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The Comet, Whitney, and Mobius Arch

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Posts Made By: Dan D DuBal

February 26, 2003 09:58 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Mars' Olympus Mons?

Posted By Dan D DuBal

Hi, Ron.

If memory serves, Olympus has been imaged via CCD at premier observatories (Pic du Midi, for one, I think) as an extremely faint very-low-contrast "blemish." Images of Olympus-hugging orographic clouds have also been recorded. Not sure if anyone has actually *seen* the feature (or clouds thereupon), but conditions *and* equipment would surely have to be optimum.

As Greg noted, it's Olympus's ultra-low contrast (with surrounding plains) which keeps it hidden.

Best wishes.
-Dan

March 1, 2003 01:48 AM Forum: Astro Binoculars

galileo 15x70 collimation screws?

Posted By Dan D DuBal

Hi, Leigh.

My Galileos arrived *perfectly* collimated.
And, yes, they are from the same manufacturer(s) as the Barska/Bear/Oberwerk/Maybach units. Coatings and cosmetics may differ, but they all are indeed "siblings" (collimation screws, too).

If you've not seen it, check the CloudyNights article, "Bear 15x70 Binocular Collimation," by Pete Rasmussen. His discussion and the photo included are applicable to the Galileo 15x70s.

Best wishes.
-Dan

March 3, 2003 03:38 AM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

My Backyard

Posted By Dan D DuBal

Excellent images, Mike. Thanks for sharing.

I also think you're in for a big kick in the pants when you couple that Oly to your Starmax. I really look forward to seeing those images, too. Do keep us posted.

I anticipate finally nabbing a digital camera later this year. A few of the Olympus models (including the 3020) are among my "finalists," along with a few others from Canon, Nikon, and Sony. Your images -- and many others posted here on Astromart -- are doing a fine job of keeping me anxious and eager.

Best wishes.
Dan

March 3, 2003 02:23 PM Forum: Refractors

Suprising Unitron 2.4" f11 Refractor Performance

Posted By Dan D DuBal

Welcome to the club, Tom. I love my old 60mm f/13 Jason (Tasco), too.

I get a weird kick out of seeing just how much (or how deep) a 50mm or 60mm aperture can show.

Feel free to share your future Unitron adventures.

Best wishes.
Dan

March 4, 2003 06:11 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Still need answer on mount sufficiency

Posted By Dan D DuBal

Hi Mark.

I would expect the CG3 to manage the 395 fairly well, though not with the greatest of rock-solid ease. The CG-3 is standard with Celestron's Firstcope 80EQ, which is comparable in weight/mass to the 395. Orion also equips several of their telescopes with the EQ-2, which is the CG-3's twin. The AstroView 90 EQ, both 130mm SpaceProbe reflectors, and the Starmax 102 EQ -- all come with the EQ-2.

I myself would prefer something a little stronger, such as the CG-4 or Orion's AstroView mount, but it's not necessary. The CG-3 should do the job quite nicely. You can always get a stronger mount in the future, if you feel the need.

Best wishes and luck.
Dan

March 8, 2003 01:23 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

4" APO or 5" Achro???

Posted By Dan D DuBal

If it were me, and the 4-incher was an excellent scope, I wouldn't bother with a 5-inch achromat.

On average-to-mediocre nights, I'd be perfectly happy with the 4-incher. It will show *LOTS* of Martian detail, so long as conditions allow.

During those rare nights when the seeing had me giddy, drooling, and/or stunned, I'd leave the little guy in the house, haul out the big Newtonian, and spend most of that time nudging that bad boy across the sky.

In either case, I'd make every attempt to stare and study Mars as much as time would allow. I'm a steadfast believer in the following equation: care + time = more detail seen.

Best wishes, and enjoy the upcoming show.
Dan

March 9, 2003 04:20 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

TV or AP Diagonal

Posted By Dan D DuBal

Hi Robert.

I chose the A-P for this reason alone:
At that time, I didn't own any Astro-Physics accessories. (I already had a Tele Vue Powermate.) Basically, I just tried "something new" -- kind'a like a food or snack I'd never tasted before. :-)

Don't worry about quality/fidelity. Feel free to base your decision on something else -- even if it's frivolous: which one looks better? headquarters (NY, IL)? housing's finish (A-P shinier; TV more "satin")?

The only true "advantage" (one over the other) that I can see is this: the Everbrite's thumbscrew is captive and cannot be fully unscrewed from collar. The thumbscrew on the Maxbright is not captive.

Best wishes and luck.
Dan

March 12, 2003 04:19 AM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

Images of Columbia? Israeli satellite images

Posted By Dan D DuBal

Yes, "Hollywood" is definitely the appropriate term. Those are shots/caps taken from a movie. I recognize the scene, but I can't quite recall the flick (theatrical? TV?) from which they were cribbed. I'm sure someone else will recognize the footage and chime in.

March 13, 2003 01:38 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Meade 90mm F11

Posted By Dan D DuBal

Is the diameter of the tube itself 90mm, as well? If so, then the focuser used on the Celestron/Skywatcher 100mm ("4-inch") refractors will fit right in place, perfectly, with no adapter needed. Not sure about the focusers used on the 120mm Syntas -- they may larger (to fit 100mm tubes and flanges). The focusers on the 150mm Syntas are *definitely* larger.

JMI, Burgess, William, Intes and Feathertouch focusers -- all of these can be adapted to fit your 90mm Meade.

Best wishes and luck.
Dan

March 18, 2003 06:17 AM Forum: Takahashi

Just wanted to say...

Posted By Dan D DuBal

Hubba, hubba.
I can see you're ga-ga, Andrew. I hope you don't mind my saying so, but she's absolutely Tak-a-licious. (Insert wolf whistle here.) In my book, "FS" also stands for "Freakin' Stunning."

I'm glad my 75 EDHF isn't the jealous type, because I'll continue to long for an FS-78 (someday). But the Pentax? I must say: she's my first, my baby, and I'll never let her go.

Here's to our little drool-triggers.
Cheers.
-Dan