Image of the day

Captured by
Craig Bobchin

Coathanger CR 399

My Account

New to Astromart?

Register an account...

Need Help?

Posts Made By: Floyd Blue

July 27, 2006 04:41 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Re: My thoughts about go-to

Posted By Floyd Blue

Hi Greg,
Have you owned many Go-To scopes?

August 13, 2006 06:08 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Any one out enjoying the Meteors?

Posted By Floyd Blue

I too saw a very bight long tailed one before the Moon came out. It was from the back yard too!

October 5, 2006 04:18 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Beginners Mistakes Continued..

Posted By Floyd Blue

You must make certain that it is completely dry inside. If there are spider web type patterns, that can indicate the growth or mildew or mold. If that is true, then this must be removed or it will etch the coatings when the mildew grows. A pattern of dots or small circles would just be residue from the dew. I cannot tell you how to be sure without seeing it or disassembly.

November 2, 2006 01:28 AM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Cleaning Kits?

Posted By Floyd Blue

Usually Alcohol is the best for this, using alcohol that is 92% or more pure and no additives such as lanolin.
You must use clean wipes and use them for one pass only and throw it away and use a fresh one.
Do not rub, no pressure need be applied.

November 22, 2006 06:21 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Another observing chair question

Posted By Floyd Blue

I use this chair the most. It is a star dust chair with some modifications.

January 16, 2007 05:47 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

crosshair eyepiece

Posted By Floyd Blue

I have made them with human hair and wire. Human hair is where the name crosshairs came from, they used womens hair in WW2 to make the bomb sites.
I have used a crush washer of aluminum or a composite material that I found at the hardware store. They are used to seal plugs, like oil pans on cars and stuff. I would get one that just fit the inside of the barrel and then push it to the field stop or with some EPs, just unscrew the barrel, place the ring in and screw the barrel back on the body. With this type arrangement I selected a ring that was the same size as the barrel so it would fit an be held in place by the barrel.
Then I would print this picture and tape the ring to the reticle with the ring centered well. Next I would place a hair or wire at one side on a cross line and tape it, then stretch the hair across to the other side, align and tape it to the paper. Repeat this for the other hair and then using Superglue I would place a small amount where the hairs touched the ring. Let this dry, then cut the excess hair off and you have a perfect crosshair.

January 31, 2007 06:24 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

New (old) LX90LNT - my new scope ARRIVED!

Posted By Floyd Blue

The tape will hold just fine and it can be remove later without harming the paint. You can pull it loose or saw it loose with dental floss and then clean off any remaining with WD-40 and a clean cloth.
Setup look great, should be a lot of fun. grin

February 6, 2007 03:33 AM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

High magnification issue ??

Posted By Floyd Blue

Hi Brooks,
No worries, this is atmospheric disturbance and not your optics. Happens all the time. This is what people call moments of clarity.
smile

February 8, 2007 02:35 AM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Do you really need to level a DOB

Posted By Floyd Blue

Ed,
According to Sky Commander and Argo Navis, no. But I do anyway. I also think that you must level a GEM mount, it says to do it right in the manual, before a polar alignment is performed. Go figure. wink

February 23, 2007 01:10 AM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Where to Mount a Telrad on a 10” Dob

Posted By Floyd Blue

Here is where I mounted mine on the 10" XTI.