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Captured by
Lawrence Parchman

Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253)

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Posts Made By: Alex McConahay

October 12, 2006 09:39 PM Forum: Star Parties

Allright...who angered the rain Gods?

Posted By Alex McConahay
I heard this morning that we got an El Nino winter coming up!

Alex

October 15, 2006 03:05 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Please help

Posted By Alex McConahay
Jason,

Have you posted to the IP Yahoo Group?

Alex

October 16, 2006 01:16 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M15

Posted By Alex McConahay
Try selecting the center, (and putting it in a higher layer), and then inverting the selection, and processing the non-centered with more stretching. Then paste the center back in with feathering the edges.

(By the way--the original is nicer than any of my effort, so don't think I think I really know better than you!
Alex

October 18, 2006 12:41 AM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

SC vs. MC

Posted By Alex McConahay
I'd go with the SCT. It is more general purpose than the Mak. It is easier to get more magnification than it is to get wider field, in my opinion.

(And I'm only saying get the SCT because that was the only choice you gave me. The real answer--if you don't want to take your Dob--is a high quality refractor at 75 or so mm or higher (3 inch or more).

Alex

October 18, 2006 12:44 AM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Help I want to start to take photo's

Posted By Alex McConahay
You need some kind of camera adapter--Go to Anacortes and ask. They'll fix you up.

You also will need a good doctor before too long, because starting out with an SCT will drive you crazy. (Well, except for the moon)

Get a piggyback mount, and use the camera and its own lens until you get going better, then switch to a short refractor. Finally, try the SCT.

Alex

October 18, 2006 11:39 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

NGC 7331 - Deer Lick Group

Posted By Alex McConahay
You don't really see the deer licking until you have really worked on the processing for many, many hours.

Alex

PS. Nice pic!

October 23, 2006 08:35 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Suresharp vs. Flip Mirror

Posted By Alex McConahay
At one time or another I have had three flip mirrors and two Stiletto's. I have never had a Suresharp.

My impression is that you are in fact mixing apples and oranges.

The flip mirrors I have had have been quite useful for finding and centering guidestars. However, I would not trust them for focusing. There are just too many things to shift ever so slightly. I do not know of any system that is absolutely parfocal.

And besides, the flip mirror does not do what the suresharp does. The flip mirror just changes the lightpath. You still need an eyepiece to focus with. And at that point, you are not going to get as sharp a focus as with a knife edge. It is simple physiology/psychology that lets the brain adapt the eye's impression to what is sharp. Meanwhile the knife edge gives a pretty much focus/not focused answer.

At least that is the way I think it would be.

Alex

October 24, 2006 01:44 PM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

Sun is not a star

Posted By Alex McConahay
Jess,

Love it or leave it!

Alex

October 25, 2006 03:25 AM Forum: Ask rating questions here

Ok, now how to rate this deal?

Posted By Alex McConahay
Floyd,

You say that the sale was rescinded--but the way you describe it, I take it you actually completed it after negotiating the shipping?

Did a transaction take place or not?

Alex

October 26, 2006 02:15 AM Forum: Digital SLR AstroPhotography

NGC7000 region

Posted By Alex McConahay
I think it looks nice. Isn't it amazing how many different ways this area can be photographed.

Alex

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