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Posts Made By: Ken Fiscus

May 8, 2006 09:34 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

What is the best book for beginners

Posted By Ken Fiscus
My favorite is an "oldy but goody"- the Edmund Sky Guide. Nice variety, lots of doable hit lists.

May 24, 2006 03:08 AM Forum: After Dark

First Outreach Attempt / Seeking Object Advice

Posted By Ken Fiscus
I know you will be alone on this one but a great crowd pleaser I use to keep the natives from getting too restless is a TV/VCR unit hooked up to a Meade digital EP on a planet like Jupiter or Saturn (the moon is the best when visible.) I use an equatorial platform driving a dob or Astroscan. If the platform is aligned well, that gives me time to keep my main scope on target. A volunteer from the crowd can be deputized to keep the object centered and to explain the view- pointing out faint moons of Saturn, for example. It's amazing how many times newbies will lean on a scope to steady themselves in the dark.

To add another object to your list, try Polaris to show its companion. This is a good one for a dob pusher like me, no tracking!

May 24, 2006 03:40 AM Forum: Film Astrophotography - Imaging and Processing

m101

Posted By Ken Fiscus
One word... beautiful!

May 25, 2006 08:06 PM Forum: Ask rating questions here

ratings after a purchase

Posted By Ken Fiscus
One thing I found out the hard way, don't DELETE your ad until everything including ratings is done. Just mark your ad as sold. Ratings can't be exchanged if the ad isn't available to refer to. If you are the buyer, mention that you are trying to build a good rating and ask the seller to mark the ad as sold but to NOT delete the ad.

Some more Astromart advice. Keep a detailed log of ALL of your Astromart deals. I record the following information: Ad#, date, description of item(s), price, shipping arrangements, the other person's name, their address, e-mail address, phone (if given), when I mailed payment, check #, rating and date I gave it. This has come in very handy several times. I have done around 140 deals and about 25 people haven't rated me, some even after being kindly reminded.

June 8, 2006 08:38 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Projection Solar Viewing

Posted By Ken Fiscus
In my pre-PST days, I used a projection box behind a homemade 3" refractor. The box was a truncated square-based pyramid made of white building board (the foam and posterboard stuff used to make model houses and display boards). The interior was lined with black felt. Viewing of the projected image on the box's bottom was done through a small window in one side. The box was mounted to the scope with 2 wooden yardsticks and large pipe clamps that supported it. The box couldn't be used on windy days because it was so large and light.

June 22, 2006 08:01 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Astroscan fan club out there?

Posted By Ken Fiscus
I've owned 3 since getting started in 1981. An Astroscan was my first scope and I sold it while in college to help pay for my 10" dob. I regretted not having the ultimate 'grab-and-go' scope so bought 2 used ones through the years. I use one Astroscan as a devoted video scope with a heavy-duty bracket holding my VHS-C camcorder to the focuser for eyepiece projection. (Mercury transit 1999 and lots of solar video.)

I used to recommend the Astroscan to anyone wanting to buy a scope for a kid but have switched allegiance to the XT4.5. Reasons? Better views at higher powers and I can't stand the friction focuser. Has anyone out there upgraded their Astromart focuser to a rack-and-pinion?

June 23, 2006 01:27 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Should I go Orion, or build my own dob?

Posted By Ken Fiscus
Another in agreement...
Buy a new or used 10" dob. You can pick up a good XT10 here and sell it down the road for the same money. Build your own projects during and later. I've built several dob projects and all you need is patience, good materials (Baltic Birch ply for example), and access to a table saw, band saw, and sanders. Check my profile to see my previous postings and pix of some of my woodwork. Most done with tools borrowed from a friend and work done in a basement and unheated garage (in Minnesota!).

July 18, 2006 03:27 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Need a quick answer, please......

Posted By Ken Fiscus
If at all possible, get the pier done first and completely isolate it from the floor. As for height, I'd rather have it be too short than too tall. It's easier to add than subtract height. Include good mounting bolts in the pier and some conduit for cables (present and future). Good luck.

October 8, 2006 04:37 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

I got slugged & slimed in the same night!

Posted By Ken Fiscus
Thanks a lot! Something new to worry about! And to think- my greatest fear has been stepping on a skunk.

January 1, 2007 02:30 PM Forum: Reflectors

Help me choose!

Posted By Ken Fiscus
What I would do if I were you(and hope to do myself some day) is decide on your next scope and then hang out on Astromart classifieds EVERY day. You will see people selling "dream scopes" at serious discounts and you won't have the months/years of waiting lists. If you found a well-rated seller, jump on it, even if you have to drive a long way. I'd personally drive over 2,000 miles round trip if I had the money to close a deal. Happy 2007!

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