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Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253)

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Posts Made By: Alex McConahay

January 22, 2006 06:56 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

???Does anyone know anything about this scope???

Posted By Alex McConahay
You know, it just occurred to me. If that is not a Starfinder EQ mount, then the tube has been movced from another scope. That means it may be a Dob-mounted starfinder originally.

The optics, etc. would be the same. But--The mirror cell would be much different. They were not designed to be spun around the way an eq mount is. That would be something to consider.

Alex

January 22, 2006 07:16 PM Forum: Landscape Photography

Joshua Tree Nat'l Park

Posted By Alex McConahay
Cool, Mark (especially this weekend--It got down to 23 d at our nearby observing place).

I love JTNP.

Alex

January 22, 2006 08:59 PM Forum: Film Astrophotography - Imaging and Processing

How's This For A Photo "Gremlin"?

Posted By Alex McConahay
When I started out in astrophotography I was told by an expert that there were seven things that could go wrong in astrophotography (focus, tracking, guiding, exposure, seeing, framing and composition, Gremlins.....)

With my own experiences, I have since greatly expanded the list.

Your find was not, however on my list.

Alex

January 24, 2006 03:46 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

paramountME

Posted By Alex McConahay
Apparently, yes.

The other night, I was watching one work. I saw it flip the meridian, and then continue its imaging. it took some god-awful number of exposures that night. It's owner was asleep the whole time. He said it did its thing wonderfully well and he got great data, including the meridian flip. And after the flip, it was right where it belonged.

It sure is smart.

Alex

January 25, 2006 01:27 AM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

How do I get the mirror to shine again

Posted By Alex McConahay
Robert--

At the risk of sounding like a certain fellow who posts "the sky is falling" scenarios rather frequently down in the Telescope Making section, I would like to point out to those newbies reading the Beginner's Forum here that Robert is joking. He has the steps right on mirror cleaning (well, except the scrub brush part), but don't follow his directions exactly.

Alex

January 25, 2006 02:38 PM Forum: Digital SLR AstroPhotography

The Earth's Shadow, the Belt of Venus, and the Moon

Posted By Alex McConahay
That's pretty, Dave.

Alex

January 26, 2006 02:44 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

best-at-(blank) telescope for $1,500?

Posted By Alex McConahay
Ruslan,

You ask an interesting question. Instead of buying a "Starter scope" and then moving up later, you are porposing buying your first "Keeper" scope. And then adding other Keeper's later.

From my experience and from what I have heard, once they have bought quality representatives of the following, they really never get rid of them:

a three or four inch apo on a portable (primarily) and solid (secondarily) equatorial mount,
a portable eight inch Dob

Therefore, if I had no scopes and did not want to step up through the years, I would probably buy the Dob and the refractor.

Alex

January 26, 2006 02:49 PM Forum: Film Astrophotography - Imaging and Processing

Using the Meade ETX series for photos

Posted By Alex McConahay
Yes, you can take pictures with it.

But it will be tough to do. And especially with film.

The mount is next to impossible for anything except wide-field, short exposures--that is, a 55 or shorter lens on a camera riding piggyback.

You may be able to take solar or lunar pictures through the actual tube.

Other than that, I don't think you should try to take a picture with it.

Save your money.

Alex

February 1, 2006 08:01 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Highlands Astroshack website completed.

Posted By Alex McConahay
Cool. You did a good job on the website.

Alex

February 2, 2006 10:58 PM Forum: Film Astrophotography - Imaging and Processing

Lens problems

Posted By Alex McConahay
Jon--

What is the slide? I am not familiar with that on a lens.....

And that is a very artistic shot.

By the way--it doesn't really matter how old something gets if it still works. FIne things don't wear out, really.

Alex

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