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Posts Made By: Alex McConahay

December 4, 2008 04:42 PM Forum: Star Parties

Texas Star Party

Posted By Alex McConahay
I'm planning a trip to the Texas Star Party this year. I'd like some advice from somebody with experience. I don't want any surprises that would be hard to take after a trip from California. I have seen their website--but veterans always have even better advice!

Alex

December 7, 2008 10:43 PM Forum: Star Parties

Pacific Astronomy and Telescope Show 09

Posted By Alex McConahay
The Pacific Astronomy and Telescope Show will be back next September.

The RTMC Board met yesterday and formally scheduled PATS for September 26 and 27, 2009 at the Pasadena Convention Center.

Details about speakers, vendors, and all have not been settled, but next fall's show will follow the same general format that drew so many to Southern California last September.

The weekend will start on Friday (9/25), with the Riverside AstroImaging Workshop. Saturday and Sunday will feature a full exhibit hall. Last year there were seventy exhibitors, and we expect more next. There will also be presentations by noted speakers going on in the meeting rooms.

Final prices have not been announced, but there will be substantial discounts for clubs who want to buy tickets and re-sell them to their members.

Astro-clubs, and organizations who wish to have related meetings are invited to participate that weekend.

I'll try to keep you posted as the plans develop.

Alex

December 13, 2008 01:02 AM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Minimum of Algol

Posted By Alex McConahay
When it says (on the Sky and Tel Website, among other places) that the Minimum of Algol will be at 5:55 am local, does that mean the dimming starts at 5:55, or is at mid-transit at 5:55?

Or what?

Alex

December 31, 2008 04:19 AM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

How to observe

Posted By Alex McConahay
I'm writing a series of articles on how to observe various classes of objects. I have found lots of books with descriptions of objects--but I have not found a concise description of what to look for when first observing an object.

For instance, if I were looking at a galaxy, what should I try to notice? A globular? An open Cluster? A Planetary? A diffuse nebula?

Any good sources out there you know of?

Alex



January 15, 2009 10:45 PM Forum: Star Parties

RTMC Astronomy Expo 2009

Posted By Alex McConahay
The organizers have posted the registration information for this Memorial Day weekend's RTMC Astronomy Expo.

It should be a good show, with the theme of 2009, International Year of Astronomy. Ed Krupp will be the keynoter, and Bob Fera the Astroimaging Workshop presenter.

Most importantly, it will be a new moon weekend. These parties are all a good time, and the new moon makes it even better.

Link is at:

http://www.rtmcastronomyexpo.org/general.html

Alex

January 16, 2009 02:30 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Selling Machine Tools

Posted By Alex McConahay
How does one go about selling a machine shop?

I have had just enough experience in a machine shop to make me dangerous.

I was visiting a friend who recently lost her husband. She was in the Palo Alto area. In her garage were a number of what appeared to me to be fairly high quality machine tools. Included were a lathe, a Bridgeport Series 1 variable speed Mill, a lot of tooling, and such.

She expressed to me that she wanted to sell it.

How does one go about selling it? SHe does not know what the stuff is, and would not feel comfortable just putting up a "for sale" sign, not knowing the value, etc.

I live 450 miles away, or I would offer to help some.

Alex



January 23, 2009 03:14 AM Forum: AstroMart FAQ

REgistration Address info does not match

Posted By Alex McConahay
I just spent 45 minutes on the phone trying to help a friend register for astromart. (He had an account years ago, but cannot remember what his name/password was, or even for sure which email address he had used for it.) We tried all the various combinations of information, but kept getting told that the address information does not match. He was typing straight what was on his credit card bill (he said).

What is this page trying to match? I have been assuming it is checking the credit card number against the credit card company records. (He has called the card company to confirm that they are using the same address he is using, i.e., the address on the bill.)

What are the possible places that there could be a mismatch?

Is the Visa card number typed in without the spaces or with them, or what?

Any ideas to help here?

Alex

February 1, 2009 02:28 AM Forum: AstroMart FAQ

So, like, what happened while I was away?

Posted By Alex McConahay
Okay, so I took a few hours off to do something and was away from the computer. Apparently there were about a dozen messages posted, and then deleted or withdrawn. And the subject line did not sound too positive.

Anybody want to tell me what happened? May I suggest you just send me a PM--I would guess whatever was deleted was meant to be deleted, or withdrawn, and there is no reason to post it all back up there.

I am just looking for information so that I will know what happened, (I mean, I am supposed to be moderating this forum!) not to continue a tizzyfit.

Alex

February 11, 2009 03:13 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Dick Seymour Autostar patches

Posted By Alex McConahay
One of my Astro-buddies has asked me if I know anything about the Dick Seymour Autostar patches. I had not heard of them......

Anybody with experience out there? Care to comment so I can pass it on to my buddy.

Alex

February 23, 2009 03:05 AM Forum: Comets

Lulin on Friday night

Posted By Alex McConahay
Here's what I got with an unmodified Canon 20D on a TV85, unguided on a Gemini/Losmandy G11 from Goat Mountain Astronomical Research Station.

Alex

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