing up a 7.1" F6 homemade Mak Newt (Russian optics), using a 9" OD rolled aluminum tube. The corrector cell end of the scope is not ventilated, but the primary mirror end is open to the air (no fan). Should I line the inside of the tube with anything like cork, flocking, etc.?

Thanks very much,

Brian

May 16, 2007 03:27 PM Forum: Maksutovs

Question for Roland

Posted By Brian McFarland

Hi Roland,

I finally finished building a 7.1" F6 MakNewt with Russian optics, and in the process of assembly, disassembly, adjusstments, etc, I managed to get fingerprints on the corrector. I gently cleaned it with a mixture of distilled water and alcohol (and a drop of Ivory). I rinsed with lots of distilled water, then alcohol. I was left with lots of spots and streaks. Further rinsing with alcohol, and even acetone didn't help - it just seemed to give ddifferent streak patterns. It looks clean when you look thru it, but when light reflects off the surface, it's really streaked (the streaks appear "bluish"). What's the secret to cleaning these?

Thanks!

Brian

September 4, 2009 04:51 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Video Camera Advice

Posted By Brian McFarland

Hello everyone,

I'm considering the purchase of an astronomical video camera for deep sky objects (galaxies, nebulae, etc.), and it seems the two most popular are the Mallincam and Stellacam. Any opinions out there as to which might be the better choice? Has anyone ever compared the two (looking for opinions regarding current models)? Not sure yet whether I want monochrome or color, though I'm leaning toward monochrome for the increased sensitivity.

Thanks!

Brian

May 19, 2010 07:26 PM Forum: Politics

Re: Michigan students asked to prove citizenship

Posted By Brian McFarland

Nothing ironic about it, it's a Secret Service requirement and has been for many many years. Nobody gets near the president without first undergoing a background check. This is standard procedure regardless of who holds the office.

Brian

May 16, 2011 10:28 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing