Image of the day

Captured by
Mark Eby

NGC7293 Helix Nebula

About Astromart

My Account

New to Astromart?

Register an account...

Need Help?

Posts Made By: Hugh Bartlett

December 29, 2008 02:52 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Collins Image Intensifier EP

Posted By Hugh Bartlett
I know there are some reviews out there, but I'll add my $0.02. As is, I'd say it's a bust; but with an H-Alpha filter ($200-$300), it is miraculous what faint nebulae I have been able to see in detail from light polluted locations. I'd say it is totally worth it if you can pick one up on Astromart for $1,500 or so, whether it is the original or the new thin-film version, and add an H-Alpha filter.

One caveat: it takes more in-focus travel than many scopes have. I lucked out with my 10" Dob, but had to countersink my collimation bolts to get it to focus on my 12.5" DSE.

Cheers,
Hugh

January 1, 2009 09:29 PM Forum: ASTRONOMY

Kid's Telescope Advice

Posted By Hugh Bartlett
Tracking makes public sharing a whole lot easier. If the SVP is too bulky, try Orion's TeleTrack mount, or, for a little more money, the iOptron Cube, which Orion also sells.

For weight and size considerations, I like the Borg refractors, but a small Mak might be a good choice for the brighter showpieces (Moon and planets) you can see readily from light-polluted locations.

Hugh Bartlett

January 13, 2009 04:24 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Some good light weight refractor telescopes?

Posted By Hugh Bartlett
I like George's suggestion of an 8" Dob for hunting down Messier objects, but if you must have a refractor, I'd consider an Orion (or similar) Short-Tube 120mm f/5 on a simple Alt-Az mount. I like the Unistar mounts, but Orion sells a VersaGo mount that would be easy to use. However, it is not going to go as deep as the 8" Dob; it won't be as good on planets; and it is going to cost about twice as much.

OTOH, you could try doing a binocular Marathon, and upgrade your binoculars to 15x70's on a parallelogram mount. They should be capable of pulling in 50 objects off the M list.

January 23, 2009 07:54 PM Forum: Global Warming - REAL or NOT

I don't much care...

Posted By Hugh Bartlett
My own views closely match yours - whether or not humans are causing a global warming crisis, there are plenty of good reasons to reduce our consumption of non-renewable resources and stop polluting the planet.

As long as public policy on global warming pursues these objectives with a balanced view of our economic health, I can live with an ends-justifies-the-means argument. As much as I'd prefer a more honest presentation of the science, I can take some comfort in knowing that environmentally-friendly results will come from the enflamed rhetoric of the day.

January 23, 2009 08:03 PM Forum: Global Warming - REAL or NOT

Global Warming Threatens Forests

Posted By Hugh Bartlett
I think this is another case of media spin. The scientists actually concluded that warming MAY (emphasis added) be causing the die-off. It is more a process of elimination than any direct link. I want to reserve judgement until I read the all the arguments on this one. Perhaps air pollution from rapidly growing industries in China is a more significant contributing factor to the increased tree mortality along the west coast of North America.

January 23, 2009 11:34 PM Forum: Global Warming - REAL or NOT

Antarctica warming

Posted By Hugh Bartlett
It appears this "finding" is also not without some controversy:


http://wattsupwiththat.com/2009/01/21/antarctica-warming-an-evolution-of-viewpoint/
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2009/01/22/antarctic-warming-part-2-a-letter-from-a-meteorologist-on-the-ground-in-antarctica/

February 3, 2009 01:41 AM Forum: Global Warming - REAL or NOT

Monaco Declaration - Acidifying oceans

Posted By Hugh Bartlett
I don't buy it. Coral reefs have existed though times of much higher CO2 concentrations and higher global temperatures. If something is killing the coral, it is much more likely human pollution or a natural enemy.

February 5, 2009 03:07 AM Forum: Global Warming - REAL or NOT

GW and Agriculture

Posted By Hugh Bartlett
Interestingly, John Christy, a climate scientist studying the troposphere, researched temperatures in California and found a link between atmospheric warming and agriculture. He found the temperatures in the Sierras, where the climate models predict temperatures to rise due to the greenhouse effect, are actually quite stable over the last century. On the other hand, the valley has warmed significantly due to the artificial irrigation. Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WWpH0lmcxA&feature=related

February 7, 2009 05:14 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

DSO binoculars.

Posted By Hugh Bartlett
Good question! I have both, but if I had to choose, I'd go with my 15x70 or my 20x80 binoculars. At about 3 pounds, they can be hand-held for real quick looks, which a telescope cannot. The view improves immensely with a tripod, but two eyes are still better than one. Magnification at 15-20x is sufficient (IMHO) for the DSO's that show best at this aperture.

February 8, 2009 04:49 AM Forum: Global Warming - REAL or NOT

Dr. John Christy responds to allegations

Posted By Hugh Bartlett
Thanks, Doug. It is refreshing to get beyond the ad hominem attacks, and hear from someone actively involved in researching the way the real climate works.

Funding Member

Telescopes, Astronomy, Binoculars

Sponsors


View all sponsors

Search