Posts Made By: Dave Mitsky

A report from a friend who used the 14mm Explore Scientific eyepiece at the Winter Star Party is posted at http://www.chesmontastro.org/?q=node/4320

Dave Mitsky

Has anyone had a problem with the lens coming loose and falling out? This has happened with two of my Telrads.

Dave Mitsky

If you don't get a response here, you may want to join the Meade 4M group at http://www.meade4m.com/join/index.html

Dave Mitsky

Not long after watching the trailer I picked up the May issue of Sky & Telescope. Lo and behold there was a favorable review of the program on page 40. How about that!

Dave Mitsky

There's a picture of the new 14mm Explore Scientific 100 degree AFOV eyepiece at http://www.skiesunlimited.net/PDF/14mm_splashdown.pdf

Dave Mitsky

Robot Monster

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robot_Monster

Dave Mitsky

Every Sci Fi Channel production that's been televised on Saturday night.

I saw 400 Years of the Telescope not long ago on the local PBS station. Here are my thoughts on the program.

Overall, I thought 400 Years of the Telescope was very, very good, one of the best astronomy programs that I've seen on television. It was well-narrated by Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, had excellent digital photography (I wish that WITF broadcast in better high def than 720p HD), and explained the development of the optical telescope since its invention in a logical and easily understandable manner.

My only criticisms, and they are minor, are that other forms of telescopy (infrared, ultraviolet, x-ray, and gamma-ray) either went unmentioned or were given short schrift (there was a brief segment on radio telescopy near the end of the program), that many important historical discoveries were not discussed at all, and that there was no mention of amateur astronomy and discoveries made by amateurs. It would be hard to fit all of that in a 55-minute long program but I think a few minutes would have been enough to at least make a start.

In short, the program was very much about the technology of the optical telescope, which it covered extremely well, with a strong emphasis on current day work and a look towards the future of professional astronomy.

Dave Mitsky

It looks like you got it.

I'm no expert on processing but I took a crack at enhancing your shot.

Dave Mitsky

A very fine image indeed!

Dave Mitsky