Posts Made By: John Holt

Peter Rice said:

Just wondered how many people have actually taken the time to hunt this one down. I've identified it several times using a 10" Cave and a 16" Nightsky and a star chart. Last Friday night, it was very close to a dim star allowing me to detect its motion over a few hours.

Other members of the club are surprised when I show it to them. Just wondered if many people in this forum have looked for it.

Pete

scott staszak said:

I would like to get a set of filters for my zhumell 25x100 binoculars, some have advised they make a filter that will enhance nebulae and some clusters...is this true and which filter do I need? (zhumells have threads for filters) Thanks!

jack bitters said:

Which Eyepiece is better a K Or MA?
What do you think I have some of both and need to thin the Herd
Thanks
JB

Paul Kammueller said:

OK I was wondering what others around here might have been doing to save gas since it's been $3-$4. I installed a mileage computer on my car which enabled me to fine tune my driving habits to the point where I was averaging 33-35mpg in mixed city/highway driving on a car that was rated 23mpg city, 32mpg highway under the old EPA measurement standards (21/29 on the new method). Now I've made the issue moot by switching to a job closer to home that requires less travel.

Anyone else doing such things? Anyone get a different car? Hypermiling? Biking or walking? Moving or changing jobs?

tim wetherell said:

Hi everyone,

hope this is the right forum to ask this. Does anyone know of a book they could recommend on double stars? What I'm after is a book that lists the doubles in each constellation with their magnitudes and separations? Lots of books contain bits of this info but I've never seen one that had it all?

all the best

Tim

Matt Tarlach said:

Hi there. I used to know more about this stuff but have been halfway out of the hobby for a few years now and out of date, I'm sure. I'm trading my little-used gee-whiz goto scope for a dob, in hopes of rekindling my enthusiasm for the hobby. No doubt the following is a common question but I don't have time to prowl the forums as I used so I hope some folks can take a moment to weigh in and help me out....

What eyepiece of those currently available would you all suggest to meet the following need:

- 1.25" barrel
- 65-70d degree apparent field
- 21-25mm (for ~max true field in 1.25")
- Good performance at f5 - center should be very sharp, edge acceptable. to give you an idea of my personal tastes I have a Meade 4000 24.5mm SWA that I find much too soft at the edge at f5.
- >17mm eye relief as I need to wear my specs at this exit pupil

Interested in two answers - 1) a top value eyepiece that does all of the above, and 2) the very best eyepiece to meet all these needs, in case the wife decides I deserve an early birthday present.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Matt Tarlach

Dave Sewell said:

I USED to really enjoy reading the S & T equipment reviews, especially back in the "good old days" when they would be BRUTALLY honest evaluating telescopic equipment - remember the 2 part SCT review or their evaluation of 10 inch mirrors? Those reviews also included a lot of impressive testing data too. NOW their reviews seem very "nebulus" to me - glossing over their findings and seemingly candy coating everything. For example - in the most recent issue - with the review of the StarBlast 6, all they really say is that the scope has 'good optics capable of delivering satisfying views'. But they only rated the optics 3 out of 5 stars and never disclosed why the mirror only deserved a 3 star rating. Same with the AT80EDT Refractor. Read the mini-review and everything sounds great, but once again - this scope ONLY gets 3 stars out of 5!? The review of the Orion imaging reflectors from a few issues ago followed the same pattern for the most part. I know, from personal experience, that quite a few of the Chinese made f/5 mirrors I've star tested displayed obvious turned edge. In their defense, the IN FOCUS views - at least with the 130mm size mirrors - were still very satisfying despite the defect. Just feel myself that it would be more enjoyable reading the reviews with FULL DISCLOSURE. How's everybody else feel about this? ...