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Posts Made By: Alex McConahay

February 19, 2006 09:27 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Kauai Observing Spots

Posted By Alex McConahay
I'm not familiar specifically with this island. However, I would keep in mind when picking a spot that I want a very good southern exposure. That extra twenty degrees south in my case (and probably more for most other people because I already live fairly far south) should be the place where I want to do most of my observing.

Alex

February 20, 2006 02:14 AM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

Just a thought!

Posted By Alex McConahay
Ansu,

I assume you are talking about an engine lift--the kind you rent for a few dqys when you are removing an engine from a car to work on it.

Yes, you can--on the condition that it is on a fairly short mount. (And, of course that the OTA is not heavier than the typical engine--but if it is, you should be getting your technical advice someplace other than Astromart!!!)

The engine lifts I know of are not usually sufficiently tall to help get a tube on a mount.

Alex

February 20, 2006 04:11 PM Forum: Home Observatories

Thieves - Water tank observatory

Posted By Alex McConahay
I think you are making some assumptions that limit your design unnecessarily.

What you are after is an observatory that looks the same as a water tank. Same corugated metal top on top of the same sheetmetal cone cap. The assumption you make that I think is not necessary is that you have to rotate the top half of the water tank. This leads to your other (in my mind unnecessary) assumption that the split would be in the middle of the tank (Top half you call it.).

Why don't you just rotate the top. The "split" would just be under the eaves of the sheetmetal top. The split between the main tank and the sheetmetal top would not be noticeable from the road. The top is all that would need to rotate. You could make it rotate the same way a traditional fiberglass dome would rotate.

Alex

February 22, 2006 01:41 AM Forum: Star Parties

Libya Eclipse Trip

Posted By Alex McConahay
Aram and Travelquest is the best. He will take care of you.

ALex

February 26, 2006 07:16 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

6.3 focal reducer problems with a C8

Posted By Alex McConahay
They should be interchangeable. Meade's and Celestron's should work the same. It is hard to believe that you can't bring it to focus on an SCT. they have a lot of focuser travel.

Please tell us the order of attachments, starting at the tube and ending at the eyepeice, what you have on the back of your scope. I suspect you have something there you do not need.

Alex

February 26, 2006 10:27 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

6.3 focal reducer problems with a C8

Posted By Alex McConahay
Well, Dwight, you should have no problems with that setup. And it should not matter what focal length eyepiece you use. As I said before, SCT's are famous for their great range of focus travel.

I would suggest you swap a different focal reducer in, and try yours in somebody else's sct.

Sorry, I cannot think of anything different.

Oh, one other point--as you travel from one end to the other--does it appear to be getting better, and then start getting worse. In other words, do you travel past apparent focus without it ever getting as sharp as you want, and then start getting fuzzier?

Alex


Alex

March 1, 2006 02:47 AM Forum: Digital SLR AstroPhotography

M44

Posted By Alex McConahay
Nice--I invested in an AC supply--$65 or so dollars, and it means I can run all night without worrying about what my batteries are doing.

Alex

March 2, 2006 07:21 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Where to find parts for CG4/EQ3 mount?

Posted By Alex McConahay
Run down to Ace hardware with it and see what you can pick up. These things are generally standard dimension screws.

Alex

March 3, 2006 11:42 PM Forum: Digital SLR AstroPhotography

Venus and the Moon from the Naylor Observatory

Posted By Alex McConahay
Now, that is really pretty--I like it better with the addition of the foreground.

Sometimes our astrophotos concentrate so much on sharpness and detail that we forget compostion. But the observatory and such in the foreground make this a much more memorable shot.

Alex

March 4, 2006 11:07 PM Forum: Home Observatories

My roll-off shed

Posted By Alex McConahay
Hey I just (almost) finished mine----you copied me before I got mine even finished!!!

I'll put a pic of mine up when I get back from the eclipse.

Alex

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