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Posts Made By: Enrique Barrio

February 9, 2009 08:06 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Newtonian telescopes - collimation

Posted By Enrique Barrio
What is it about the design and execution of newts that makes them so sensitive to collimation. I understand that all telescopes require proper alignment; but, once that is achieved why isn't the mounting system designed to hold the correct collimation indefinitely? Is there a need for the variable mirror cell, or can the mirror simply be mounted in a more riggid and durable cell and tube assembly?

May 16, 2009 05:30 AM Forum: After Dark

Re: star like object seen breaking up

Posted By Enrique Barrio
That was probably a weather balloon. However, a couple of weeks ago, I was following a satelite wih my widefield (Orion 120mm f5) when a dim grey blur flew through my field of view, followed within 2-3 seconds by another identical object flying the same trajectory. It left me scratching my head until I identified them as Honeywell MAVs. The police deparment in our area are testing them for surveillance applications and the things are relatively silent, have no running lights, and are small enough and can fly high enough to make them look intersting as they cross your field of view.

Here is the company video:
http://www.honeywell.com/sites/portal?smap=aerospace&page=mav_video&theme=T8

January 25, 2010 03:41 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Converting an old telephoto lens

Posted By Enrique Barrio
I am hoping to convert an old telephoto lens into finder scope. The added weight should actually be a plus in shifting the balance on my long tube refractor towards the back. The only issue is how to mount the eyepiece. Does anyone sell a converter that attaches to the actual lens, or will I have to take a trip down to the local machine shop?

June 1, 2007 04:17 PM Forum: Reflectors

Dall Kirkham Cassegrain collimation

Posted By Enrique Barrio
I would like to second John's request. I am new to SCTs and just recieved one that was so knocked about that the secondary was completely loose in its mount. The scope is back together again, but whatever collamination it may have would be a product of pure chance.

June 5, 2007 04:07 AM Forum: Telescope Making

A dumb question re binocular viewers and refractor

Posted By Enrique Barrio
It looks like Hutech is already doing something like this. The only difference is that they use bino eyepieces instead of the single.

Read about their kit here:

http://sciencecenter.net/hutech/binoscop/index.htm


September 22, 2007 08:41 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

What should Jon get as a second scope?

Posted By Enrique Barrio
Here is an inexpensive 60mm starter scope for his kid.

http://www.buytelescopes.com/product.asp?t=288&pid=7425&m=

October 4, 2007 09:04 AM Forum: Solar System Observing

Mars as seen at the ep

Posted By Enrique Barrio
What type of setup are you using?

Btw, Thanks for posting the photo. I am a visual observer and that is far closer to what I can see in real time then the beautiful multi-pass processed photos that are usually posted.

October 7, 2007 04:33 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Choosing from whom to buy

Posted By Enrique Barrio
Astronomy is a rediscovered hobby for me and I lack the experience to make specific recommendations. However, I have found some time ago that it is up to the buyer to develop a level of sophistication and it is best to buy that which falls within your understanding. Why would you choose an expensive instrument based upon the opinions of others. What they may think extrodinary may be well within the ordinary to you. Go out and test the thing; not to do star testing, but to see if it can really do what you would want it to do.

November 9, 2007 10:08 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

BIG DOB VS AN APO

Posted By Enrique Barrio
If you are a visual astronomer, then go with the dobs; otherwise, he apo will be easier to manage and will work well with a camera.

November 18, 2007 09:23 AM Forum: Solar System Observing

Did NASA accidentilly nuke Jupiter?

Posted By Enrique Barrio


This photo taken by the Cassini Imaging Team on 9/6/2003 shows what appears to be the same feature well before October 19th, and before Galileo is sent crashing into Jupiter.

link:
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap030906.html


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