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Posts Made By: Maurice Clark

March 9, 2007 03:09 PM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

Geostationary animation

Posted By Maurice Clark
Hi all,

This was linked by someone on another bulletin board that I frequent. Quite an interesting animation.

http://aida.astroinfo.org/displayimage.php?pos=-407

Cheers,

Maurice

March 23, 2007 01:53 PM Forum: N.A.S.A.

Becomming an astronaut

Posted By Maurice Clark
Hi all,

Here is an interesting blog from someone working at KSC who is trying to become an astronaut. Could be interesting to follow.

She also has some very interesting pictures of the repairs to the external fuel tank that was damaged in the recent hailstorm.

Cheers,

Maurice

http://damarisbsarria.blogspot.com/index.html

March 29, 2007 06:13 PM Forum: Digital SLR AstroPhotography

Which camera?

Posted By Maurice Clark
Hi all,

I think I might just about have managed to accrue sufficient SPU's with the family treasurer to turn to the dark side. (ie make the switch from film to digital) However, then comes the question.... which camera? All of my digital work to date has been CCD. From looking over this forum, it seems like most people use either a Canon or a NikonD70.

While I am sure that this has been discussed somewhere on here before, would any of you DSLR experts care to give you suggestions on the best camera to get. Also, any issues for astrophotography? eg battery life.

The camera would be used for both normal and astro photography.

Thanks

Maurice

April 12, 2007 05:03 PM Forum: Refractors

refractor focuser

Posted By Maurice Clark
Hi all,

I am thinking that it is time to be getting a new focuser for my home-built 5" refractor, but I am having trouble finding what I am looking for. What I need is a simple 2" rack & pinion focuser that has a flat base to be bolted onto the back of the telescope. The one I currently have was made by Parks back in the 80's, but they do not seem to sell them any more. I have also checked AWBT and the sponsors, but no joy there either. The only ones for sale seem to be ones that screw on from the side. No good for what I need.

Anyone know who makes such a focuser these days?

Regards,

Maurice

April 12, 2007 05:32 PM Forum: Investment Discussions

Exchange rates

Posted By Maurice Clark
Hi all,

Anyone here ever watch the exchange rates? The slide in the vaule of the US$ has been quite rapid these past few weeks, down almost 10% against the A$ in the past month alone and almost 50% against 5 years ago.

Also in the BBC business page, it mentions that China's foreign reserves reached 1.2 trillion in the first three months of 2007.

Given that other economies are doing very well, I can only see further downward pressure on the US$. Any thoughts on just how far it will be allowed to drop and what effects this will have on the US and world economies?

Cheers,

Maurice

April 24, 2007 06:21 PM Forum: N.A.S.A.

Eta Carina Spectacular!

Posted By Maurice Clark
Hi all,

The people who control the HST have released a wide-field image of the eta carina nebula (NGC 3372) to celebrate the 17th anniversary of the launch of the HST.

There is a reasonable sized image here: http://www.spacetelescope.org/images/publicationjpg/heic0707a.jpg

and an image that you can zoom and pan here: http://www.spacetelescope.org/images/html/zoomable/heic0707a.html

The original image is only a little over 500 Mb and you can also download it from the second link! 8) That would be one for dial-up! 8O

Cheers,

Maurice

May 3, 2007 05:04 PM Forum: N.A.S.A.

Wally Schirra Has died

Posted By Maurice Clark
Wally Schirra, the only astronaut to fly in all 3 manned programs leading up to the Moon landings (Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo) has died at the age of 84.

NASA bio here: http://www.nasa.gov/vision/space/features/walter_schirra.html

Maurice

May 3, 2007 05:13 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Photoshop question

Posted By Maurice Clark
Hi all,

I have just finished re-installing Photoshop on a new computer and I am having a problem with grayscale images. Instead of displaying them as simple grayscale, photoshop insists on displaying them with a brown tint. I think they call it sepia toned.

Anybody know how to stop this and go back to simple grayscale?

Thanks in advance.

Maurice

May 4, 2007 01:21 PM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

Fancy a trip into space?

Posted By Maurice Clark
Then buy a lottery ticket! grin

Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, announced plans on Tuesday for a lottery which would send its winner into space

More here: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20070417/tod-uk-aldrin-lottery-d987f7f.html

Very tempting!!! smile

Maurice

May 8, 2007 02:02 PM Forum: N.A.S.A.

NASA tests methane engine

Posted By Maurice Clark
Report on a methane engine currently underdevelopement by NASA being testfired.

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/04may_methaneblast.htm?list208336

Play it with the sound up high!! 8O grin grin

Cheers,

Maurice

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