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Lion Nebula SH2-132 - RC71

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Posts Made By: James McSheehy

June 8, 2012 12:42 PM Forum: Astro-Physics

(yawn)

Posted By James McSheehy
Well, the clouds do add some interest to the composition. grin

(I'm waiting for Peter Lik's transit shot with the full moon and Mercury in the same frame. 8) )

July 18, 2012 01:48 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Optics and cushion foam

Posted By James McSheehy
It's best not to let foam contact any optical surface. The manufacturing process for most consumer-grade foams guarantees there will be inclusions of dust and grit. Melamine foam (used in magic erasers) is actually a super-fine form of sandpaper, and it should never be used for cushioning.

July 20, 2012 05:16 PM Forum: AstroMart FAQ

Am I doing it wrong?

Posted By James McSheehy
Three hours is a short fuse, but payment is the key that opens the lock. Last year I held a yard sale and had a portable air conditioner at a bargain price of $75. A nice older gentleman said he would buy it, but asked sincerely if I could hold it for him until 4PM because he had to meet some friends and didn't have time or space to load it in his car. How could anyone say "no" to such a salt-o-the-earth guy?

Yep, I foolishly held it for him, and the nicest man you could ever meet never showed again. During the day I turned away multiple offers, some at higher bids, for that A/C unit, and it's sitting in my basement now.

August 3, 2012 02:04 PM Forum: Home Observatories

Finally got the Scope in It!!!

Posted By James McSheehy
Looks good -- you're a wise man to include that lift in the pier. Imagers can't appreciate the pain that a large refractor inflicts when viewing near near zenith. grin

August 23, 2012 03:05 PM Forum: Telescope Making

how to make a secondary

Posted By James McSheehy
If you can hand pick the glass from a good selection of candidate blanks, you may not need to grind and polish anything:

http://www.oldham-optical.co.uk/Elliptical.htm

The traditional method (described in Texereau) involves making three flats, all worked against the others in a round-robin fashion and tested similarly.

September 6, 2012 02:20 PM Forum: Politics

ADP Jobs Forecast: UP!

Posted By James McSheehy
Doubleplus good, estimates like that ADP number don't lie. Oh and the chocolate ration also increased by 25%. All this great news at the end of the DNCC! 8)

September 20, 2012 02:39 PM Forum: Politics

Obviously...

Posted By James McSheehy
Tony Aguire said:

Obviously the cabby was not a republican...

When I read comments like this it makes me think seriously of moving someplace far away.
Mars might be too close.

September 23, 2012 01:06 PM Forum: Politics

Obsolete history

Posted By James McSheehy
"He who controls the present, controls the past. He who controls the past, controls the future."
-George Orwell

September 25, 2012 04:31 AM Forum: Politics

Twice The Staff: Same Cost

Posted By James McSheehy
Yes, some of the President's motorcade staff actually earn their own keep:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/jobgldes4z3q5ol/Photo%20Apr%2017%2C%201%2020%2055%20PM.jpg

They're great on hardwood -- just ask Joe. grin

October 4, 2012 05:09 AM Forum: Telescope Making

Fast astrographs design references desired

Posted By James McSheehy
In that aperture range (14"-20") the only design that makes sense is a Newt with a big field corrector.

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