Image of the day

Captured by
Arthur Hogan

Heart and Soul Nebulas

About Astromart

My Account

New to Astromart?

Register an account...

Need Help?

Posts Made By: Maurice Clark

October 17, 2006 01:41 PM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

Hawaii earthquake: effects on Mauna Kea

Posted By Maurice Clark
Hi all,

Just noticed that Hawaii had a series of strong earthquates last Sunday. Some damage caused up on the mountain. More information here:

JCMT:
http://www.jach.hawaii.edu/JCMT/announce/earthquake_20061016.html

CFHT:
http://www.cfht.hawaii.edu/

Gemini:
http://www.gemini.edu/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=206

Keck:
http://www.keckobservatory.org/article.php?id=95

Subaru:
http://www.naoj.org/

October 17, 2006 08:38 PM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

The power of the mouse!!

Posted By Maurice Clark
Maybe it is my warped sense of humour, but I find this report quite funny!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4593682.stm

Maybe next time he will be a little more careful when taking on a mouse!

Mice 1 man 0

October 24, 2006 12:59 AM Forum: N.A.S.A.

Shuttle liftoff ISS style

Posted By Maurice Clark
Hi all,

Just came across these images. They are of the Shuttle lifting off. What makes them interesting is they are taken from the ISS.

http://www.warrenellis.com/?p=3183

Way cool! I would be interested to find the original source.

Cheers,

Maurice

October 24, 2006 08:40 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

H-alpha filter question

Posted By Maurice Clark
Hi all,

I am looking at getting an H-alpha filter for CCD imaging and I am trying to decide which one to get. From looking at what is available, there seems to be a choise of 4.

Custom Scientific 10nm $170
Custom Scientific 10nm/with AR coatings $220
Custom Scientific 4.5nm/with AR coatings $275
Astrodon 6nm $275

I understand that the narrower the bandpass, the better the light pollution rejection and the fewer stars in the image, but I gather that longer exposures are required, so my gut feeling is to go with the Astrodon, but I would like to hear from other users as to their recomendations.

For example, what difference is there between the 10nm and the 4.5nm? Is the extra cost worth it? What about the anti-reflection coatings, are they worth the extra cost?

Thanks in advance

Maurice

October 24, 2006 09:10 PM Forum: N.A.S.A.

Mars Rover Beginning To Hate Mars

Posted By Maurice Clark
Hi all,

Just came across this interesting piece. Sounds like NASA has a problem brewing. wink

"Spirit has been displaying some anomalous behavior," said Project Manager John Callas, who noted the rover's unsuccessful attempts to flip itself over and otherwise damage its scientific instruments. "And the thousand or so daily messages of 'STILL NO WATER' really point to a crisis of purpose."

More here.

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/54360

Cheers,

Maurice

October 25, 2006 04:31 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

H-alpha filter question

Posted By Maurice Clark
Hi all,

I tried asking this question on the CCD forum, but did not get a responce, so maybe someone here can help.

I am looking at getting an H-alpha filter for CCD imaging and I am trying to decide which one to get. From looking at what is available, there seems to be a choise of 4.

Custom Scientific 10nm $170
Custom Scientific 10nm/with AR coatings $220
Custom Scientific 4.5nm/with AR coatings $275
Astrodon 6nm $275

I understand that the narrower the bandpass, the better the light pollution rejection and the fewer stars in the image, but I gather that longer exposures are required, so my gut feeling is to go with the Astrodon, but I would like to hear from other users as to their recomendations.

For example, what difference is there between the 10nm and the 4.5nm? Is the extra cost worth it? What about the anti-reflection coatings, are they worth the extra cost?

Thanks in advance

Maurice

November 3, 2006 08:14 PM Forum: Politics

Iraq reconstruction audit office to close

Posted By Maurice Clark
I guess this should have been expected. Criticize the administration and you get shut down.

The Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction has embarrassed the US administration with its reports on corrupt practices.

Critics of the government claim this is what lies behind its sudden closure.



Republican Senator Susan Collins told the New York Times she was mystified about how the termination clause had found its way into the bill. Senator John Warner, the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told the newspaper he would push for an extension of Mr Bowen's charter.

How could someone be "mystified" about a piece of legislation that they participated in? Don't these people read what they are voting for?

More here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6114132.stm

Cheers,

Maurice

December 1, 2006 05:40 PM Forum: N.A.S.A.

Live Earth!

Posted By Maurice Clark
Hi all,
Just came across a site that displays live imagary of the USA taken by the Landsat spacecraft. Fun to watch for a while.

http://earthnow.usgs.gov/earthnow_app.html?sessionId=bd58f67497f1017fd89ecc5c32125b2d17487

Funny thing though, just watched a pass from Minnesota to Texas, and when the craft passed over the more southern regions, the ground became a strange white colour. I wonder why that was!!! 8)

Cheers,

Maurice

December 12, 2006 03:50 PM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

Would anybody want to go to Texas?????

Posted By Maurice Clark
Hi all,

Just saw this on the ABC news website.

Blind may get opportunity to hunt in Texas 8O

Apparently some Texas lawmakers are trying to pass legislation that will allow blind people to hunt anything that sighted people can hunt.

With things like this the mind runs wild!! grin

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200612/s1810177.htm

Cheers

Maurice


December 14, 2006 08:25 PM Forum: N.A.S.A.

Springtime on Mars

Posted By Maurice Clark
This is great!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjiGH9QNiU0&eurl=

Maurice

PS Love the parachute!!! grin

Funding Member

Sponsors


View all sponsors

Search