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Posts Made By: Bill Byrd

April 12, 2007 11:54 PM Forum: Refractors

Baffle Question

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]Being more of a reflector person, but having had and used my share of refractors, I thought I'd ask about a pic of a baffle in an older Orion 80mm ED that was posted in an add. What caught my eye was the apparent closeness of the first baffle to the objective. Is it really as close as it looks or is it a perspective issue from looking through the objective? To me it looks like that first baffle is way too big and or close to the rear of the objective to not act as an aperture stop.
Just curious,
Reflector Bill[/COLOR]

May 5, 2007 02:26 AM Forum: Telescope Making

Need to Buy an IC - Where?

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]Hi All!
Anyone know where I can buy single IC chips? I fried a chip in a drive motor controler years ago (reversed polarity - "magic smoke" escaped) and I'd like to replace it. I've found places that sell the chip but most want a $500.00 minimum order. I just need one or two chips. :S

In case it helps, the chip is a Toshiba TC5036P, 16 pin.
Hopeful,
Bill[/COLOR]

May 7, 2007 11:12 PM Forum: Telescope Making

New Lemon Pledge?

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]Just picked up a new can. Just noticed that it is "New! Anti-Dust Formula". Just wondering if anyone knows if this formula is actually different than the old formula.
Bill[/COLOR]

May 16, 2007 12:52 AM Forum: Insects - Flowers and Other Small Stuff - Photos

Almost There - Spider Lily?

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]Hi All!
Here's a pic of the flower pod starting to open. In a couple of days there will be a mass of pretty little flowers at the top of each stalk. I'll post more pics as they open more.

Not sure what these are but they grow out of a grassy looking clump of a plant. Just looks like some overgrown grass until these stalks pop out and grow about 12" tall. My wife and her sister were weeding the bed these are in and I had to convince them to leave this plant. They thought I was crazy because it just looks like grass growing in the wrong place.
Bill[/COLOR]

May 18, 2007 12:56 AM Forum: Insects - Flowers and Other Small Stuff - Photos

More Spider Lily

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]Here's another pic...a little more open now. If anyone knows what this is, I would appreciate knowing.
Bill[/COLOR]

May 24, 2007 12:43 AM Forum: Insects - Flowers and Other Small Stuff - Photos

Lily of the Nile - Formerly Spider Lily

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]If you followed my Spider Lily posts, you know that Herb set me straight about the plant actually being a Lily of the Nile.

The first bloom opened over night. Here's a pic.
Bill[/COLOR]

June 6, 2007 02:59 AM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Summer Lament

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]I was out trimming some tree limbs after dinner tonight. As I was finishing up, it was getting kinda dark. I looked at my watch and low and behold, it was almost 9pm CDT and there was still enough light to see by.

The nights have gotten way shorter! DST hasn't helped either. Grrrrr! >sad
Bill[/COLOR]

June 9, 2007 08:48 PM Forum: Refractors

Re: 102mm Vixen f/6.5 traveler - proof of concept

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]Hi Greg!
Nice portable set up.

In my early astro days I dreamed/lusted about
the AP Traveler. Never could find/afford one.

How are the views through the scope?
Is it an achro? How's the focuser?
Curious,
Bill[/COLOR]

June 29, 2007 02:52 AM Forum: Landscape Photography

Texas Clouds

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]Last night we got a break in the rain for a little while. These clouds were lighting up as the sun set. Crummy pic...the clouds were nice though.
Bill[/COLOR]

August 19, 2007 01:51 AM Forum: Insects - Flowers and Other Small Stuff - Photos

Queen Caterpillar Getting Ready To Shed

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]Noticed Friday that we have a few 'pillars this fall. Looks like they are all Queen 'pillars and not Monarchs. Didn't have any 'pillars this spring for some reason.

This one is hanging in the "J" position preparing to shed its skin and pupate. It's in a good spot so I should be able to document things from here out.

It looks a little small to me which may mean that it has been infected with a fly larva and won't make it to full butterfly glory. We'll know in about a week!
Bill[/COLOR]

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