http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/-t1.htm Tell us about your observing experience and or tips on observing or tell us about an up coming event. Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:55:03 GMT 10 http://illiweb.com/fa/empty.gif http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/-t1.htm http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/my-observing-t108.htm billygibbons Heh, too big of a soapbox, eh? I guess what I mean is that with every different power we use there is a different world to see. Heck, I was amazed at the different fields I saw last night at 75x. Seems each power brings out somethind different that only it can show. The thing with super low powers, for me right now, is that I have never had a scope that would do it. I'm sure 15x-25x binoculars would show me the same thing, but of course they would need to be mounted--and I don't have any. But ... GENERAL OBSERVING Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:55:03 GMT http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/my-observing-t108.htm#312 http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/my-observing-t108.htm http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/the-baader-24mm-hyperion-t94.htm johnjohnson The Baader Planetarium Hyperion 68 degree Modular Eyepieces offer world-class performance and unique photo-visual features, at an unheard of price. No longer do amateurs need to spend more on their eyepieces than their primary instrument, in order to get true high-end performance in a wide-field eyepiece. Not just a different branded version of their highly regarded cousins, the Hyperions have been totally redesigned to deliver better transmission, contrast, and useful new features. Baader Planetarium ... GENERAL OBSERVING Mon, 25 May 2009 03:08:36 GMT http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/the-baader-24mm-hyperion-t94.htm#242 http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/the-baader-24mm-hyperion-t94.htm http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/eyepiece-you-say-t42.htm Greg Smith An eyepiece is simply a precision magnifier. (Another name for an eyepiece is ocular.) The eyepiece used with a telescope magnifies the image that is formed by the main optical system. There are many different kinds of eyepiece designs for various applications. The design and quality of the eyepiece can drastically affect the overall performance of the telescope system. An eyepiece is usually described by barrel diameter and focal length. Common barrel diameters are 0.96", 1.25" ... GENERAL OBSERVING Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:23:13 GMT http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/eyepiece-you-say-t42.htm#100 http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/eyepiece-you-say-t42.htm http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/oh-oh-the-seeing-t43.htm Greg Smith "Seeing" is the term astronomers use to describe the sky's atmospheric steadiness. Transparency is used to describe atmospheric clarity. The atmosphere is in continual motion with changing temperatures, air currents or wind and weather fronts, causing stars to twinkle. (The images of twinkling stars are highly distorted and the amount of light reaching us through the air is also affected, so it changes from instant to instant and the star twinkles.) If the stars are twinkling considerably, ... GENERAL OBSERVING Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:28:46 GMT http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/oh-oh-the-seeing-t43.htm#101 http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/oh-oh-the-seeing-t43.htm http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/1x2x3x4-t44.htm Greg Smith The magnification of a telescope changes as the eyepiece is changed. Magnification can be calculated by dividing the focal length of your telescope by the focal length of the eyepiece. Always start with your lowest magnification (longest focal length) eyepiece and work upwards from there. A 2x Barlow lens will double the magnification of whatever eyepiece you use with it while preserving its eye relief. For example: using a telescope with a 900mm focal length with a 20mm eyepiece ... GENERAL OBSERVING Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:30:23 GMT http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/1x2x3x4-t44.htm#102 http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/1x2x3x4-t44.htm http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/near-focus-t46.htm Astro1 The near focus is simply the closest distance you can focus a telescope. It’s good to know when using the scope for terrestrial visual or photographic purposes. GENERAL OBSERVING Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:38:19 GMT http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/near-focus-t46.htm#104 http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/near-focus-t46.htm http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/field-of-view-t47.htm Astro1 The angular size of the sky you can view through a telescope is called the real (true) field of view and is measured in degrees of arc. The larger the field of view, the larger the area of the sky you can see. Field of view is calculated by dividing the apparent field of view (in degrees) of the eyepiece by the magnification. For example, if you are using an eyepiece with a 50 degree apparent field, and the power of the telescope with this eyepiece is 100x, then the field of view would be 0.5 ... GENERAL OBSERVING Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:39:09 GMT http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/field-of-view-t47.htm#105 http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/field-of-view-t47.htm http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/observing-mars-t55.htm Greg Smith Here are some notes that I have compiled as to my observations of Mars. For those just starting out in planetary observing, this year’s opposition of Mars will the best. The first thing to do is to make sure to have your scope in good collimation, as this is a must for good planetary observing, so that you can have the sharpest image. When study-ing the planets, you will have to spend a good amount of time at the eyepiece watching and waiting for those brief moments of steady seeing. The more ... GENERAL OBSERVING Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:15:31 GMT http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/observing-mars-t55.htm#124 http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/observing-mars-t55.htm http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/saturn-2009-t56.htm Astro1 This year I have been looking at Saturn a lot lately. Jupiter over the past few nights, too. Last night, viewing conditions were great, allowing me to look at these planets around 210x in my 80mm scope. For Saturn, Cassini and several cloud bands were obvious. C-ring suspected. For Jupiter, I could see 3 red cloud bands (the 2 main ones, plus another more southerly one) and darkening toward both poles.... BUT, I've been frustrated with the glowy glare around these bright planets when I get ... GENERAL OBSERVING Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:19:06 GMT http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/saturn-2009-t56.htm#125 http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/saturn-2009-t56.htm http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/planetary-images-t54.htm N. Wells
http://www.comet-track.com/planet/101301/101301.html]]> GENERAL OBSERVING Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:08:45 GMT http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/planetary-images-t54.htm#123 http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/planetary-images-t54.htm http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/polar-alignment-1of2-t40.htm N. Wells You can use your finderscope (finder) to accurately polar-align your equatorial mount. This is more accurate than a rough alignment using the mechanical scales on your mount or roughly pointing the whole mount towards Polaris. To use your finder as a polar finder is a three-step process. First, the optical axis of the finder must be aligned to the mechanical polar axis of your equatorial mount. Second, Polaris will be centered in the finder (polar axis pointing towards Polaris). Since ... GENERAL OBSERVING Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:10:17 GMT http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/polar-alignment-1of2-t40.htm#95 http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/polar-alignment-1of2-t40.htm http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/mounting-your-telescope-t41.htm N. Wells Telescopes are mounted in two ways: alt-azimuth and equatorial. Both major types allow the telescope to move freely and be pointed around two perpendicular directions called axes (plural for axis). An axis will always be at right angles to the motions it allows. A good example is the axle of a car. It points to the side while letting the wheels rotate and move the car forwards. The alt-azimuth (alt-az) mount has an altitude axis allowing the scope to be moved in an up and down direction, ... GENERAL OBSERVING Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:15:48 GMT http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/mounting-your-telescope-t41.htm#98 http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/mounting-your-telescope-t41.htm http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/binoculars-t22.htm Astro1 Selecting the right binoculars is a matter of picking the best combination of features for your specific needs. You should consider magnification, bulk and weight, brightness, field of view, optical quality, and cost. Binocular sizes are expressed with two numbers, 7x35, 10x50, etc. The first number is the magnification (or power), the second is the aperture, or diameter of the objective (front) lenses in millimeters. For example, 7x35 binoculars provide 7-times magnification and have 35mm ... GENERAL OBSERVING Wed, 25 Feb 2009 04:59:52 GMT http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/binoculars-t22.htm#29 http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/binoculars-t22.htm http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/for-the-record-t21.htm Astro1 Now for the record, Contrary to widespread belief, the magnifying power of a telescope is NOT its most important feature. It is the light-gathering ability which is of paramount importance. The aperture size, or diameter of the telescope’s main lens or mirror, determines how much light it will collect. Objects far out in space are very faint. As such, a telescope with a larger aperture will be able to show faint objects better than one with a smaller aperture. Telescopes of inferior quality are ... GENERAL OBSERVING Wed, 25 Feb 2009 04:46:59 GMT http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/for-the-record-t21.htm#25 http://clearnights.forummotion.com/general-observing-f8/for-the-record-t21.htm