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Lawrence Parchman

Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253)

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Posts Made By: Ivan Gastaldo

March 3, 2006 09:39 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Re: Are Meade UHTC coatings same as Meade EMC?

Posted By Ivan Gastaldo
Mike, they are NOT the same...

UHTC coatings are an "improvement" over the EMC coatings, but mostly geared to Astrophotography...

There are many reports online, some say they don't make much difference "VISUALLY" speaking, and some say they do... I guess it is one of those things that you have to experience for yourself...

But, if you have the option to get them with UHTC, you'll be better off...


Clear skies! 8)

March 10, 2006 03:41 AM Forum: Landscape Photography

Sunrise from Coconut Creek

Posted By Ivan Gastaldo
A lil' panoramic from home... 8)
Taken from my backyard.


Clear skies to all! 8)

March 10, 2006 02:18 PM Forum: Meade

Re: replacement diagonals for LX90

Posted By Ivan Gastaldo
All SCTs come from factory with SCT diagonals, which screw into the visual backs...

If you want to use refractor style diagonals, you would either have to change the visual back to a compression ring style, or use an SCT adapter, which screws into the visual back, and then you insert the diagonal into it...

I particularly use a 2" AP visual back with compression ring, and then I insert my 2" TV diagonal into it... 8)

March 22, 2006 06:16 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Re: Low alt Jupiter

Posted By Ivan Gastaldo
Very nice shot Robert, specially considering the altitidu of Jupiter at this time...

Processing is very smooth, and color looks very natural... well done! 8)

March 23, 2006 10:32 PM Forum: Mounts

Re: Removeing Armorall H E L P ! ! !

Posted By Ivan Gastaldo
Bob, I have not had this problem, but I would suppose that any DEGREASER might do the trick, since ArmorAll is OIL based...

Have you tried Alcohol? (might need to switch paper towels (or whatever you are using) often so as not to spread the oily stuff around...

March 31, 2006 10:06 PM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

A Retirement dream?

Posted By Ivan Gastaldo
I saw this and just thought about "how nice it would be to be able to retire to something like this..."

It is certainly one of my dreams... to be able to move to a quiet area and be able to enjoy Nature & Astronomy... (sure, I'll have to convince the wife by then...) wink

http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=420048



Clear skies to all! 8)

April 10, 2006 01:03 PM Forum: Pictures of Me and My Telescope and........

Re: Back to the Classics Again...

Posted By Ivan Gastaldo
Nice looking scope David!
Enjoy it! 8)

April 10, 2006 01:46 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M3 in B/W, with Orion Starshoot (FIRST LIGHT)

Posted By Ivan Gastaldo
Well, I received my Starshoot about a week ago, and had a chance to try it last week.
(this is my first shot with it)

I decided to shoot M3, since the Moon was high and washing away most galaxies & nebulas, not to mention that my area IS already VERY light polluted, so I did not want to pick a rather difficult target for a first try...

Everything went pretty smooth, even though I could tell that the orange lights that flood my area were going to interfere with the shooting, and most likely all my shots were going to have this BROWN/ORANGE TINT to them... (VERY VERY annoying to say the least!)

Anyways, I decided to turn my final shot into a B/W shot, so as to avoid the mess that the light pollution did...

This is a combination of 24x30s shots. (yeah, yeah, I know, NOT MUCH to look at... LOL!) 8)
Taken with the Orion ED80, piggybacked on the LX-200 in Alt-Az.

DARK SKIES are pretty much a NECESSITY for GOOD results...


Clear skies to all!

April 12, 2006 09:05 PM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

FAMILY PICS... Lets see them!

Posted By Ivan Gastaldo
Well, we have been here for quite a while now, and I think it is time for us to talk about a lil' more than just us, the scopes & space... how about at least sharing a pic of the ones that support us, the ones that share our passion with us (sometimes), or SIMPLY put, THE ONES THAT PUT UP WITH US? 8O 8)

I'll get this started by posting a picture of me, with my wife Ana (17 years married and counting), and my 3 children, Stephanie of 15, Silvana of 12 and Giovanni of 10.

C'mon guys/girls, don't be shy... 8)
Let's make this thread a great one! wink

May 3, 2006 03:13 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Re: heavy eyepieces and a goto scope

Posted By Ivan Gastaldo
Don, even though I have not played with a Nexstar 8, I can most certainly tell that you are having a weight balancing issue...

Check this system, which includes a rail and weights for your scope...

http://www.buytelescopes.com/product.asp?t=&pid=7303&m=


There are many systems out there, and some you can build yourself... 8)


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