Posts Made By: Judson Mitchell

Usually keep the 40mm Paragon out as a finder, so it is uncapped for the evening. The rest are kept in the EP case in closed cell foam except for the 1-2 used for observing. The 4-EP holder on the scope base can only hold 3 eps since mostly I use the Hyperions or Stratus. Am considering a 11mm T6 Nagler. That may change my attitude.

Always inspect the objective lense of the EP if it there was any hint of moisture and will leave the case open in my sunroom until the next day to avoid any residual moisture.

Cleaning is occasionally and usually follows when I have shared particularly when kids are involved. Brush off with soft brush, then wipe with Zeiss dampened lens cloths followed by a wipe with unscented tissue. Clean only if "spots" are present like eyelash oil or "saliva". OK, I am not sure what it is really, they just appear as reflective areas. It is easier to clean them when they cost me less than $100.

Security has not been a problem and am not paranoid about them being taken. That would probably change once the spell has been broken.

By the way, the only text I could find so far using the term "upright image" was on the top of page 37 of Orion's #073 catalog. It referred to a "correct image" spotting scope which was confirmed by an Orion representative who I called for clarification.

My probable path on this is to purchase a RACI prism and shorten the body so that it will come to focus with the prism. This way it can also be adapted for multiple EP use. There just happens to be one just posted in the classified with a similar solution, plus another independently made the same suggestion after a successful modification.

Mostly galaxies, globulars, planetaries, and open clusters in that order. Doubles and variables rarely if ever. Could not even begin to contemplate a pie chart.

Jay
I have been able to use my GSO 12" dob without counterweights. At the mirror end I have added Dob Knobs for collimation and a piece of masonite to hold the cooling fan. The 8AA fan battery pack is also mounted at the end. Altitude control is effected by Scope Grips from the Astronomy Shoppe. The greatest weight used is my barlowed 2" 40mm Paragon, 12X70 Russell finder and Telrad. There was no noticeable additional difficulty in controlling scope movement. Tension is added or subtracted using the Scope Grip knobs as needed. YMMV.

I have made FOV measurements on several EPs and have found that most, especially low to moderate priced 2" EPs do not yield the true FOV in my scope that the EP FOV should give. Tele Vues tend to be spot on (Plossls, 24 WF and 12 T4 Nagler). Hyperions show a wider field than the EP FOV would give, however, there may be some distortion. Haven't checked that out.

My methods have been to use a steel tape at +400 feet and star fields in Cygnus and Hyades. They compare very favorably. Star field measurement is difficult if you do not have tracking, especially with short FLs and steel tape measurements require a calm day.

OK. Continue with your summary, but it will be a tough read for me knowing what you are seeing. But, tonight our sky clock is indicating one of the best nights in months, so a few of us are heading to our closest dark site. Perhaps 6-6.5 will be possible. Got my comparison targets picked out. Will see. Glad you are having a good time at the cherry pit after last year's showing.

All I can say is WOW! Caught it in my binos the other night and at least could see a little definition.

There are several good sites found by just googling lunar 100. Below listed is one of my favorite sites since it lists the "day" of the moon cycle when L100 objects are best viewed.

http://www.eastvalleyastronomy.org/downloads/OTL100.pdf

Are you familiar with the "Old Scopes Home" in Simpsonville, SC. I can arrange scholarships.