May 2002 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

Test
by Chuck Hards 19 May '02

19 May '02

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Notes on binocular ruggedness
by Chuck Hards 18 May '02

18 May '02

Recently I've heard from a couple of people who have dropped their large binocular, and collimation was lost as a result. The currently popular Oberwerk, Bear, and Galileo 15x70mm units all share the same construction. They are cast aluminum bodies, of the "German" style, that is, the objective housing is a separate piece that threads into the prism housing. The combination of cast aluminum and the German body style is not robust, especially in a larger binocular where the objective housing is several inches long. The aluminum is particulary susceptible to impact-caused distortions that do not "spring back" after the impact. The "neck" area that threads into the prism housing is also a weak spot from a design standpoint. The rubber "armor" on these units is a marketing tool, and not effective against impact-caused damage. At most is protects from cosmetic surface damage to the aluminum housing only. Any impact sufficiently strong to bend or deflect the housing will not be stopped by 1.5mm of molded-rubber sheet. These binoculars must be treated like a camera lens, or expensive eyepiece. They are not "knock-about" binoculars, cannot be tossed casually into a car trunk or onto a table without serious risk of damage. If the impact was severe enough, it may not be possible to re-collimate the binocular without replacing some housing components. Luckily, so far the dropped units I've seen have been easily re-collimated. Binoculars that will generally withstand a substantial impact, like dropping them from 3 or 4 feet onto the ground, or bumping them hard into something, will have a polycarbonate (Lexan) or FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic) body in the "American" style, that is, the objective housing and prism housing are all one unit, with no weak attachment point for stress to concentrate. These are the "knock-about" binoculars that are much more able to withstand abuse. Generally they are priced above $200-$250 for something in the 60-70mm range, and are Japanese and European made, for the most part. This is the price to be paid for a low-priced binocular. While I am very pleased with the construction and performance of my Bears and Oberwerks, I know that the design itself, and materials, are not able to withstand much abuse, so I treat them accordingly. I do NOT feel that this is a flaw. One would not criticize a camera lens or Nagler eyepiece because it can't be dropped without damage. One merely has to be careful with them. Though relatively inexpensive, they are still precision optical devices. If you feel that you need a much more rugged binocular due to use by children, the general public, or for other reasons, I would strongly suggest a Japanese-made unit in the "American" body style, with a polycarbonate or FRP housing, at about double the cost. And it's still a good idea to learn how to service your own binocular if and when needed. Chuck __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience http://launch.yahoo.com

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A descriptive analogy for Brent
by Chuck Hards 17 May '02

17 May '02

See if this helps: You know how the moon "librates"? Rocks a bit during it's orbit...first we see a little bit further around the limb on one side, then a few days or weeks later, we see a little bit further around the other limb? Stereo vision is like seeing both libration extremes simultaneously; with all 3-dimensional objects. It's not an illusion; it's witchcraft. ;) Chuck __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience http://launch.yahoo.com

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Binopalooza Scheduled!
by Chuck Hards 17 May '02

17 May '02

OK, ladies and gentlemen, the premier binocular-astronomy event of the season has been scheduled for the evening of Thursday, June 13th at the Lakeside site. Hopefully this is enough notice for working stiffs (like me) to schedule the next day off. The summer Milky Way will be straddling the meridian, with Autumn objects coming into view later in the evening. A waxing crescent moon will set just about the time that all traces of summer twilight vanish. Thursday night should also mean less traffic on I-80 than a weekend night (better driving conditions, less automobile light-pollution from the highway.) Bring your binocular observing set-ups, we will be taking pictures for inclusion in various resource venues and newsletters. Telescopes are welcome, but for this night, binoculars will be center-stage. Club officers, please let your respective memberships know about this gathering! Weather permitting, of course. Rain before the event will turn the Lakeside site into an impossible mudhole. Be there or be square! (er, parallelogram...) Chuck __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience http://launch.yahoo.com

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Binopalooza Scheduled!
by RStmarie＠aol.com 17 May '02

17 May '02

Brent, Just curious if those "Aircraft Carrier Bino's" had an IR anti-laser coating? As you know, IR lasers are often used for range finders for guns on ships, tanks, and planes, and can be strong enough to damage unprotected eyes. Just wondering, Bob St. Marie

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RE: [Utah-astronomy] Binopalooza re-sched?
by David Dunn 16 May '02

16 May '02

They don't take reservations for the campsites. We get a permit to set up our scopes in a meadow next to the campground. We usually do invite the people in the campground out to look through the scopes. It helps to get rid of some of the lanterns and the general public usually wont stay more than an hour or so. -----Original Message----- From: Steinicke, Brett [mailto:bsteinic@enterasys.com] Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2002 11:35 AM To: 'utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com' Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Binopalooza re-sched? Have you reserved some sites/group site for camping July 11-13? Brett Steinicke -----Original Message----- From: David Dunn [ mailto:david.dunn@albertsons.com <mailto:david.dunn@albertsons.com> ] Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2002 11:18 AM To: 'utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com' Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Binopalooza re-sched? Probably an hour and half from SLC. It takes about 45 minutes to get there from Layton. It is up in the mountains between Huntsville and Woodruff. It is on Highway 39. The mountain is called Monte Cristo and there is a campground on the top that has the same name. I have gone observing without camping there but it is nice to just go to bed at the end of the session. -----Original Message----- From: Chuck Hards [ mailto:chuckhards@yahoo.com <mailto:chuckhards@yahoo.com> ] Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2002 10:49 AM To: utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Binopalooza re-sched? I am limited to about an hour's drive from Salt Lake, and no overnighters. Where the heck is Monte Cristo? Chuck --- David Dunn <david.dunn(a)albertsons.com> wrote: > I don't think that it would be practical to > reschedule the meeting. Only 5 > or 10 members would come to the Binopalooza anyway. > If you do end out > rescheduling in July, we could do it on 11th thru > the 13th at Monte Cristo. > Both SLAS and OAS are planning to be there that > week. It would provide us > with a dark sky and about 4000 feet less atmosphere > to look through. > > Dave > > -----Original Message----- > From: Chuck Hards [ mailto:chuckhards@yahoo.com <mailto:chuckhards@yahoo.com> ] > Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2002 10:09 AM > To: Utah-Astro > Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Binopalooza re-sched? > > > Ive had a few more messages from Ogdenites who don't > want to make Binopalooza on the 13th. > > May I suggest that, if no guest-speaker was > arrainged, > could the meeting be held AT the bino-party? > > I'm open to a re-sched., but I can't make it any > earlier myself, and that particular Friday I would > have to leave before moon-set. Not really worth it. > > I suppose July would work. > > Opinions please, and quick! > > Chuck > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience > http://launch.yahoo.com <http://launch.yahoo.com> > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy <http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy> > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy <http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy> __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience http://launch.yahoo.com <http://launch.yahoo.com> _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy <http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy> _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy <http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy>

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RE: [Utah-astronomy] Binopalooza re-sched?
by Steinicke, Brett 16 May '02

16 May '02

Have you reserved some sites/group site for camping July 11-13? Brett Steinicke -----Original Message----- From: David Dunn [mailto:david.dunn@albertsons.com] Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2002 11:18 AM To: 'utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com' Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Binopalooza re-sched? Probably an hour and half from SLC. It takes about 45 minutes to get there from Layton. It is up in the mountains between Huntsville and Woodruff. It is on Highway 39. The mountain is called Monte Cristo and there is a campground on the top that has the same name. I have gone observing without camping there but it is nice to just go to bed at the end of the session. -----Original Message----- From: Chuck Hards [mailto:chuckhards@yahoo.com] Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2002 10:49 AM To: utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Binopalooza re-sched? I am limited to about an hour's drive from Salt Lake, and no overnighters. Where the heck is Monte Cristo? Chuck --- David Dunn <david.dunn(a)albertsons.com> wrote: > I don't think that it would be practical to > reschedule the meeting. Only 5 > or 10 members would come to the Binopalooza anyway. > If you do end out > rescheduling in July, we could do it on 11th thru > the 13th at Monte Cristo. > Both SLAS and OAS are planning to be there that > week. It would provide us > with a dark sky and about 4000 feet less atmosphere > to look through. > > Dave > > -----Original Message----- > From: Chuck Hards [mailto:chuckhards@yahoo.com] > Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2002 10:09 AM > To: Utah-Astro > Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Binopalooza re-sched? > > > Ive had a few more messages from Ogdenites who don't > want to make Binopalooza on the 13th. > > May I suggest that, if no guest-speaker was > arrainged, > could the meeting be held AT the bino-party? > > I'm open to a re-sched., but I can't make it any > earlier myself, and that particular Friday I would > have to leave before moon-set. Not really worth it. > > I suppose July would work. > > Opinions please, and quick! > > Chuck > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience > http://launch.yahoo.com > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience http://launch.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy

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RE: [Utah-astronomy] Binopalooza re-sched?
by David Dunn 16 May '02

16 May '02

Probably an hour and half from SLC. It takes about 45 minutes to get there from Layton. It is up in the mountains between Huntsville and Woodruff. It is on Highway 39. The mountain is called Monte Cristo and there is a campground on the top that has the same name. I have gone observing without camping there but it is nice to just go to bed at the end of the session. -----Original Message----- From: Chuck Hards [mailto:chuckhards@yahoo.com] Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2002 10:49 AM To: utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Binopalooza re-sched? I am limited to about an hour's drive from Salt Lake, and no overnighters. Where the heck is Monte Cristo? Chuck --- David Dunn <david.dunn(a)albertsons.com> wrote: > I don't think that it would be practical to > reschedule the meeting. Only 5 > or 10 members would come to the Binopalooza anyway. > If you do end out > rescheduling in July, we could do it on 11th thru > the 13th at Monte Cristo. > Both SLAS and OAS are planning to be there that > week. It would provide us > with a dark sky and about 4000 feet less atmosphere > to look through. > > Dave > > -----Original Message----- > From: Chuck Hards [mailto:chuckhards@yahoo.com] > Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2002 10:09 AM > To: Utah-Astro > Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Binopalooza re-sched? > > > Ive had a few more messages from Ogdenites who don't > want to make Binopalooza on the 13th. > > May I suggest that, if no guest-speaker was > arrainged, > could the meeting be held AT the bino-party? > > I'm open to a re-sched., but I can't make it any > earlier myself, and that particular Friday I would > have to leave before moon-set. Not really worth it. > > I suppose July would work. > > Opinions please, and quick! > > Chuck > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience > http://launch.yahoo.com > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience http://launch.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy

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RE: [Utah-astronomy] Binopalooza re-sched?
by David Dunn 16 May '02

16 May '02

I don't think that it would be practical to reschedule the meeting. Only 5 or 10 members would come to the Binopalooza anyway. If you do end out rescheduling in July, we could do it on 11th thru the 13th at Monte Cristo. Both SLAS and OAS are planning to be there that week. It would provide us with a dark sky and about 4000 feet less atmosphere to look through. Dave -----Original Message----- From: Chuck Hards [mailto:chuckhards@yahoo.com] Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2002 10:09 AM To: Utah-Astro Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Binopalooza re-sched? Ive had a few more messages from Ogdenites who don't want to make Binopalooza on the 13th. May I suggest that, if no guest-speaker was arrainged, could the meeting be held AT the bino-party? I'm open to a re-sched., but I can't make it any earlier myself, and that particular Friday I would have to leave before moon-set. Not really worth it. I suppose July would work. Opinions please, and quick! Chuck __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience http://launch.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy

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Binopalooza re-sched?
by Chuck Hards 16 May '02

16 May '02

Ive had a few more messages from Ogdenites who don't want to make Binopalooza on the 13th. May I suggest that, if no guest-speaker was arrainged, could the meeting be held AT the bino-party? I'm open to a re-sched., but I can't make it any earlier myself, and that particular Friday I would have to leave before moon-set. Not really worth it. I suppose July would work. Opinions please, and quick! Chuck __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience http://launch.yahoo.com

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