December 2003 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

Off-topic: Tobacco cessation
by Chuck Hards 07 Dec '03

07 Dec '03

Today marks 31 days since my wife and I quit smoking. I know several list members who smoke and let me just say that if I can give it up, you all can too. The first few days were terrible but it gets easier every day. I don't mean to preach, good grief I had my fill of it myself. What I want to do is encourage you to keep trying, never give up. Not even a broken hand and reconstructive surgery broke my resolve, this time it's for keeps. THANK YOU to the list friends who knew what I was attempting, and going through, and encouraged me to stick with it. It helped A LOT! Back to astronomy. C. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now http://companion.yahoo.com/

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RE: [Utah-astronomy] Off-topic: Tobacco cessation
by Kim Hyatt 07 Dec '03

07 Dec '03

Chuck, I've told you before but I'll reiterate here. I know how hard it is to quit smoking - I was a two-pack-a-day Pall Mall smoker myself once. Quitting was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but also one of which I am proudest. I tip my hat to anyone who can overcome such an habit and I'm very happy for you and your wife. By now you've realized many benefits, but I will suggest one more. I'm convinced that tobacco smoke (and smoke from other substances that I won't get into here) obscures one's spiritual perception. No, I'm not talking about religion but the ability to perceive the mystical aspects of the universe. As astronomers, we are probably more sensitive to these matters anyway, but I wouldn't be surprised if you find that you have a renewed sense of wonderment as you observe the night sky and other natural phenomena. I could be wrong - just a thought. Anyway, congratulations to you both and good luck to maintain this change in your life! -----Original Message----- From: Chuck Hards [mailto:chuckhards@yahoo.com] Sent: Friday, December 05, 2003 3:54 PM To: Utah-Astro Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Off-topic: Tobacco cessation Today marks 31 days since my wife and I quit smoking. I know several list members who smoke and let me just say that if I can give it up, you all can too. The first few days were terrible but it gets easier every day. I don't mean to preach, good grief I had my fill of it myself. What I want to do is encourage you to keep trying, never give up. Not even a broken hand and reconstructive surgery broke my resolve, this time it's for keeps. THANK YOU to the list friends who knew what I was attempting, and going through, and encouraged me to stick with it. It helped A LOT! Back to astronomy. C. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now http://companion.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] binocular power ratings help
by Rich Allen 07 Dec '03

07 Dec '03

Thanks Jim! I purchased a 12x30 pair from SurplusShed last week, and was curious how the numbers related to the binos being discussed here. My main use will be daytime, so I'm happy with my $20 purchase. :) I have a 6" MCT, so aperture envy is nothing new to me. <grin> Rich Allen

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binocular power ratings help
by Rich Allen 07 Dec '03

07 Dec '03

I've been following these threads about astronomy suitable binoculars with interest. I'm curious to learn about how the power rating translate. What's the difference between a 12x30 vs. 15x70, for example? Are there any good web sites that explain this? My initial Google searches came up with lots of irrelevant hits. Thanks! Rich Allen

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Off-topic: Tobacco cessation
by UTAHDEB＠aol.com 05 Dec '03

05 Dec '03

Chuck, I had the same experience with quitting coffee. I missed my morning coffee but I've managed to drink herb tea and still get some hot liquid in my stomach. I know quitting tobacco is harder than quitting coffee so keep up the good work. Live Healthy and Happy, Debbie

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RE: [Utah-astronomy] Very inexpensive laser
by Griffin Louis A Civ OO-ALC/MAKGBA 03 Dec '03

03 Dec '03

Chuck, I would be very interested in the barlowed laser collimator design/plan please keep me posted... Broskeyper(a)aol.com -----Original Message----- From: Chuck Hards [mailto:chuckhards@yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 10:52 AM To: Utah-Astro Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Very inexpensive laser http://www.surplusshed.com/pages/item/m2122.html These are only $2.75 + s&h. I will have a "Barlowed" collimator design available sometime soon, using this laser as a light source. For the "do-it-yourselfers" on the list. Would also make a great "stocking stuffer". C. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now http://companion.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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Very inexpensive laser
by Chuck Hards 03 Dec '03

03 Dec '03

http://www.surplusshed.com/pages/item/m2122.html These are only $2.75 + s&h. I will have a "Barlowed" collimator design available sometime soon, using this laser as a light source. For the "do-it-yourselfers" on the list. Would also make a great "stocking stuffer". C. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now http://companion.yahoo.com/

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Inexpensive shortwave radio
by Marilyn Smith 03 Dec '03

03 Dec '03

Some time ago, the topic of short-wave radios for timing purposes came thru this group. I just received the new REI sale catalog, which includes two styles. For $30, they have a shirt-pocket sized radio with analog tuning. For $99, they have a digital tuner with solar and hand-cranked power. Be sure to check the reception quality of any short-wave radio, particularly with analog tuning. From my limited experience, a digital tuner is a big plus. Bob Grant

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My $50 refractor, and a request for assistance
by Marilyn Smith 03 Dec '03

03 Dec '03

The tube of my 8" f6 Cave takes up the majority of the usable space in the back seat of my Dakota extended cab, which has been fine for shorter trips with our camper, but my wife isn't willing to put up with that for the duration of our upcoming 2 week trip to Baja over Christmas. So I set out to make an inexpensive refractor that would take up less space, and accomplished it for $50. But a serendipitous afterthought led to an upgrade that is adding another $200 to the total investment. I ordered a 80x900 objective with plastic cell from Surplus Shed for $30, and a 1 1/4" focuser for $10, and kept my expectations low. I don't understand how "surplus" can be back-ordered, but a delay in getting the focuser caused me to wait two weeks for my order. Meanwhile, while on the prowl at the U Property Distribution center, looking for a cheap microscope for a customer in Idaho, I bought (for myself) a Zeiss stereo microscope for $100. The binocular head on it has a striking family resemblance with the Tele-Vue Bino-Vue as described in the Sept. 2002 S&T, and costing $1,050. When the objective and focuser arrived, I invested another $8 in 3" black plastic pipe and fittings at Home Depot, and $2 for black felt at Michael's, for a total of $50. I already had a star diagonal and eyepieces, and used some CDs for the glare stops. I've cobbled together a couple of small refractors before, but this is actually the first one with a real focuser, rather than just a "push-pull" on the eyepiece, so I'm quite the neophyte ATM. Recent cloudiness has prevented much evaluation of the lens, but "star" testing on tiny Christmas lights at about 150 yards shows spherical aberration. I know some of you (Chuck?) are good at, and seem to enjoy, optical evaluation, so if there is any interest is learning what you get for $30, let's meet. And this is where I can use some help. Over the Thanksgiving holidays, I machined a brass 1 1/4" adapter to allow use of the 45 degree angled bino-head. Initial use with microscope eyepieces showed promise, so yesterday I machined 2 adapters to allow use of 1 1/4" eyepieces. I have an eclectic collection of eyepieces, most of which are 50 years old and came with the 1954 Cave, so I don't know how eyepieces with wider views and/or greater eye relief (I wear glasses) will work in this possibly vignetted RubeGoldbergScope. Does anyone with a more recent collection of eyepieces care to help me make a selection? And perhaps try the bino-viewer on a better scope (it takes a lot of inward focus movement). Buying pairs of eyepieces can quickly blow my budget, so I may initially have to settle for only one focal length, too. The $50 Orion Expanse (66 degree) sound attractive at this point, but I'd hate to throw away $100. I could make 2 more telescopes for that money! ;-) Thanks, Bob Grant 273-0369

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] 2" 40mm Konig MK-70
by UTAHDEB＠aol.com 01 Dec '03

01 Dec '03

Chuck, I just went to the University Optics webpage and here is what they had to say about the eyerelief for the 40mm Konig MK-70. "The perfectly balanced eye relief is very forgiving in that your eye does not have to be perfectly on axis to get the full effect of the wide view". I saw this eyepiece got a "thumbs up" from Alan Dyer in "The Backyard Astronomer's Guide, Revised Edition". I also think the 70 degree apparent field of view would be wonderful in my TeleVue refractor. I think I'll go ahead and order it and I'll tell you what I think of it when I get a chance to use it. I appreciate your comments and your opinion. Best Regards, Debbie

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