Image of the day

Captured by
Michael Scherman

M17 Swan-Omega Celestron C6 Hyperstar2

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Posts Made By: Philip Blanda

January 28, 2008 04:00 PM Forum: Refractors

Refractor Geek Seeks a Peek

Posted By Philip Blanda
I have a TEC 180FL, but I'm in Northern NJ. I'll be attending some of the spring star parties in the area, you are welcome to take a long look if you like.

Philip

February 4, 2008 03:32 PM Forum: Astro-Physics

A-P 140mm first light

Posted By Philip Blanda
Ditto on that being a nice image.

Question: When you say you used the focal reducer was it the flattener/reducer 155TCC or the more generic 27TVPH?

Thanks,

Philip

February 9, 2008 02:22 PM Forum: Meteorites & Meteors

Meteorite stolen from WSP.

Posted By Philip Blanda
I'm hoping that it was misplaced rather than stolen. No comfort to the owner of course, gone is gone.

At a Star Party it's hard to lock up your stuff anyway, and I don't want to have to. Typically I just leave all my gear out when I wander around in the dark checking out other scopes, it would be simple for anyone to take anything.

Philip

April 1, 2008 04:00 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

TEC 6 Vs Mewlon 180 Vs FS-102

Posted By Philip Blanda
For lunar/planetary/double star use I would go with the Tak 180 on the theory of aperture. For more general viewing I would take the TEC 6 and practically speaking I would take either the TEC or Tak depending on which popped up first for sale. The TEC will be cheaper judging by previously posted prices, however, if that is a consideration.

Philip

May 5, 2008 01:45 AM Forum: Refractors

My little girls "help!"

Posted By Philip Blanda
Well, Roland Christen of AP has spoken about using spit to clean organic stains on lenses such as those caused by tree sap, so no harm can be done be mere spit on a lens.

I would use a traditional lens cleaning such as found here on the lens to get it as good as new:

http://www.astro-physics.com/tech_support/refractors/care_of_scope_instructions070506.pdf

Philip

May 7, 2008 03:48 PM Forum: Refractors

TV102 Competition

Posted By Philip Blanda
The characteristics of the TV 102 are (in no particular order):

1)Good APO performance (colour/figure/etc.).

2)Longish focal ratio for lessened demands on eyepieces and ability to use longer FL eyepieces for same magnification

3)High quality optics and excellent robust mechanics

4)quick cooldown

5) Decent price (~$2,000 for OTA or ~2,400 for OTA + accessories).

It would seem to me that the natural competitor to the TV-102 is the Takahashi TSA-102.

They both have the longer focal ratio but the TSA has the advantage in better colour correction at the disadvantage of a longer cooldown. However, cooldown in any 4" APO is not terribly long.

The TV is slightly lighter and cheaper, but the TSA has a larger focuser perhaps more comparible to the TV-102is rather than the base TV-102.

If I were choosing between these two scopes, I would most likely pick the TSA-102 over the TV-102 (is or not).

Philip




William Paolini said:
About ready to get a TV102 refractor.

July 8, 2008 01:53 PM Forum: Refractors

Prism Diagonal = Better Color Correction?

Posted By Philip Blanda
On my AP Travler (105mm f/5.8 APO) and AP 130EDF (130mm f/6 APO) I find that using a Baader T2 dielectric mirror yields very slightly better correction than using the Baader T2 prism with my binoviewer setup.

I wonder if the improvement that you are seeing is actually a moving of the color error from one side of the spectrum (red) to the other (violet) and your eyes are less sensitve to the larger violet error hence a perceived improvement?

In anycase, it is about perception, so go with what works.

Rumple

July 10, 2008 01:34 PM Forum: Astro-Physics

AP Gran Turismo Arrives

Posted By Philip Blanda
Very nice! The f/6 130 EDF is a nice compact refractor and the new splittable tube is a nice feature.

Philip

March 9, 2009 12:17 PM Forum: Coronado-Lunt-DayStar Solar Filters

8 March Proms

Posted By Philip Blanda
Nice shots, Mike. I like the 1st one better as it shows the prominence and disk mottling.

BTW: What equipment are you using for these pictures, i.e. what H-alpha filter, scope and camera?

Thanks,

Philip

March 28, 2009 08:56 AM Forum: Refractors

Meade 102ED (lens question)

Posted By Philip Blanda
FK01 is the old name Ohara had for FPL-51. Same optical properties.

Philip

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