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Posts Made By: Tom Hole

March 28, 2004 01:12 AM Forum: Binoviewers

Triple T

Posted By Tom Hole
Was just out and had a look at Calisto transiting along with the GRS. Weird seeing tonight. There is some low altitude, high speed turbulent layer, but it doesn't seem to be affecting the detail I can see. Just seems to be putting a river effect on Jupiter.

Just waiting for a few clouds to clear. The big event is starting around 0100 and it looks like it will be clear here. Get out and have a look if you can.

As always, the binoviewers make the whole thing that much more enjoyable.

Clear skies,

Tom

March 28, 2004 03:10 AM Forum: Binoviewers

New Fashion Goggles

Posted By Tom Hole
I have been having trouble with the local porch lights lately causing reflections in my binoviewer ep's. I also made it worse by removing the eyecups from all my ep's so that they were more comfortable to use. I have tried the shroud thing a few times with ok results, but it's always a pain getting it over my head and it tends to trap the warm breath under there and fog things up.

So, I tried something different. I took my shop safety goggles and removed the plastic lens. Then I used black duct tape to cover the sides. That didn't work as well as I had hoped, so I wrapped some black stuff around them and formed a sort of tunnel. This seems to work great. My nose is outside the shroud (and mouth) so all my breath is kept outside and I haven't seen any fogging tendancies yet.

I used it for the first moon transit and it helped a lot. I was able to use the 13 Naglers T6's for 305x and was treated to a spectacular transit, especially as Calisto moved off the planets rim.

So, whadya think? Were the neighbor kids justified in their ridicule? I think so, but form follows function.

Clear skies,

TOm

March 28, 2004 06:18 AM Forum: Solar System Observing

What is that in the NEB right above Ganymede?

Posted By Tom Hole
I am watching Ganymede transit Jupiter right now and there is a recangular shaped thing that has a salmon color similar to the GRS just south (above) Ganymede. Definitely a barge I guess, but I have never seen one with a salmon color. This is at 0122 AM EST on 28 Mar. ANyone else see that?

Tom
Starmaster 11 EL
TV Binovues, 13mm Nagler T6's @ 294x

April 7, 2004 02:46 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

It ain't purty, but it works

Posted By Tom Hole
I mentioned this contraption on the binoviewer forum, and I thought it might be worth mentioning over here. I have a lot of porch lights on in my neighborhood and I get tired of holding my hands up to shield the ep's. I tried shrouds and hoods and such, but they were cumbersome and tended to promote fogging of the optics.

I was rooting through the garage and found these old plastic safety goggles. Took the plastic lens out, wrapped it in craft stuff (as shown) and oila, a very effective light shield. My nose is outside the shield, so fogging has not been an issue. I have tried this over several nights now and it works very well. My kids laugh at me and the neighbor's are scared to come outside, but I don't mind. With these on, I pick up about a magnitude of depth. I need to flock my UTA on the outside around the focuser as the light reflects off of that and into my shield. Only place it can get in now.

Anyway, just thought I'd share my silliness.

CLear skies,

Tom

April 8, 2004 12:51 AM Forum: Binoviewers

Do these count as binoviewers?

Posted By Tom Hole

April 10, 2004 02:45 AM Forum: Eyepieces

Will the real 18mm please stand up?

Posted By Tom Hole

April 12, 2004 10:52 PM Forum: Binoviewers

Anyone tried supermonos in binoviewers?

Posted By Tom Hole
Wanted to get one pair at 16mm for 239x in my Starmaster. One pair, just to check them out. Anyone compare them to type 6 Naglers?

Thanks,

Tom

April 16, 2004 04:00 AM Forum: Binoviewers

15mm Pans Update

Posted By Tom Hole
Short answer: they are light robbers. I compared them to my 13mm type 6 Naglers on Jupiter and Saturn and the 13T6's are discernably brighter. That ain't right. The higher mag should be dimmer. I attribute that to the excellent transmission of the type 6 and the less than stellar transmission of the 15 Pan. The 13 Nagler is also sharper, but I can't negate the extra mag as a contributor here. The 15 Pan definitely delivers a warm image.

10mm eye relief is too tight as well. So, they've gotta go. That might eliminate the 16 type 5, unless I just give up the extra AFOV. How's the comfort of the 15mm TV plossl or Ultima/Ultrascopic? 15-16mm is my most used mag (240-250x)

Clear skies,

Tom

April 16, 2004 11:26 PM Forum: Chinese Optics Imports

Re: Junk TeleVue products on Astromart

Posted By Tom Hole
Jim,

I won't make it out to NCEEC tonight, but I'll be out in the driveway lookin'. BTW, I got a 2x 2" Powermate to try out and it won't work so well with the 2" OCS. Need one?

Tom

April 19, 2004 11:57 PM Forum: Chinese Optics Imports

This should make everyone happy

Posted By Tom Hole
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BurgessRefractors/message/6163


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