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Posts Made By: Rick Wiseman

February 7, 2006 02:47 PM Forum: Star Parties

Butler County Pa Star parties??

Posted By Rick Wiseman
Oh, they're having parties in the Pittsburgh area! grin

Rick "Bears fan" Wiseman

February 15, 2006 08:49 PM Forum: After Dark

Sadness & Fear

Posted By Rick Wiseman
Carl,

First of all, have faith in the market. It would be a mistake for new owners to change the format of the magazine and lose their readers. But, I admit, other publications have gone this way down the tubes before. As long as there is a market for it, I think a magazine with the technical level of Sky and Telescope will exist. There might be some painful transition years to come, though.

Second, have faith in people of faith, like myself. Why are some people so afraid of Christians? This is the USA, and we are all entitled to our opinions. So many people are afraid other people will "take over" and "force their beliefs on them." Well, hopefully the American system and American individuals are strong enough to prevent that from happening.

Let's all meet in the Religion forum. What are you afraid of?
"The only thing to fear, is fear itself." - Franklin D. Roosevelt.
"Be not afraid." - Jesus Christ.
Who ya gonna listen to?

Good bye,
Rick W

February 22, 2006 01:31 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Mars Observations (February 19, 2006)

Posted By Rick Wiseman
Carlos,

As always, the Astromarters thank you for the sketches.

I made an observation of Mars last evening using my 90mm. Could still see the small rusty colored gibbous disk, and some hints of surface features. No filters, other than a thin cloud cover.

Regards,
Rick W

February 27, 2006 01:45 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

A Nova and a Supernova among Other Things

Posted By Rick Wiseman
Dave,

Thanks for the great observing report. I know how you feel about the clouds rolling in and rolling out again. (Sounds like "Sittin' on the dock of the bay" smile ) Sometimes my wife says "Why do you keep looking out the window?"

Regards from Ohio,
Rick

March 31, 2006 01:59 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Deep-sky objects in Scorpius -advice needed

Posted By Rick Wiseman
Inge,

One DSO I think you will enjoy in Scorpius is the small globular cluster NGC6144. It is very near the red star G Sco at the very end of the "tail" of the scorpion. The combination of the red star and globular is interesting.

Regards,
Rick, Ohio

April 19, 2006 07:52 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Kellners! thoughts, mini review, and photo

Posted By Rick Wiseman
John,

I have a K 25 Kellner, just like the one on your picture and I love it. I bought it from Coulter (I think!) in the mid-70's.

I use it happily with my 4.5" f-4 and my 90mm f11.1. Stars bloom a bit near the edges with my f-4, but are pretty clear with the f-11 to the edge.

Rick

May 1, 2006 04:02 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Last night of the season

Posted By Rick Wiseman
Dmitri,

How is it that you change from two hours of darkness on one night to none on the next night? Are you considering the moon as disturbing your ability to see DSO's? Or is the change more gradual than that?

It still amazes me, even though I do understand it, that in Scnadanavia you must stop amateur astronomy from May until August.

Regards from 40 north,
Rick

May 19, 2006 07:35 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Leaving cloudy skies and bright nights behind

Posted By Rick Wiseman
Inge,

Best wishes on your trip! We all await your observing reports. I know you will take the time to just enjoy the dark skies and Milky Way using your unaided eyes.

I will be away for a few weeks too, following shoulder "rotator cuff" surgery. (No internet access for a time.) Having one arm in a sling will NOT keep me from using my telescopes!

Regards and deep, dark skies,
Rick Wiseman

June 16, 2006 04:41 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Astronomy season 2005/2006. Looking back

Posted By Rick Wiseman
Inge,

thank you for posting your highlights for the year. I alway enjoy reading about your exploits.

As for myself, my "fiscal year" ends with February, simply because that is when I renewed my interest a few years ago. I printed my observing logs for the year - 47 single spaced pages. I collected some statistics about the number of sessions, total hours spent observing, etc. I will dig those stats up and post them later.

One of my highlights was observing M77, M74 and M76 last autumn, using my 90mm refractor. By getting these three, I was able to finish the Messier list this spring - one of next year's highlights!

Like you, I also count observing Mars as a big highlight for the year. Seeing some details using the little scope, and even seeing Mars move in close, getting bigger until opposition, then getting smaller. I observed Mars last week, and can still see the tiny red disk.

Best wishes,
Rick

June 23, 2006 07:48 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Your minimum mag for splitting Double-Double

Posted By Rick Wiseman
Phillip,

I split it easily at 133x with my 90mm achro refractor. I will try it this weekend at 80x. My eyesight is not the best, though . . .

Rick

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