Posts Made By: robert black

I recently purchased a 2" lumicon deep sky filter.
I then screwed into my celestron 6.3 reducer/flattener. Now, I can't get it off.
I have tried 2 pair of waterpump pliers to no avail. Thankfully, I haven't marked them. I am afraid to put too much pressure on them in case I break the glass.
I sent lumicon an email to see if they had run into this problem before and apparently they have. They suggested something that looks like a small oil filter remover but I have no idea where to get this.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Not only how to get them apart, but how to prevent it from happening again. Many thanks, bob

I would like to purchase a high end used telescope but the prices seem so high.
Am I wrong or is the pricing that I'm seeing in line.
I have seen at least 3 ads in the refractors where they are asking a new price or very little under for a used scope.
Is there a reason that these used scopes would be worth what they cost new. One for sure is 25 years old.
I know everyone has the right to ask whatever they choose and I am OK with that. But am I missing something here? If a 20,000 dollar scope will be worth 21000 in ten years, then I might as well go out and buy one of them.(like I could!!!)ha ha
Thanks guys, bob

I recently moved my scope off the pier to take to a star party for the community to learn about astronomy. When I put it back on the pier it is out of collimation and I can't seem to get it back. The problem is no matter what screw I turn, I can't get the ring centred.
I have a 8" SCT LX90 w/bob's knobs. but my arms are not long enough to look into the eyepiece and turn the knobs at the same time.
I would sure appreciate any suggestions, thanks guys, bob

Hi to everyone, I am using a canon Xti with a 8" SCT. This camera does not have 'live focus'.
Would it be possible to somehow hook the camera to my laptop and focus it that way?
As always, I thankyou, bob

I'm wondering if anyone knows of a better way to move the guiding scope around to focus on a star for PHD rather than the 6 ring screws. If not, I think an invention would be in order.
When I try to image M31 it is really hard to get a bright enough star for PHD using the current way. Maybe I'm just way out in let field, bob

Having just spent 3 evenings trying to collimate my LX90 8" SCT I have decided to try a collimator. The question is what would be the best and easiest. I don't want to buy two or three to find the best one.
By the way, if it won't collimate, could there be another problem.
I met a person in my campground who has been in the hobby for years and he couldn't get it any better than myself.
I would appreciate any thoughts you might have on this subject, regards, bob

the secondary mirror on my 8" LX90 will move around within the hole of the supporting glass & of course has done so. Is the hole supposed to have some play in it? If the secondary has moved or turned, how can i realign it with the primary. There are just two marks on the edge of the secondary supporting glass -27- & +. there are no marks on the mirror to help align it. I believe Hutech has an instrument for doing this but it is a lot of money for a one time application. Sure would appreciate suggestions how to fix it, bob

Hello guys, This is my first crack at CCd imaging. I am hoping that some kind hearted soul might take pity on me and give me a little help.
I recently purchased a used Sbig ST 2000 XM with CFW8A & st 237 chip.
I have two software choices CCDSoft ver 5 or CCDops. Having spent considerable time reading both mainly because of 2 weeks rain, I think I like the ccd soft the best.

I am running a 152mm for imaging and have a SSAG if the CFW8A doesn`t work to good.
A megrez 80mm tracker all mounted on a losmandy G11.Also PHD

Question (one)My CFW8A filter has 5 filter capacity but the ccdsoft program only has controls for 4 colors LRGB. How would I be able to use my Ha filter

(Two)-When I start up to focus, which filter should I be using to set up focus image. also, which one to set up autoguiding. I`m wondering if I will be able to see a star to lock on to through he filter.
(Three)What ratio of green images to red to blue & luminance so color is balanced
(Four)When I type in the number of images for each color in CCDSoft, does it matter which order they are imaged in. Do I have to tell the program this info or does it just know..
(Five)I would rather take my darks all at once and then subtract them the same way. Is there way to do this

Final, I promise. My Sbig has a ST 237 chip added. It reads that it is an autoguider chip so, why is the heading for it under imager. Under what situation would I use ST237 rather than ST2000XM for imaging. Thankyou so mush and hope these very basic questions are not too boring for you, regards, bob

Hello Fellow AMarters
Just a note to make you aware of a scam that I happened to get caught up in.
I recently posted a wanted ad for a used mount.
I was contacted by email from a person wanting to know if I wanted
to buy his mount.
We made a deal of 2500 down and balance upon receiving it.
He sent me his amart feedback account and it looked great.
When he didn't send the mount I went into Amart to recheck and he wasn't there.
I don't know how he got my email nor how he got into a feed back account so be warned!!!!
His name Lasse Lindh
email [email protected]
Country Stockholm Sweden

This scam was totally my fault and I have nobody to blame but myself.
Sincerely, bob black

Hello to all, I am happy to report this message and end all speculation.
A fine gentleman from the Alsip police department went to see the person who I was reporting to you about.
The police officer went on his own time so anyone who has the time I would appreciate a letter to the Alsip police praising him.
The so called perpetrator when confronted by the officer stated that he was so busy that he had completely forgot to mail the pieces. How about that????
For those of you who are interested I will post back here if I receive the eyepieces.
Thankyou all for caring and especially Jim who really went out of his way to help. Sincerely, bob black