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Posts Made By: Robert Watters

December 26, 2002 08:18 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Attach AT1010 to C8?

Posted By Robert Watters
Losmandy will have everything you need. Another one that may possably help would be Ken's Rings and Telescope Accessories. Both have links on the AstroMart home page.



Robert W.

December 26, 2002 08:22 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

TMB 100/800 mounting suggestions

Posted By Robert Watters
The universal dove tail plate (DUP) would probably be the best bet if you want to use the TMB rings. It has multiple holes and slots to mount a variety of different scopes.



Robert W.

December 26, 2002 09:45 PM Forum: Pictures of Me and My Telescope and........

My Gear

Posted By Robert Watters
Here is a recent pic of me and my trusted observing companion (Cody). Sorry about the quality, had my daughter take it with her $30 digital she got for X-mas.



Robert W.

December 29, 2002 04:52 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Quick inexpensive mount??

Posted By Robert Watters
I would second Forrest's comments. The side by side setup will be much better for the heavier TMB. I don't have a pic of it but I use this setup for my C8 and guide scope. I have also used it for a TV-85 and guide scope setup in the past. Works quite well and is pretty impressive looking too. :-)


Robert W.

December 30, 2002 11:27 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Weights

Posted By Robert Watters
I think a standard Losmandy weight is 21#. That works well for me when I have the C8, ST-80 and camera riding piggyback, and the ST-4. A 15# weight might be more what your looking for.

Astro Accessories by Robin Casady sells some real nice stainless steel weights of all different sizes. He has a link on the AstroMart home page.


Robert W.

December 31, 2002 07:33 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Solar filters

Posted By Robert Watters
I made mine 7", not quite full aperature but almost. I works great, nothing beats aperature for detail. Some will say that you can't take advantage of anything over 4" most of the time (because of seeing), but I say it all depends on when and where you observe from.

Jim,
This is the sole purpose of a solar filter, to block the heat (IR) and other types of harmfull rays therefore none will be present inside of your scope. Any heat that is generated is comming from the tube itself.


Robert W.

January 9, 2003 01:54 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Tube ring spacing??

Posted By Robert Watters
The further they are apart the more stable and less prone to flexture it will be.



Robert W.

February 7, 2003 03:27 AM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

ISS info. ??

Posted By Robert Watters
Try this one.

http://www.heavens-above.com


Robert W.

February 20, 2003 12:52 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Cool down time for a SCT

Posted By Robert Watters
First of all I would say an hour is about minimum a SCT needs and it could be alot more than that if you see a constant drop in temperature throughout the night. A refractor has the optics exposed and at the far end of the OTA. An SCT has a corrector plate in the same position but that is not the problem. The problem is with the mirror, it retains a good deal of heat that has nowhere to go because of the enclosed OTA. Another problem with the SCT is heat from the secondary, since it is positioned mostly on the inside of the corrector plate the heat plume will rise straight up, un-disturbed from any air movement because of the closed system. This heat plume can be seen easily in a out of focus star test as a dark snake like smoke trail of sorts comming from the secondary and going all the way thru the defocused star and pointing in whatever direction is up.



Robert W.

March 12, 2003 03:38 AM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

Images of Columbia? Israeli satellite images

Posted By Robert Watters
I agree, "to HollyWood". Plus I thought "explosions" couldn't happen in the vacum of space???



Robert W.

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