Image of the day

Captured by
Arthur Hogan

Heart and Soul Nebulas

About Astromart

My Account

New to Astromart?

Register an account...

Need Help?

Posts Made By: Judson Mitchell

March 5, 2006 08:56 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Comet C/2006 A1 (Pojmanski), 2006/3/5

Posted By Judson Mitchell
Dave
Saturday morning a friend and I went to one of our so-so sites to find the comet. It was first located in my 20X100 binos showing up as a faint fuzzy patch (Pickering on star test was less than 3)and later found in my 12" dob. It showed up quite brightly with an off-center brighter core, but no discernable tail.

March 6, 2006 08:14 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Old issues of S&T

Posted By Judson Mitchell
Next time I am at the homestead in Illinois I will have to rummage through stuff to see if any of my old S&T mags are still around. Believe there could be some from the 50s. What I remember mostly was the Criterion, Unitron and AMT stuff. The only thing I have left at the moment is my Olcott and Putnam Field Book of the Skies.

March 7, 2006 03:50 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

2" End cap suggestions

Posted By Judson Mitchell
A picture would help. Don't know if this would work, but I have used PVC caps for 1.5" pipe that has a 2" OD. This slides into my 2" barlow EP Slot. Must file off a small tab to make it fit. To remove from barlow I drilled a hole and screwed in a drawer pull. Total cost $0.98 plus tax (already had the drawer pull). If interested will post picture.

March 11, 2006 02:44 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

How do you do it?

Posted By Judson Mitchell
I believe I can well afford any scope I choose, but also have to maintain domestic tranquility which rates high up there. I rationalize what I buy by painting my own house inside and out, installing my roof, laying hardwood floors, building furniture, doing my own yard work, etc. I do not have a bass boat, jet ski, second home at the lake, tricked up car, my truck is 14 years old and I change my own oil. Tis a matter of priorities. Look around and see what your neighbors spend much more money on that a lot of astronomers. One car will buy all the astro stuff most of us would ever really want. Would rather be our looking up than waxing my 55 Thunderbird, and I bet my neighbor would laugh at me looking up while he worries where he can pick up an after market grill for the old 55T.


March 15, 2006 08:35 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Clavius Question

Posted By Judson Mitchell
Well, the profile and absence of any intersecting features does not contradict a common origin. Have not seen other orbiter photos, do you know of an on-line source for Clavius that shows better detail and resolution?

March 23, 2006 04:39 PM Forum: Astro Binoculars

Oberwerk or Garrett Gemini?

Posted By Judson Mitchell
Two friends have the 20X80 and 15X70 Oberwerk binos and are pleased with them. The 20 is mounted on a tripod, the 15X70 is used with a wood frame that rests on the shoulders (design in I thing S&T around Sept 05?). Someone correct this if wrong. Personally, for best viewing, I recommend a tripod or parallelogram mount. I have 20X100s and built a parallelogram mount for viewing.

March 24, 2006 12:11 AM Forum: AstroMart FAQ

Default settings

Posted By Judson Mitchell
Think I dropped out and came back in and it fixed itself. Tried everything before with no results. OK now.

March 24, 2006 04:11 PM Forum: Eyepieces

EP's for beginner

Posted By Judson Mitchell
I have found that once I get around 150X my preference is for a wide field view beyond what a plossl will provide. The view is much more pleasing to me and it is easier to find and track an object. The Orion Stratus and Baader Hyperion are essentially the same EP but the Stratus is about $40 cheaper at $95 plus shipping. So for a few bucks beyond a plossl you can have a usable wide view EP ~68 degrees. The eye relief is also very good. Of course now the old EP-aholic syndrome is setting in and I just have to have a Nagler down around 6-8mm. But that's what you get for listening to Astromarters.

March 28, 2006 11:24 PM Forum: Eyepieces

The Good, The Bad, and THE UGLY

Posted By Judson Mitchell
I own the 8mm, friends own 5 through 21 and all are very happy; my scope is a 12" f/5, one has an orion 12", another a Hardin 8" f/4. So all were used in relatively fast scopes. Sky conditions have not allowed a real test so the jury is still out, but everyone claims pretty much good focus nearly to the edge. I also have the Baader Hyperion 13. You can check my post #420839

April 20, 2006 01:13 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Comet Schwassmann-Wachmann 3

Posted By Judson Mitchell
Two friends and I observed the comet Tuesday under skies less than Mag 4. Fragment B was a vague smudge with no distinct structure apparent. We observed with a 12" Orion Dob and 10" Truss. It was also discernable in my 20X100 binos, but just. A tough find under the poor seeing conditions. A jet came over and there was a distinct reflection cone from the landing lights, a testament to the amount of moisture in the air. But Hey! We saw it.

Funding Member

Sponsors


View all sponsors

Search