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Lawrence Parchman

Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253)

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Posts Made By: Kevin Beebe

October 30, 2007 12:10 AM Forum: Solar System Observing

Comet 17P/Holmes on Sunday Night, 2007/10/28

Posted By Kevin Beebe
I've been trying to take a look at it through binoculars each night. I was also shocked at how big and bright it was. I also saw it in my 28" scope on Saturday night, just a day or two after full moon. I thought it looked great, but some guests that were over that night (non-astro folks) didn't seem too impressed. I think they were expecting a tail. :S
(but they loved the moon)

April 9, 2008 12:50 AM Forum: Reflectors

The Jump from 18" to 28"

Posted By Kevin Beebe
I have a 28" f/3.6 Webster telescope and a 16" f/4.5 and the difference is remarkable. I'm a little taller than average, but I use a 3-step ladder and very rarely use the top step with the 28". Most of the time, I'm only 1-2 steps off the ground. Also, I got a ladder with wide steps, which is a lot easier on the feet.

I can say that Kennedy makes excellent mirrors, even at that focal ratio. And the Webster scope is also very nice.

I keep a Paracorr in the focuser on a pretty permanent basis, unless I have the binoviewer in. For eyepieces, a 26mm Nagler is about the longest focal length I use. I mostly use either the 20mm or 17mm Nagler as a "finder" EP.

April 25, 2008 06:28 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Sizing Teflon

Posted By Kevin Beebe
No, I don't think you need to cut them down. The book "The Dobsonian Telescope" by Kriege and Berry recommends between 10 and 15 psi, so you're right in there.

April 27, 2008 09:54 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Weight of a 10" mirror?

Posted By Kevin Beebe
I just sent a mirror to the coaters. It was 1.6" thick, and weighed 9 lbs. 14.5 oz.

April 10, 2009 04:22 AM Forum: Astro-Physics

Amart auction AP Traveler

Posted By Kevin Beebe
jim chung said:

I was just curious if anyone knew why this AP Traveler auction is doing so well, poised to break past 5k. Given the current economy I wouldn't have expected these prices.



A friend of mine said he expects prices of some collectibles (he used the example of Corvettes) to go up in a bad economy, because people who would normally invest in things like the stock market have pulled their money out and are looking for a place to put it until things turn around.

April 14, 2009 04:43 AM Forum: Eyepieces

Full set of Naglers...

Posted By Kevin Beebe
I paid around $2500 for my "complete set". It includes the 26T5, the 20T5 (bought new), 16T5, 13, 11, 9, 7, and 5mm type 6, and the 3-6mm zoom. I don't have the 31mm or the 2.5mm or 3.5mm.

February 22, 2012 04:47 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

What are your most unforgettable telescopic sights

Posted By Kevin Beebe
Finding M51 with a borrowed 20" Obsession and Telrad at Montana StarWatch. I could see the spirals and connecting bridge with ease. Ended up getting a dob not too long after that.

M31 at the Oregon Star Party through a 22" binoscope.

M31, M32, and M110 in the same field with a 6".

Saturn at about 950x through my 22".

First view of the Veil with my 28".

The Milky Way at an extremely dark site.

"Discovering" M31 under a full moon. Was just panning around. Saw some nebulosity. Studied it for a while. Thought, "Maybe that's a comet." Pulled out the Star Atlas 2000 and there was a giant red ellipse right where my comet was.

January 10, 2005 11:27 PM Forum: Polls

I believe that......

Posted By Kevin Beebe
Not everyone thinks there's conflict between science and religion.

It depends on how you define "science" and "religion". Which religion are you talking about? But I won't go there.

Science has traditionally meant the study of how the universe operates, or what are the physical laws. Lately, that has changed a little bit. It is not uncommon to hear people limit science to only natural events. This eliminates the possibility of God's existence. The problem is, if there is a god and he did create something, then this "science" has no way of determining whether or not that god exists or whether, or not he performed some sort of miracle.

September 12, 2005 11:18 PM Forum: Polls

ATWB buying and selling used on AstroMart

Posted By Kevin Beebe
I think selling is fine/great/dandy.
My concern is ATWB snatching up all the "good deals". Maybe if ATWB agreed not to contact sellers until regular users had a chance to buy it. Like wait a week, or so.

September 14, 2005 01:16 AM Forum: Polls

ATWB buying and selling used on AstroMart

Posted By Kevin Beebe
My thoughts exactly!

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