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Lion Nebula SH2-132 - RC71

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Posts Made By: Ron Bee

August 6, 2005 07:15 PM Forum: Refractors

My new Tele Vue NP127

Posted By Ron Bee
Scott Mortimer said:

Congratulations! That is one small scope for a 5-inch refractor. I would really enjoy the flat-field low power views. One thing that's always bothered me with short f/l scopes is the inevitable field curvature at low power.

Now, what you'll really need for that scope is a nice ED barlow....ha ha ha, just kidding-

Scott

PS, I love your yard! very nice.

Last night I was scanning the stars in Cygnus and visited M45 and it was awesome flat-field viewing, Scott!

I sure wish the ED barlow would have worked out. But I'm making do with my 2-4mm Nagler zoom; this zoom is definitely designed for short f/ratio APO refractor!

Ron B[ee]

September 14, 2005 01:04 AM Forum: TeleVue

Cleaning & collimation...send back to Televue?

Posted By Ron Bee
It depends. If you're gonna clean just the front surface, I'd just call Tele Vue and get directions. But if there are lots of dust in-between the lens element and you have to disassemble the lens cell, I'd highly recommend sending it back to Tele Vue for a thorough maintenance wink. Not long ago, O'Meara did just that with his Genesis f/5.

Ron B[ee]

September 15, 2005 10:27 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Tele Vue Mars Madness rebate

Posted By Ron Bee
What can I say Michael ;-). A picture is worth a thousand wordy reviews ;-)? Yes, I'm quite happy with my Type B filter. Beware, it may not be dark enough for large aperture telescope.

Here's a picture I took a month or so ago (my first Mars image ever ;-). It shows the difference between the Type B, #21 orange and unfiltered view. The processed view can do all sort of magic with processing ;-) (eg. reduce brightness/contrast, etc.) which the eye cannot :-(.

Ron B[ee]

September 26, 2005 05:31 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

5-incher Mars 9/22

Posted By Ron Bee
Robert Heffner said:

Hi Ron, excellent images with very good detail!

Thanks you so much for your encouraging words, Robert.

Ron B[ee]

September 27, 2005 02:16 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

How is Mars oriented in my field of view?

Posted By Ron Bee
Hello there Robert,

It is confusing isn't it ;-) and of course the refractor has the "right" view ;-) since it was mostly used in classical time.

Kidding aside, I've attached an image which may help. The first image is exactly as recorded without rotation in Photoshop. As you can see, Mars' NPH is well at the top slightly tilted with the view through the diagonal and eyepiece straight up (at the time Mars was near the zenith). So the SPC is actually at the bottom.

Using classical view which refractor observers at the time do not use diagonal, the view then looks like the right hand picture rotated to have south pole pointed up, which actually viola matches the Newtonian view ;-).

Although my image does not contain Syrtis Major, the tip of Syrtis Major would have pointed downward toward the bottom of the image, i.e. northward.

Lastly, one easy way to keep from getting confused is to keep track of where the terminator is before and after opposition ;-).

Hope this help.

Ron B[ee]

September 29, 2005 12:41 AM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Question about a book.....

Posted By Ron Bee
While looking for the out-of-print book, you may want to check out this site specialized in PNs ;-).
http://www.blackskies.com/index1.html

Ron B[ee]

September 30, 2005 01:52 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Televue 85 with a nextstar go to mount?

Posted By Ron Bee
Well, don't know where to buy William, but this is how it'd look like ;-).
http://www.teleskop-service.de/Celestronseiten/Montierungen/TeleVue85NexStar.jpg

Ron B[ee]


October 3, 2005 05:00 AM Forum: Solar System Observing

Seeing Conditions and Mars, Setember 30th

Posted By Ron Bee
A great report, Darlene and you're very welcome! Those features you reported are some tough visual low contrast features! Well done, indeed!

I'm curious if I may ask; how do you like the view through your 5" APO compared to your 6" Mak Cas on Mars?

Thanks,
Ron B[ee]

October 6, 2005 12:33 PM Forum: Refractors

Which would you get?

Posted By Ron Bee
Jason Paoletti said:

Hi all. I have no experience as far as refractors go. I have an 8" Discovery Dob that just doesn't seem to get much use any more due to time constraints. I am wanting a small refractor for quick 1/2 hour sessions that will be ready to go without much cool down time. My dob can take up to an hour.

Anyway I have narrowed my search down to either the Stellarvue 80/9D on their eq mount with walnut legs or the Celestron C80ED with a Vixen Porta alt/az mount.
I do have experience with an eq mount and setting it up would not be a problem for me.

My main targets would be planetary and lunar as well as open clusters.

Both units would run me just under $1000 after getting a decent quality diagonal.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Jason

Hello there Jason,

I have an 8" Dob as well and like you I use it less than my smaller scope. Instead of only 3.1" aperture, I'd suggest looking into 4-inch aperture minimum ;-). A small 4-incher rides on small EQ mount very well and extremely quick to be deployed.

Ron the 4-inch Tall Evangelist B[ee]

October 16, 2005 06:36 AM Forum: Solar System Observing

Mars problems

Posted By Ron Bee
Hello there Jon,

Contrary to the myth ;-), planets are not affected by light pollution or the Moon (even a full Moon close by).

Mars is a difficult planet for the beginner (and returned observers also ;-). As already mentioned, wait for the planets to be high in the sky (currently around 3am local time). Also, if the seeing is bad, you may not be able see much details. Mars is currently very bright and you'll need some sort of filters for your 8-inch Dob. You may wish to consult the Mars HOW-TO to learn more on how to observe this best of the best planets ;-).
http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1208

Best wishes on your next ry.

Ron B[ee]

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