Posts Made By: John Meiners

It has always been a project I have wanted to start someday. Now that I am retired and have some extra time on my hands, the job is at hand.. Can anyone recommend a quality book, or know of a good web site that can get me at least started or give me some ideas to what is practical/possible to do?
I have a Tele Vue 102. But like alot of people have aperture fever: 5" 6" 8" would like to find out what Objective lens I can afford, focuser, Diagonal, Tubing & materials needed, air spacing, and so forth. Would appreciate any help or suggestions you can furnish, regards, John Meiners in Astoria, OR. At the(Mouth of the Mighty Columbia River)

Just returned from the Ochoco National Forest where this years OSP is being held. Aug. 8-11. Near the town of Prineville set in the Mountians aprox. 4900' elv. Friday the 9th. was absolutely transparent! Hundreds of scopes of every genre. next to me a gentleman set up his 25" Obsession. Wow! how lucky for me I could walk a few yards away and view M-51 with its spiral arms radiating out from its core! This was my 1st (but not last) star party, what a great experience, When the opportunity presents itself, you must engage in it. The benifits are wonderful. Thanks to all the great folks up there that shared their treasures with me, especially to the gentleman who showed me his 155 AP. & the veiws it unfolded. clear nights, John M

Just finished perusing through SKY & telescope's '03 Skywatch yearly magazine.
It features a clever layout (photo preview) of some 82 scopes currently on the market today, showing prices, Optics type & subtype, mounts, "go to" , motor drives, finders. Everything you need to know for your particular need. Also included in the issue is 16 monthly sky charts till Dec.03. also some breathtaking images not seen before from that Eye in the sky.. enjoy, John M

The 150mm.Fujinon's is what caught my eye ! can you imagine the relative ease in which old guys like me could view near the Zenith; M-57, or scan lazily through the Veil.
I think I would gerry-rig an extendable foot rest.. My wife would have a hard time getting me to come to bed, www.starchair.com be the 1st. on your block to get one.
clear skys & watch those arm rests~

OK,I know I am not the only person that is driven nuts by this; Who else out there in our community knows people that have in their possession ( home ) a perfectly wonderful telescope of some kind. Be it a Dob. Reflector, Schmidt-
Cass. or refractor. And they haven't touched them in years. In my case, one gentleman I know has a 10" Meade Dob. that sits in his shop covered like an ugly piece of furniture. He has not used it for 10 years that I know of. An other friend who works at a photo shop, and is always talking about his 8" Cassegrain hasn't taken it outside for 6 years that I know of. Now have they lost interest in the Hobby? are too lazy, or just procrastinate forever. I asked Larry, the Camera salesman if he would be interested in selling the 8". Oh no, he said, one of these days I'll get around to setting it up, just too busy right now.... UHGGG!!! Before these people realize, bingo! Times up. As my Grandpa used to say, " Enjoy this moment, for this moment is your life." Clear skys... John M. Let me know if anybody knows any of these type, I would be interested in hearing about them and their hid away treasures..

What to date is the largest available Mak/Newt on the Market today, who makes it ? and of course, how much, anyone know? thanks, John M

There are enough of you out there that have tried with limited success different scopes; Refractors. Newts, Catadioptric. what is your final analysis as a competent contender, Nexstar 11", Borg, Tak, Meade LX 200 ?? I am confused?? I plan on getting a Starlight Express camera ,should I not abandon my TV 102.. any suggestion would be appreciated, Maybe "entry Level" is not the right term I should be using here.. thanks all.. John M
PS. Any suggestion on a sturdy enough mount for CCD work:
CI-700 Great Polaris Losmandy GM 8/11 APO 600 EGTO ??

Has anyone had the opportunity to check out the INTES MICRO
MN 76 7" Maksutov?? Have been thinking about acquiring one. Would appreciate any info you may have, regards, John M

Has anyone had the chance to view through this scope? Or better does someone own such a scope? Have been wondering how this Mak performs? Any feedback would be appreciated! There is a DEAL "pending" on a BNIB MN-76 JM

Now that my new MN-76 is nearly on the Horizon , & (If the UPS fork-lift driver doesn't have it in his front sight blade) I am asking competent Mak lovers to relinquish their
top secret method of precision collimating. This scope requires a different approach then the Newt & Dob. reflec.
So far I have heard of the Techtron kit, auto-col. light pipes, sight tubes, film can lids, lasers, & circle reticles
Gee, I miss my 102 already... Hoping some ingenious Astronomer has through trail & error, and after $$$$ worth of gagets he has since sold on the Astr-Mart, would share his technique with me and other who stumble across this thread, Thanks for your time. JM