Image of the day

Captured by
Arthur Hogan

Heart and Soul Nebulas

About Astromart

My Account

New to Astromart?

Register an account...

Need Help?

Posts Made By: John Holt

April 2, 2006 02:24 AM Forum: Reflectors

Thermal Scarf

Posted By John Holt
Heard of it. It's old school and I believe properly for plate glass? Pyrex and active cooling may have somewhat out-moded it. Having said that, I plan to try it on my 13" because it is plate and it would be a pretty inexpencive experiment.

April 9, 2006 09:23 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Well, now what to keep and what to sell?

Posted By John Holt
>>What would you keep and what would you sell?<<

--------------

As highly as you have spoken of your 20mm T-2, don't sell it. I think you would regret it.

April 22, 2006 04:31 PM Forum: Eyepieces

which barlow

Posted By John Holt
I have always regretted selling my Klee. One of these days...

April 23, 2006 02:25 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

EQ Newt vs. Dobsonian for Planetary Viewing?

Posted By John Holt
>>Is it very difficult to keep a planet in the FOV under high magnification with a 6 or 8 inch Dob?<<


The best method is to not try to keep the planet in the field of view. But rather allow it to drift through your eyepiece field. Then re-align the scope for successive passes. Smooth scope movements are very important to make this fun and easy.

There is no question that a tracking mount is very desirable. But specifically a really really stable tracking mount for high power observing. That's the other half of the equation here, and can't be over emphasized. Dobsonian mounts are very stable.

April 23, 2006 11:45 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Intelliscope vs. another 2" of aperture

Posted By John Holt
More aperture.

April 29, 2006 11:47 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

What is the best book for beginners

Posted By John Holt
The Bright Star Atlas is another good one.
Around ten bucks.

April 30, 2006 01:44 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Grab & Go - Your Opinion?

Posted By John Holt
How about a Starblast?

May 27, 2006 10:03 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Filter Placement Question...

Posted By John Holt
I alway position the filter in first,
before adding the coffee.



UO MK's are threaded for filters on both ends. Blinking for planetaries is done from the eyeball end of the ep. My Lumicons change the focus point ever so slightly when threaded into the bottom of an ep. Top placement might do something too, but it still works.

The only downside that I suspect is keeping the filters as clean when on top.

May 29, 2006 07:32 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

How much good does a good diagonal do?

Posted By John Holt
It would make some difference. But is no substitute for aperture.

June 5, 2006 12:02 AM Forum: Solar System Observing

Projection Solar Viewing

Posted By John Holt
Eyepiece projection works. I have done it for many years with a 4" newt, with plossls, kellners and barlow. Ep's have never gotten hot. Even during eclipse runs.

Remove the finder! It ain't needed anyway.
Never leave the scope unattended, as already mentioned.
Pick up few modest plossl's, dedicated for just this. You can experiment on which focal lengths you might want by Lunar projection.
Always cap the scope first when packing up. The only ep I've ever smoked was one I capped before the scope. Ruined a perfectly good ep in a wink.

Funding Member

Sponsors


View all sponsors

Search