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Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253)

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Posts Made By: Alex McConahay

March 9, 2006 11:02 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

How do you do it?

Posted By Alex McConahay
Well, over and above the obvious (some people are wealthy), you have to adjust for the fact that everybody has their priorities. Would you compare our hobby with fishermen, or ski boat enthusiasts. Or those who like to go "camping" in an RV.

Do you know what a sailboat tied up in its little dock costs? (Let's just say $500 a month would not be unheard of just for the dock fees)

While some pieces of equipment may be expensive--our hobby does not rank up at the top in terms of expense.

Alex

March 9, 2006 11:07 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

New Comet

Posted By Alex McConahay
Note the thread going on about Pojmanski in this Forum. There are several references to finder charts.

In short, get up early in the morning. Look for Venus. Look north ward and a little higher from there to a fairly bright star (Altair). Now, continue with your binoculars to a spot about three or four binocular fields north, and about as high as between Venus and Altair.

Alex

March 10, 2006 02:31 AM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

How do you do it?

Posted By Alex McConahay
Aaron,

If you have not yet done so, read "The Millionaire Next Door." It is a report on who the millionaires are. One of many points the authors make is that you cannot tell who is a millionaire by what they have. Some very common people (like Sam Walton who drove a pickup) have more than enough money. Other people driving very fancy cars are mortgaged to their eyeballs.

You just cannot tell.

Alex

March 10, 2006 04:19 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

6.3 SCT focal reducer on a refractor?

Posted By Alex McConahay
I have not done so.

Just in my brain, though, you have to remember that the SCT focal reducer is meant to not only reduce but also flatten. The SCT image plane is naturally curved, and I do not know if the corrector flattens the plane simply as part of its apparent focal length shortening, or if there is even more correction in it to flatten the field also. In short, unless the inherent curvature of the refractor is essentially the same as the SCT, it may be "flattening" to the wrong dimensions.

Alex

March 10, 2006 06:29 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

GSO eps is it true?

Posted By Alex McConahay
Remember that the people who make the Lincoln Continental also make the Ford Escort.

Just because they come out of the same factory does not mean they are the same eyepieces.

And yes, there are relatively few actual manufacturers in all the world. I've heard four. I've heard a dozen, but whatever the real number, many different brands of eyepieces come out of the same factory.

Alex

March 10, 2006 10:28 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Max magnificationg for galaxy viewing

Posted By Alex McConahay
Depends on what galaxy--

Milky Way--about 1 power.
Andromeda--About 7 to 10 (binoculars)
After that--depends on the night, and on the galaxy. I would say most observing is done at aobut 40 power.

Alex

March 11, 2006 06:11 AM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Factors to consider-FOV, exit pupil, f/?

Posted By Alex McConahay
All things being equal, the scope with the largest aperture will give you the most resolution. It will also gather the most light. Both these factors are critical.

A Mak, like the ETX is good for its specialty: A small, portable, scope with lots of magnification.

However, you will find that specialty is over-rated, except when looking at some solar system objects. ANd when portability is an issue.

Therefore, I usually recommend an 8 inch Dob as the starter scope. It gives a lot of aperture for the dollar. It is hard to outgrow it. (Yes, you can buy bigger aperture, but you'll always want a versatile eight incher around.)

Don't get caught up in the physics. Most of the things you are talking about can be adjusted by changing eyepieces.

Alex

March 12, 2006 11:55 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Cheapest way to get GOTO...

Posted By Alex McConahay
Do you really need GOTO instead of just digital setting circles?

Alex

April 25, 2006 03:38 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

CCD cameras... Beyond marketing

Posted By Alex McConahay
If your interests are deep sky, go with a good quality Digital SLR. You will have a good daytime camera as well as a terrific night time camera. This will keep you busy a long time. If you want planetary and solar system, go with a good webcam.

Alex

April 25, 2006 01:07 PM Forum: Home Observatories

Taking the plunge

Posted By Alex McConahay
Deeper is better than wider. Wider and deeper is best of all.

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