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Posts Made By: Ivan Gastaldo

November 15, 2007 02:22 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Comet 17P/Holmes on a Damp Tuesday Night

Posted By Ivan Gastaldo
Nice report Dave! 8)
Glad you've been able to enjoy this comet... it is indeed quite a beautiful view in binoculars, since the bright star Mirphak & the surrounding stars are in the same field, giving it a 3D feel...

I watched again last night, but this time I called my wife & my neighbors (6-7) and made them all look at the comet through my 15x70 binos... they were all impressed! They kept going back to it after they saw it for the first time, and even went back to their homes and pulled their own binos... (needless to say, I was thrilled to see them this interested!)

Then I pointed them to the Pleiades and a couple of other targets, and they all left very happy... 8)

All in all, a very short but productive session... wink


Clear skies to you!

November 15, 2007 04:53 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

What Grease and Goo Is Best?

Posted By Ivan Gastaldo
I personally use White Lithium grease... (easily found at Home Depot-Lowe's)

November 16, 2007 03:00 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

4 nights, one image...arrghhh.....

Posted By Ivan Gastaldo
Ahhh, might be just one image, but it is one heck of an image... 8)
Wonderful wide field shot Vince! 8)

November 20, 2007 02:09 PM Forum: N.A.S.A.

Thanksgiving NASA style

Posted By Ivan Gastaldo
Awesome reading...
Thanks Maurice! 8)

November 23, 2007 06:33 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Oh no, not another M31.......

Posted By Ivan Gastaldo
GORGEOUS! 8)
A truly amazing shot Vince, congrats!

November 26, 2007 04:13 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Scope for Backpacking

Posted By Ivan Gastaldo
I'll second the recommendation for the WO ZS66SD... a wonderful scope all around, affordable, built like a tank, small, and gives beautiful views... a hard to beat package! (I have one and love it!) 8)


Good luck, and clear skies!

November 26, 2007 10:16 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Sirius vs. Atlas

Posted By Ivan Gastaldo
David, between those two, I would definitely get the Atlas. For astrophotography, a steady mount is a must have, and the Atlas is a great mount at that price range... (I have one, and love it!)

Sure, you should be able to find better mounts, but at a much higher price, unless they are stripped down versions (non-GOTO). (which is not a bad thing, but in my case GOTO is a necessity)


Clear skies! 8)

December 4, 2007 07:51 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Need advice.

Posted By Ivan Gastaldo
Steve, if Astrophotography is on your mind, concentrate on getting a nice/heavy/sturdy mount, as it is the most important part of the setup. (I would NOT consider the LXD-75 an Astrophotography mount)

The LX-200R (a whole different ballgame) would need a wedge in order to shoot in Polar mode, for long exposures. (not to mention reducer/correctors for f/3.3 and f/6.3 modes, as the f/10 mode is very long and the FOV is quite reduced for AP)

You could look into getting an Orion Atlas, or a Losmandy G-11, and then getting the scope of your choice for it...

Just my starting 2 cents... more to come, I'm sure.. 8)

December 5, 2007 03:28 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Latest Image, The Rosette Nebula.

Posted By Ivan Gastaldo
Great shot, my friend!
I know what you mean about the limitations of these small-chip cameras...

I wish I could afford a larger one, but I simply cannot... I'll have to settle for what I have.


Clear skies, and keep it up!

December 5, 2007 04:20 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Saturn's rings "tilted 15 degrees"

Posted By Ivan Gastaldo
Lovely shot Dan! 8) well done!

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