Urban Astronomy II

[nevers]

Yeah, I thought about that after I posted the message. Not everyone is a night-owl like me. (I'm not sure why I'm awake now!) Another note, I'm not sure how it would photograph or even look, but I noticed Jupiter as a bright spot against the blue background of the morning sky: just before sunrise!<br /><br />Oh, if you do get up early to take pix of Saturn, don't forget to give yourself extra time to let you mirror cool down.

 

[nevers]

2004/10/17 <br /><br />Location: TBY – Las Vegas, Nevada<br />Altitude: 2160 ft. ASL<br />Time: 2230 – 0400 hrs<br />Weather: <br />- Temperature = 76 - 65f<br />- Humidity = 23 - 35%<br />- Winds = SSW @ 8 - 27 mph<br />- Clouds = None - Cloudy<br />- Transparency = Best - None<br />- Seeing = Best - None<br />- Darkness = Best<br />Moon Phase: 9%<br /><br /> Telescope Used:<br />- Meade LXD55-AR5 (“Fand”)<br /><br />Originally, my plans were not to be observing from my backyard but rather, from Death Valley in California. I was hoping to go early in the week and meet up with members from ASN-LV and possibly LVAS. Instead, I was denied vacation time even though I have worked for the company for over 10 years and have over 350 hours of vacation time saved up. Actually, they approved the days I wanted except for one, that being Friday. Apparently they are only allowed to give up to 7 employees off on the same day: I must have been the 8th person who asked for that day. Regardless, I told them to forget it. I’m not about to drive all the way up there, stay for a couple of days, come back for one and then return. Maybe I should have asked further in advance, I thought 3 weeks would be plenty of time not realizing mid October would be such a huge vacation season! I guess I’ll have to wait for November. I asked for the time and got it, now I just need the weather to cooperate.<br /><br />So, here I am, at the height of the Messier Season, sitting out in my backyard with my 5” Refractor. The evening began as a blustery, semi-partly cloudy day. The forecast on Weather Bug and SkyClock were conflicting with what I was seeing outside and I was tempted to ignore their depressing words and drive to Lovell Canyon or possibly to Valley of Fire. As night fell clouds moved in and made my decision for me: stay home.<br /><br />At about 10pm, the clouds departed and the winds some-what calmed. I made my move to set up my telescope in the back yard. Of course, as if on queue (where have we heard that bef

 

[nevers]

Alnitak or Zeta Orionis: The most east of the 3 stars in Orion's Belt.

 

[nevers]

The Open-Cluster M41 in Canis Major.

 

[nevers]

The Open Cluster M44 (Praesepe or The Beehive) in Cancer.

 

[bbrock]

Brad<br /><br />I have been thinking about trying photography, now that I have the equatorial mount. I know virtually nothing about it. Something about a "T" ring. I have never seen a ring shaped like a "T"! If you mount a camera to an eye piece, how do you know it's in focous?<br /><br />OK, so how can a self proclaimed idiot like myself simply and easily get started in astrophotography with some degree of success, without spending tremendous dollars on stuff I have no idea how to use. I would prefer digital ccd rather then film. <br /><br />I have been looking at the New Mead Deep Sky Imager, but don't you need to have it connected to a computer?<br /><br />Every time I find an article on astrophotography, they begin talking about 35mm camers and f/n and "T" rings. Seems you need to know something about it before you can learn something about it. I need to go to a more fundamental level then beginner. <br /><br />Bill<br /><br /><br /><br />Bill

 

[nevers]

Hi Bill - <br /><br />From one self proclaimed idiot to another, honestly, I don't know the answer to your question. I could fumble through it but I would probably end up making you more confused at least, or at best: misinformed. Maybe Thom, crazyeddie or one of the others will come along and know the anwer. Sorry...and yes, you're right: I have never seen a ring shaped like a "T" either. (Although I'm sure you know that they're talking about it's shape as seen from profile) <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> Or, maybe you would get a better response in the Astrophotography thread?<br /><br />I imagine, since afocal photography is the least expensive, it must also yield the "poorest" results of any method. I was fotunate to have my digital camera presented as a gift. I knew Orion sold the SteadyPix mount so I was in business. (After I got a motor for my now defunct AstroView and then moved on the the LXD55)<br /><br />My main goal in showing these pictures is not to say, "Hey, cool, look at this! Look at this kick-azz picture!" but rather to say, "Hey, look what can be done with the most basic equipment, and from an urban location. This is what you can expect to see in a 'small' telescope. If this is what I can get, imagine what you could do with something better!" I get ticked off when I see ads for telescopes that show these wonderful images and people who are just starting out buy one based on the photo. Then they get home and look the sky and go, 'hey, it doesn't look anything like that' or worse, can't even find anything.<br /><br />So, I'm not as knowledgeable as I'd like to be. Sorry for the ramblings...I don't expect I'll be able to try to do anything better outside of the next few years. Astrophotography is on the backburner really although it may not seem like it. My real favorite is going to dark skies and looking for faint, ma

 

[bbrock]

Brad<br /><br />I appreciate you honisty. The white piece of paper is a cool idea. " Not bad for a fellow idiot. That might just promote you out of the ranks " I took a brief look at the Astrophotography Thread. The first line that greats you is ( For a beginner new to astrophotography, forget it ! ) or something like that. I guess I really need to learn more about this subject. <br /><br />Bill

 

[nevers]

Hi Alex - <br /><br />I've done exactly as you plan. I used black poster board rolled up that extends about 6" beyond the end of the telescope. It would work even better if it was lined with black flocking paper available from Edmond Scientifics. Some people call them "Dew Shields", I however prefer to call mine a: "Photon Phyter". You can also use the flocking paper inside the OTA for the first foot or so: it will diffuse and absorb even more stray light especially around the secondary mirror and focuser.<br /><br />Here's a picture of my "Photon Phyter" on my Meade 5" Reflector...

 

[nevers]

Well thank-you very much! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> Any chance you can come and play with us? We need all the help we can get.

 

[bbrock]

Has anyone tried to use electronic / motor focusing? Who sells them? Are they any good? What are the typical costs? Any problems with them?<br /><br />etc. etc. <br /><br />Bill

 

[nevers]

Hi Alex - <br /><br />Hmmm? Your right, I can't find it there either. They must have discontinued it or sumpin'. Try here: Kendrick AstroSystems. Yeah, I guess the moisture would affect the paper cardboard, but, I thought we were talking about making something to block out light, not dew. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />Try the black poster board first, it cost about $1 for a piece about 2 x 3. If you think it makes a difference at blocking the light, then you can try adding the flocking paper to the inside of the "Photon Phyter" and the inside of the telescope itself.

 

[nevers]

Hi Bill - <br /><br />I've never used or seen one, but, I found these:<br /><br />Scopetronix<br />JMI Motofocus<br />Ocean Side Photo<br /><br />I have no idea about how any of them work. Geez, I'm at strike two now!

 

[nevers]

Hi Alex - <br /><br />Thanks for the pictures! It's been a while since I've seen any stars, rain keeps pouring in from the Pacific. I hear what you mean about having to reduce the size of the picture...the originals looks so much better and quality is lost when reducing them. Good job with the hand-held shot of the moon! Did you try to copy just one portion of the origial near the terminator to see how that would work? Just a thought. Keep up the good work!

 

[nevers]

Hi Alex - <br /><br />Glad the "Photon Phyter" idea worked for ya! Give the pic of the moon a try if you able. I've taken some very nice single shots of the moon through the 16"er: they look very similar to your picture. The file sizes were huge like yours, but when I opened them up to full size in a photo editor program and "cut-out" one little section, I was surprised at how much detail there really was. I know you said the sky was not under the best circumstances though...just a thought.

 

[nevers]

Last month or so I thought I would be "gone" for a while but things changed for what I thought was the better. Now, I fear the worst has happened and unfortunatley for me, I must take my leave for what will probably be a long while. <br /><br />I have made some bad business decisions with a friend of mine and saving money will be a concern to me. I will not be able to afford internet service as my money will be directed in other directions. I don't know, maybe I can find some free service if they still have it anywhere or a pay-as-you-go kind of thing but chances of that are slim to none. <br /><br />I hope to see ya'll sooner then I can foresee: you've all been great friends. I'll really miss you until that time. Until then, clear and dark skies (or at least the best urban conditions possible to ya'll. <br />

 

[jcdenton]

Hey NEVERS, there are some free dial-up ISPs you can use (such as Netzero) for 10 hours a month.<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[orions_belt1217]

I was wondering I watched the eclipse the other night from on top of my roof and had a perfect view of it with just my eyes (no telescope or binoculars). But when I tried to take a picture it seemed further away than when I looked at it alone. Could you suggest what would be the best camera for star gazing in the city from rooftops? <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[CalliArcale]

I've also heard of folks getting AOL to keep giving them free access by basically complaining about the service every month. AOL gives them another free month to try to keep them from jumping to another ISP. <img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" /> But you have to be pretty gutsy to pull that off. I couldn't do it.<br /><br />Whatever happens, NEVERS, you take care. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> We're all going to miss you! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[newtonian]

Nevers - Sorry I didn't realize and hope you are well.<br /><br />Your fine input is missed.<br /><br />You all - anyone know how Nevers is doing?

 

[tfwthom]

I tried calling NEVERS (Brad) for xmas, his cell phone is still off. This is the last message I got from him 10/30/04<br /><br />Hi Thom & Ellen - <br /><br />Don't know if you've read my last post in Urban thread, but this is really it this time. I'm signing off for a while. I'll also have to disconect my cell phone too. But, I have your numbers and I'll keep in touch. <br /><br /><br />Brad <br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1" color="#3366ff">www.siriuslookers.org</font> </div>

 

[newtonian]

What about his website or address - btw, if you have an address, don't post it. <br /><br />you could private message it to me, or e-mail me at paulharth6@cs.com or simply convey directly my desire to communicate.<br /><br />I assume his website is down?<br /><br />What of his astronomy friends?<br /><br />Alas, this is one of the problems with internet communication.

 

[tfwthom]

His website, e-mail, etc are all down. I don't know is address, I have directions to his house but I'm not heading to Vegas till June. Texas Station Casino is about a mile from his house. He usually calls me when he has time to come to Arizona for some observing. If he contacts me I'll tell him you are looking for him. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1" color="#3366ff">www.siriuslookers.org</font> </div>

 

[nevers]

HELLLLOOOOO...!!!!!!<br /><br />Wow...it feels good to be back. I really, really missed you guys! Things are getting better, still gotta watch the money. I broke down and got a modem (my computer was not even set up with a dial-up one: cable only and that went by-by). I got one of those "trial AOL discs" and ta-da...here I am! Sorry <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> ...<br /><br />Well, it's been a quite kind of month and a half or so. I've not gone anywhere with my 'scopes except my backyard. I got some pix of double stars mostly. I just thought I'd stop in for a quick moment to say "Hello".<br /><br />Glad to see everybody again and will be back shortly. (My website and all that stuff is still down for now) See ya soon...

 

[bbrock]

Brad<br /><br />Good to see you back. I never thought I'd miss someone I never met, but we could have used your opinion a few times. <br /><br />Bill