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Posts Made By: Bob Chester

October 25, 2008 02:13 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Parks polar finder help

Posted By Bob Chester

David,

Download the Polar finder program from this page. It should help.

http://www.onealwebsite.com/AstroPage/software.htm

Polaris goes in one of those segments. The program determines which.

Bob

November 12, 2008 02:02 AM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

invention???

Posted By Bob Chester

Robert,
They ain't cheap but here are a few, 2 by Tak. and 1 by Geoptik (apm). I was never fond of the 6 point system either so I ended up buying a used, no longer available Mizar alt-az guiding mount.
Bob


http://www.tetontelescope.com/product_info.php?cPath=47_14_88&products_id=395

http://www.buytelescopes.com/product.asp?t=19&pid=1587&m=35

http://www.buytelescopes.com/product.asp?t=19&pid=1585&m=35

July 15, 2009 05:10 AM Forum: Celestron

replacement battery for celestron finder

Posted By Bob Chester

Newer versions use 2 LR44 (energizer A76) batteries. They can be found most anywhere.
Yours looks more like my older version that takes a harder to find A14PX that can be found here:

http://www.batterymart.com/p-exell-a14px-3v-alkaline-battery.html

or here

http://www.batterybank.net/digital/photo/photoindex.html

Bob

edited 8/14/2011 to replace dead link

July 30, 2009 07:14 AM Forum: SCI-FI

Warehouse 13

Posted By Bob Chester

I'm watching it. Kinda basic formula (he/she detective) with a sci-fi twist. With it placed before and after wrestlin' they appear to be trying to attract some mainstream folks and it's the type of show that should do just that. Surely not cutting edge sci-fi but it is a fun show to watch.
I think it's better than Sanctuary, but not as good as Eureka.

Bob

December 10, 2009 07:58 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

NGC 660

Posted By Bob Chester

Simply stunning!!!

January 3, 2010 06:06 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Viking Eyes Mars

Posted By Bob Chester

Very cool, thanks for putting in the effort.

Bob

September 28, 2010 10:33 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Tuthill Polar Finderscope

Posted By Bob Chester

Michael,
I may be totally wrong but I don't think the time and date change. Yes, there is a bit of drift over the years and standard polar alignment scopes mark this on the reticule for the next 25 or so years, but I believe the time and date remain constant. You should, I think, be able to use the laminated page and be very close. Providing no one loosened the set screws and altered the 'misalignment' of the rifle scope.
In any case, after doing the calculations using the Tuthill formula you can detect any gross errors using this handy app..

http://myastroimages.com/Polar_FinderScope_by_Jason_Dale/

Since the Tuthill uses a rifle scope and gives a correct image you may have to unclick the 'view though a telescope' box.

Bob

October 13, 2010 10:09 AM Forum: Mounts

Astro Tech Voyager Alt tension adjust

Posted By Bob Chester

Steve,
I have one and found that the 'tension adjust knobs' don't really preform very well as 'tension adjust knobs'. They appear to act as on and off knobs. Once you feel no contact, further loosening has no effect. There is no need to loosen them until they nearly fall out. For me there is no 'set and forget' position, it's loosen to slew, tighten for slo-mo. I use mine with my FS-78 and I have to securely tighten the screws to get enough clutch action for the slo-mo to work. A much lighter scope may behave differently.
I gather from your post that you feel that slewing is too stiff and you would like a lighter touch. There is a way to loosen the slewing tension but it comes at a price, a bit of wobble between the two bearing surfaces. As a side note: even with stiff slewing, if the tension screw is loose, there is no extra stress put on the worm and gear during slewing.

If you would like to play with the tension, this is how to do it.

1. Loosen the 3 black set screws on the part the saddle is mounted on and remove that section. You don't need to remove the saddle. These 3 set screws correspond to the 3 on the polished ring for the azimuth bearing.

2. Loosen clutch and align the 2 holes in the back cut flange with the 2 set screws of the inner ring. Loosen these 2 set screws.

3.Using a spanner wrench or your finger nails turn the inner ring to adjust the tension. Caution, 1/4 turn makes a big difference.

4. Realign the holes with the set screws and tighten them.

5. Check for feel or wobble, repeat steps 2-4 until your happy.

With my mount, I have found that totally eliminating the wobble results in pretty stiff slewing. YMMV

Good luck,
Bob


May 18, 2012 11:47 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

T2 to T2 connection

Posted By Bob Chester

One of these?
Threaded all the way through with T2 female threads, to join 2 male threaded parts together.
They also sell one with male threads at both ends in case I misread your post.

http://agenaastro.com/blue-fireball-gender-changer-g-tf.html

Bob

January 31, 2014 12:26 PM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

North Korea has landed a man on the Sun

Posted By Bob Chester

I'm so proud of that brave 17 year old hero. Growing up in a country that suffers the oppression of western imperialists and achieving great tasks at such a young age is an inspiration to us all. I only hope my 7 year old grandson can aspire to such greatness. May 'what-his-name' be forever remembered along side Yuri Gagarin and Neil Armstrong.






I love it when media outlets get duped by satirists.

http://www.thejournal.ie/north-korea-sun-1283188-Jan2014/


Bob