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Posts Made By: Alan French

January 25, 2009 03:33 PM Forum: Reflectors

Observing Challenge - Venus

Posted By Alan French
Posted under "Solar System Observing."

Clear skies, Alan

February 10, 2009 07:51 PM Forum: Global Warming - REAL or NOT

Birds and Global Warming

Posted By Alan French
http://www.kentucky.com/181/story/689558.html

I've been watching birds since the early '60s, and it has been interested to watch this. When I returned to the area after being in the service, I was surprised to find Northern Mockingbirds, a bird I had never seen locally.

When we moved into our house in 1985 I started a yard list. It was exciting to add a Red-bellied Woodpecker in 1993. One was seen in 1996, 1998, and 2000. After that they weren't worth noting, and now I hear them whenever I am outside and they are at the feeders in the winter. Another recent arrival is the Carolina Wren. The are reasonably common now, although one has yet to make it my yard. Soon, I suspect.

Clear skies, Alan

February 11, 2009 11:31 PM Forum: Reflectors

Long Focus Dob of a Slightly Different Flavor

Posted By Alan French
I've been going through photos, and found this photo of a 10" f/9.5 Dobsonian I made back in the mid 80s. Interesting cutting the tubes with the right angles for the six pole truss system. The eyepiece end and mirror end come off, but it is not as portable as modern truss arrangements. Steadier than many much shorter scopes.

It is still here and gets a little starlight. I acquired an old equatorial platform a while ago that is destined to go under it someday.

Clear skies, Alan

March 10, 2009 06:49 PM Forum: Global Warming - REAL or NOT

Sea Rise to "Exceed Projections"

Posted By Alan French
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7935159.stm

March 12, 2009 10:45 PM Forum: Global Warming - REAL or NOT

Antarctica

Posted By Alan French
http://www.biosbcc.net/ocean/AAcontinent.htm

More than a little ice!

Clear skies, Alan

April 5, 2009 01:00 PM Forum: Global Warming - REAL or NOT

Ice Bridge Ruptures in Antarctic

Posted By Alan French
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7984054.stm

April 20, 2009 07:13 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

R.E. Brandt SCT

Posted By Alan French
Does anyone know anything about SCTs made by R.E. Brandt?

Thanks, and clear skies, Alan

April 22, 2009 05:25 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Comparison between 1965 and 2009

Posted By Alan French
I bought a 60mm Unitron altazimuth in 1965 for $125. According to the inflation calculator that would be $844 today.

A few other comparisons, 1965 versus today's equivalent...
Galoc orthoscopic eyepiece $19.95 = $135
Jaegers 6" f/15 coated and cell $175 = $1182
Questar starting at $795 = $5368
Dynascope RV-6 $194.95 = $1316
Celestron 10" SCT $1670 = $11,277

I note that you can buy a 6" f/15 lens from D&G for $995 today.

The median family income is also up considerably since then and folks, at least until recently, have been able to afford to indulge there hobbies more than in the past.

Clear skies, Alan

July 31, 2009 09:23 PM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

Cedar Waxwing

Posted By Alan French
Taken during a small astronomy convention at the Northfield Environmental & Recreation Center, Northfield, MA, with a Canon SX10 IS at 20x.

Clear skies, Alan

August 1, 2009 01:17 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Bright Spot on Venus

Posted By Alan French
Has anyone looked for the bright spot on Venus?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8179067.stm

Clear skies, Alan

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