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Posts Made By: James DellaPenna

March 5, 2003 12:09 AM Forum: Eyepieces

Orion Lanthanum Super Wides?

Posted By James DellaPenna
I am considering purchase of Orion Lanthanum Super Wides in the 13mm and 8mm sizes, primarily for large eye relief. Does anyone have experience with either of these sizes. If so, I would appreciate your comments regarding their overall quality, clarity, and brightness. Thank you.

March 12, 2003 12:43 AM Forum: Eyepieces

1 1/2" eyepices--vs.--2" eyepieces @ 32mm?

Posted By James DellaPenna
At what focal length is it no longer practical to stay with 1 1/2" eyepieces in favor of 2" eyepieces? I have read that at some point you are just looking at the insides of the eyepiece barrel unless you move up to 2". Also, what is the influence of advertised FOV in respect to this decision?

I have a Meade Series 500 40mm plossl which came with the used scope I purchased (f/10 C9.25). The difficulty seeing anything with this eyepiece unless I am dead center with my head in a vise makes this piece just about worthless to me. The next nearest focal length I have is the Celestron silver top 25mm plossl. Without trying someone else's eyepieces in my scope I'm fearful that something like a Meade 32mm SP or Celestron 30mm Ultima may prove a dissapointment when I should really be considering something like the 2" Meade 32mm SW or other similar eyepieces.

Can one really get good 32mm performance with 1 1/2" eyepieces or is this pushing the limit?

March 16, 2003 03:12 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Meade 2" 56mm SP?

Posted By James DellaPenna
Been looking at the possibility of getting the Meade 2" 40mm Superwide but the 2" 56mm SP would provide greater TFOV. Anyone have personal experience with the 56mm? Comments?

March 18, 2003 02:44 AM Forum: Home Observatories

Skytents out of business?

Posted By James DellaPenna
Anybody know if Skytents is out of business? Skytents.com yields zero results and previously published phone & fax numbers have been disconnected.

March 27, 2003 06:40 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Re: Celestron 9.25 tube diameter ?

Posted By James DellaPenna
Art,

The tub itself is 10 11/32 " diameter. If you measure on the ends where the front and rear castings are located it is 10 17/32".

Jim

March 30, 2003 03:50 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Europa surprise for science fair kids.

Posted By James DellaPenna
On the 27th I was one of 4 scopers set up for an elementary school science fair and was assigned Jupiter. With 100 students & 200 parents I was repeatedly telling everyone that tonight Europa was hiding behind Jupiter. Half way through the session one observant child asked "What's the little point of light right at the edge of the planet?" After taking a quick look I congratulated him at being the first student to catch Europa popping out from behind Jupiter! Several students who had previously seen only 3 moons suddenly wanted to see the new one, making for an exciting surprise for many who had never seen through a large amatuer telescope. It's the little moments like this that add such enjoyment and purpose to this hobby.

April 23, 2003 01:07 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Series 500 plossl?

Posted By James DellaPenna
I own a 40mm Series 500 Plossl that came with the used scope I purchased. Who makes or made the Series 500? Were they sold through a big scope company or are they an otherwise no-name import? Are they comparable to any ordinary plossl (as opposed to super plossl)? No help on the internet tracking this down.

April 24, 2003 06:16 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Broadband nebular filters?

Posted By James DellaPenna
Before I go purchase one of these for my SCT I would like to get some Astromart opinions on their effectiveness. I am not that close to sodium street lamps but live in a subrban area of a city in the southeast. General city glow is very prevalent. We can not usually see the Milky Way here with the naked eye!

Do these broadband filters really work as advertised?

May 24, 2003 11:48 PM Forum: Refractors

8" Acromatics?

Posted By James DellaPenna
There are several 6" f/8 acromatics made today. Why are there no 8" models? An 8" f/6 would require the same length tube. Would the color problems be all that much more severe than in a 6"? Are there other reasons for no mass produced 8" refractors? Really curious about this.

May 30, 2003 01:24 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Re: The best catadioptric telescope

Posted By James DellaPenna
Alex has asked how you lock down the C9.25 primary. In addition to that information which Feather Touch Focuser is appropriate for the 9.25? They have 1.5", 2.0", and 2.5" travel options. Should one just get the 2" option to cover all possible focusing situations or is that overkill?

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