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Posts Made By: Dave Mitsky

January 26, 2003 03:36 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Amazing

Posted By Dave Mitsky
That's a rather personal question isn't it, Daryl?

On a serious note my first true exposure to the southern sky was rather amazing.

Dave Mitsky

January 31, 2003 09:29 AM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

The Horsehead Nebula

Posted By Dave Mitsky
I've logged B33 with apertures ranging from 13.1" (Coulter) to 36" (the Tectron Yard Scope) when conditions were excellent. Using a 20" Starmaster on a superb night at CSSP last September I was able to view the Horsehead Nebula without an H-beta filter for the first time.

If NGC 2024 (the Flame Nebula) isn't readily visible you won't stand a chance with B33.

Dave Mitsky

February 8, 2003 06:37 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Views Better than the Pictures

Posted By Dave Mitsky
Because the human eye has a greater dynamic range than any imaging technology open star clusters (and to some extent globular clusters) almost always look better through an eyepiece to me.

Dave Mitsky

February 16, 2003 05:48 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

2" or 1.25" wide angle

Posted By Dave Mitsky
I believe that you are referring to Nagler eyepieces with a hybrid 1.25"/2" barrel. This is a feature designed for safety and convenience and has nothing to do with optics. Using a focal length of less than 17mm in a 2" format yields no optical advantage.

Dave Mitsky

February 20, 2003 03:28 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

9mm Nagler T6 vs. earlier versions of the same?

Posted By Dave Mitsky
I haven't done a direct comparison since I sold my 9mm type 1 long ago. However, I did compare my old 7mm type 1 to the 7mm type 6 that superseded it. The type 1 did not fare well.

The type 6 Naglers are superb eyepieces for both planetary and deep-sky observing.

Dave Mitsky

March 3, 2003 01:16 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Best Contrast Eyepieces

Posted By Dave Mitsky
The best that I've ever used are the Zeiss Abbe orthos but we all know that story I suppose.

Dave Mitsky

March 6, 2003 07:47 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Panoptics

Posted By Dave Mitsky
Bill,

Rectilinear distortion (pincushion in this case) is the price one pays for the excellent edge correction (i.e., lack of astigmatism) that the Panoptic series provides. I've owned three Panoptics including the 35mm and have been very satisfied with their performance.

Dave Mitsky

March 8, 2003 01:28 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Planetary Eyepieces (Part 1)

Posted By Dave Mitsky
Carlos,

How are you defining off-axis definition (no pun intended)? If you mean the spot size increase due to astigmatism I find it hard to agree with your figure (the outer 50% of the AFOV) regarding the Nagler design.

Dave Mitsky

March 8, 2003 02:26 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Planetary Eyepiece (Part 2)

Posted By Dave Mitsky
Carlos,

Have you tried the type 6 Naglers? Many observers, myself included, have found them to be excellent for planetary work as well as deep-sky observing. (In fact, I am considering selling my 8mm Radian to partially finance the purchase of a 5mm type 6.)

I once owned a 6.7mm Meade UWA (the original version) but never felt it was a particularly good planetary eyepiece. Neither was the 7mm Nagler type 1, IMO, that eventually replaced it. However, I was very pleasantly surprised with the performance of the 7mm type 6 that I purchased at the NEAF last year.

I've also used or own U.O. orthos, Tele Vue Ploessls, Brandons, Pentax SMC orthos and XLs, Zeiss Abbe orthos, Orion Lanthanum Superwides, and Takahashi LEs. The Zeiss and Pentax orthoscopics were very impresssive indeed.

Dave Mitsky

March 8, 2003 02:32 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

4" APO or 5" Achro???

Posted By Dave Mitsky
IMO, the "magic" of a 5" refractor has more to do with its increased resolution and light grasp than dealing with aperture limiting seeing conditions.

Dave Mitsky

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