Image of the day

Captured by
Byron Davies

M-52, NGC-7635, SH2-157, SH2-158, SH2-159, SH2-161, NGC-7510

About Astromart

My Account

New to Astromart?

Register an account...

Need Help?

Posts Made By: Darryl Simmons

July 10, 2007 04:55 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Laser Collimators

Posted By Darryl Simmons
Hi,

I have an Antares Side View Laser Collimator, which is easy to use and seems to work well. But I have read about "Barlowed Laser Collimators". Do I just use what I have with a barlow, or is this something different altogether? If so, what makes it better?

Thanks!

Darryl

September 27, 2007 02:19 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

How'd they do that?

Posted By Darryl Simmons
The picture of the ISS with shuttle docked taken from Boston using a 25" scope on pg 77 in Oct S&T is (IMHO) nothing short of amazing for a ground-based telescope. Unfortunately, they give no details on how they pulled it off.

October 26, 2007 07:41 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Baader Contrast Filter

Posted By Darryl Simmons
After reading the reviews, I've been saving the money to buy one of these. Today I was checking prices on our sponsors website and I found this statement:
"The ultimate contrast filter for all refractive optical systems."
Since I have a DOB, will this filter do anything? My conditions are: mildly light polluted skiess, 10" DOB.

Darryl

November 16, 2007 09:36 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Sital?

Posted By Darryl Simmons
I noticed that the Intes Maks are available with "Sital primary" for an extra $500. What is "Sital primary" and why is it desirable? I have no clue.

Thanks for educating me!

Darryl

February 13, 2008 08:03 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Astigmatism

Posted By Darryl Simmons
Hi All,

Last night while attempting to view Mars I noticed the image flares out one way when short-focused and 90 deg rotated when long-focused. Ah-ha! I thought, astigmatism. Then I wanted to find out where it was coming from. So I shuffled my feet and turned my head until I was looking through the eyepiece 90 deg rotated and refocused. Same problem (did not rotate with my eye). Next I carefully rotated the eyepiece 90 deg and tried again. Same problem (did not rotate with my eyepiece). I have a 10” dob made from an old Mead Starfinder OTA. Magnification was 120X (10mm Plossl) Any suggestions? (I have tried very hard to collimate using a barlowed laser, and I think it’s pretty close). TIA

Darryl

February 22, 2008 05:09 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Brightness Estimate

Posted By Darryl Simmons
From:
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/skyblog/observingblog/15838502.html

"Roger Sinnott... used the reversed-binocular method to get a
preliminary brightness estimate "

Anybody know how to do this, or where I can read up on it?

Thanks!

Darryl

April 6, 2008 01:42 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Mystery Object?

Posted By Darryl Simmons
On 4/3/08 I observed Mizar with my 20x80 Binocs. In-between the two stars, I observed a third object! It is just a little off-center and a little south of the line between Mizar and it’s double. I checked all my star charts and computer programs but none show an object there.

On 4/5/08 I went out and again observed the same object in the same location (just to be sure). Does anyone know what this is? I am cross-posting to “After Dark” and “Deep Sky Observing” forums.

Darryl

April 6, 2008 01:44 PM Forum: After Dark

Mystery Object?

Posted By Darryl Simmons
On 4/3/08 I observed Mizar with my 20x80 Binocs. In-between the two stars, I observed a third object! It is just a little off-center and a little south of the line between Mizar and it’s double. I checked all my star charts and computer programs but none show an object there.

On 4/5/08 I went out and again observed the same object in the same location (just to be sure). Does anyone know what this is? I am cross-posting to “After Dark” and “Deep Sky Observing” forums.

Darryl

April 6, 2008 01:45 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Mystery Object?

Posted By Darryl Simmons
On 4/3/08 I observed Mizar with my 20x80 Binocs. In-between the two stars, I observed a third object! It is just a little off-center and a little south of the line between Mizar and it’s double. I checked all my star charts and computer programs but none show an object there.

On 4/5/08 I went out and again observed the same object in the same location (just to be sure). Does anyone know what this is? I am cross-posting to “After Dark” and “Deep Sky Observing” forums.

Darryl

August 29, 2008 02:52 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Viewing Jupiter

Posted By Darryl Simmons
Last night was clear, so I took out my 10" dob to get a look at Jupiter. The diffraction spikes were annoying, so I tired some filters. The view with my Orion variable polarizing set at maximum was the best. I tried one other filter, my Baader "contrast booster". The first thing I noticed was a significant color change which I perceived as an orange tint, but it did not help with the diffraction spikes. For you other beginners, don't forget to try some filters next time you are out, experiment and find what works for you!

Darryl

Funding Member

Sponsors


View all sponsors

Search