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RICHARD COFER

VdB 141 Ghost Nebula

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Posts Made By: Glenn Olson

July 17, 2003 12:35 PM Forum: Telescope Making

6" folded refractor

Posted By Glenn Olson
Can anyone point me to a resource for building a folded refractor? I have a 6" f/12 (originally from a 1985 AP Superplanetary) that I would like to put in a more compact tube. I need help on everything - secondary and tertiary mirror sizes and placement, mirror cells, collimation, etc. Any advice is appreciated.
Another option (and perhaps this doesn't belong in the TM forum) would be to contract out the tube assembly, less the objective. If anyone knows anybody that does this type of work, please let me know.

October 27, 2003 01:38 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Old Moon

Posted By Glenn Olson
Hi All,
This image was taken on the morning of 10/24, about 25 hours before new. Can anyone help me clean up the image? I have PS Elements, but I was unable to do any good. I also took 10 images hoping to stack them with Registax, but only 3 or 4 came out any good, and I had a problem with the large file size (the originals are 1.2meg files). Any help would be appreciated.

January 7, 2004 07:20 PM Forum: Investment Discussions

Where to now?

Posted By Glenn Olson
I'm interested in y'alls thoughts these days. Last fall I was mildly bullish, and of course I should have been STRONGLY bullish. I'm a bit uncomfortable at todays levels.

August 1, 2003 12:27 PM Forum: Home Observatories

What would you do?????

Posted By Glenn Olson
Robert, I guess by now you can see a concensus forming - DO NOT SELL THE SCOPE! But let me offer another option: remove the lens and cell (carefully!) and build a folded refractor. You would need to buy a couple of flat mirrors, which aren't cheap, but you could end up with a 9" diameter tube only 24" long.

Even if you decide to do this, store the tube so you can put it back in its original configuration in the future. That scope is a collectors item, and it is your responsibility to preserve it for future generations. Seriously. I have one, too. Bought it in 1988 for the Mars apparition that year. Paid $1675 for it, I think. Waiting period was only 6 months back then

August 1, 2003 08:47 PM Forum: Home Observatories

repeatability with a GEM

Posted By Glenn Olson
Robert - The polar alignment of the mount is independent of the optical alignment of the tube with the mount. If the polar alignment of the mount is precise, the scope will track well regardless of any errors is the optical alignment with the polar axis. That being said, it seems to me that any self-respecting goto mount will be capable of putting the desired object inside of the feild of view of a low power eyepiece, especially if you take the time to calibrate the goto mount on a star of know coordinates. I have an old non-goto mount and have no problem swapping my OTA, and I only use old fashion setting circles. Having the mount permanently located will make all the difference.


August 15, 2003 12:32 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Mars from Michigan

Posted By Glenn Olson
Very nice, Joe. What equipment do you use?

August 20, 2003 03:03 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

.mp2 to .avi conversion

Posted By Glenn Olson
Mystik Media has a program called ContextConvert Pro that you can try free for 15 days. It works pretty well.

October 30, 2003 01:16 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Old Moon

Posted By Glenn Olson
Thanks, everybody! I am going to try some of these techniques on the original - if I come up with anything worth posting, I will. What a great website and a great group of guys that are so generous with their time - thanks again! Glenn

PS - I think this is about the oldest moon one can see from the Houston area, because of all the humidity and haze, but I was amazed that it is nowhere close to the record!

December 2, 2003 01:51 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Witch Head Nebula with Canon 10D

Posted By Glenn Olson
Rick, you take some incredible shots! I have downloaded many of your images into a file that I use for my screen saver.
What kind of skies do you have there in Scottsdale? Surely all these great shots aren't from suberbia with 3.0 mag limit skies? All the best - Glenn

January 7, 2004 07:12 PM Forum: Home Observatories

Need help

Posted By Glenn Olson
Chote,
I have a similar situation. Here in Houston, Texas, our summers are about the same as the weather you have year round in Bangkok. I use 2 large plastic trash bags (one inside the other for a double layer). Here in the US they are sold as "Contractor Cleanup Bags" at hardware stores. These heavy-duty bags are 3 mils thick, about 1 meter tall, maybe .75 meter diameter. It works very well, but the bags eventually need to be replaced. Also, some oxidation still occurs just from exposure to the heat and humidity. It would be nice to keep a small nitrogen purge under the bag, but I haven't arranged that yet.
By the way, I used to travel to Asia on business, and Bangkok was always a favorite stop. Although the traffic was bad, the people were always friendly.
All the best - Glenn

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