September 2005 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

Re: Generators
by Chuck Hards 13 Sep '05

13 Sep '05

You turning liberal on me, Guy? ;) > From: diveboss(a)xmission.com > Bikers Against Small Engine Abuse aint gonna like > hearing that! __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

2 1

RE: Re: [Utah-astronomy] DSI with drizzle [was Generators]
by Dale Hooper 13 Sep '05

13 Sep '05

It's a NASA developed method of combining images (used with the Hubble Space Telescope). It uses multiple undersampled dithered images and can correct for geometric distortion. In other words, it allows you to take stacked or mosaic images while correcting for field rotation. The Meade software will track and stack using two stars - to handle field rotation (i.e. imaging using an alt-az mount). And it's a free update to the autostar suite software - which they now call 'AutoStar Envisage'. Here are a couple URLs: http://www.meade.com/autostar/update/index.html http://www.stsci.edu/ftp/science/hdf/combination/drizzle.html Clear skies, Dale. > -----Original Message----- > From: utah-astronomy-bounces+dale.hooper=sdl.usu.edu(a)mailman.xmission.com > [mailto:utah-astronomy- > bounces+dale.hooper=sdl.usu.edu(a)mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Joe > Bauman > Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2005 1:15 PM > To: Utah Astronomy > Subject: RE: Re: [Utah-astronomy] DSI with drizzle [was Generators] > > I haven't heard of Drizzle, Dale -- what is it? Thanks, Joe > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com

2 1

RE: Re: [Utah-astronomy] DSI with drizzle [was Generators]
by Dale Hooper 13 Sep '05

13 Sep '05

Hi Joe, The latest Meade software for the DSI supports Drizzle. So, in theory you should be able to use it in alt-az. If you take any images that way - I'd sure be interested in seeing them. Thanks & clear skies, Dale. > -----Original Message----- > From: utah-astronomy-bounces+dale.hooper=sdl.usu.edu(a)mailman.xmission.com > [mailto:utah-astronomy- > bounces+dale.hooper=sdl.usu.edu(a)mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Joe > Bauman > Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2005 11:24 AM > To: Utah Astronomy > Subject: Re: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Generators > > Hi Deb, I have a Meade Deep Sky Imager that I want to use for > autoguiding, and an SBIG camera for the photography. The Meade will > autoguide; I tried it with a film camera and it seemed to work, but > the camera wasn't on my Superwedge and the exposure was long, so I > got a lot of streaks. I'm a true convert to digital, and from now on > I plan to stay away from film -- both in my regular photography and > astrophotography. Good luck, Joe > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com

2 1

Re: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Generators
by astrodeb＠charter.net 13 Sep '05

13 Sep '05

Joe, Here is the link on how to make one. http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=518 Debbie > > From: Joe Bauman <bau(a)desnews.com> > Date: 2005/09/13 Tue AM 11:40:15 MDT > To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Subject: Re: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Generators > > Right, thanks for reminding me about the focuser -- I'm intending to > make one before my next trip. -- Joe > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com >

2 1

Re: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Generators
by astrodeb＠charter.net 13 Sep '05

13 Sep '05

Joe, Digital is so much easier than film. You get instant results. You know if you are on target, if your focus is off, and how well you are tracking. Plus, most exposures are 5 minutes or less because of the noise factor. With shorter exposures, less can go wrong. Although I'm still climbing the steep learning curve, focusing my camera is getting easier and faster. A Hartmann mask is helpful also. Just remember to take it off before you start imaging! Debbie > > From: Joe Bauman <bau(a)desnews.com> > Date: 2005/09/13 Tue AM 11:23:56 MDT > To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Subject: Re: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Generators > > Hi Deb, I have a Meade Deep Sky Imager that I want to use for > autoguiding, and an SBIG camera for the photography. The Meade will > autoguide; I tried it with a film camera and it seemed to work, but > the camera wasn't on my Superwedge and the exposure was long, so I > got a lot of streaks. I'm a true convert to digital, and from now on > I plan to stay away from film -- both in my regular photography and > astrophotography. Good luck, Joe > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com >

2 1

Re: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Generators
by astrodeb＠charter.net 13 Sep '05

13 Sep '05

Joe, Maybe I'll try guiding by October too. What autoguider are you using? I'm going to use a webcam with the Guidedog software. For fainter objects, I may have to buy an autoguider. Deb > > From: Joe Bauman <bau(a)desnews.com> > Date: 2005/09/13 Tue AM 08:44:29 MDT > To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Generators > > Hey Guy, I have decided to take off some time around the new moon in > October, starting with Friday, July 30. Is there any chance we can be > finished by then? I'd love to be able to take some guide-scope guided > photos, for the first time. Thanks! Joe > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com >

2 1

Generators
by Chuck Hards 13 Sep '05

13 Sep '05

Being as Utah Power seems to be fairly unreliable, especially during weather extremes, I finally took the plunge and ordered a generator for the house. I totalled-up the requirements of the entire house, assuming everything was in use at once, and discovered that I couldn't afford a big enough generator! Instead I looked at just the essentials. Power the furnace, fridge, and one other large appliance such as a dishwasher, a few rooms of lights, computer, blow-dryer for the wife and daughter. In other words, about 30%-40% of an "everything-on" condition. Then I added a reasonable margin, and ordered accordingly. 6kw should get us through any emergency, and I'll still have enough reserve to run the telescope drive and computer! We discussed RF "noise" from these a while ago; once I get it installed with a transfer switch, I'll report on how it actually works in-use. Now where did I stick those gas-cans???? ______________________________________________________ Yahoo! for Good Watch the Hurricane Katrina Shelter From The Storm concert http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/shelter

4 4

Re: Re: Generators
by Chuck Hards 13 Sep '05

13 Sep '05

> Gary Liptrot wrote: > Anyone have similar experiences, > perhaps a story that would > suggest storing it like I am trying is bad? I have been telling myself since the last years of the 20th century, that as soon as my old lawnmower dies, I'll finally treat myself to a new one. I have had the same lawn mower for 16 years. A K-mart cheapie, I think I paid $99 in 1989. I have changed the oil once, and it was about ten years ago. I have never run it completely out at the end of the season, and have at times had to run 2-cycle gas (oil mixed-in) in it because I was too rushed/lazy to go to the gas station for more straight gas. It runs great on stale gas left over from the previous season. It used to be red, now it is mostly rust, the bag is held together with bailing wire, literally, and is kept closed with clothespins. The rope guide for the pull starter broke off, the handle broke and I now have it tied around a chunk of scrap plastic. The remote throttle handle is broken as well but still works by pushing it with a stick. The only maintenance I ever do is take a wire brush to the spark plug on years with summer Olympics. Every spring, it starts on the first pull and still runs like a champ. I'm no closer to that new mower than I was five years ago. Based on experience, I think you can store a small gas engine any way you want to. ;) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

2 1

Pic - 9/7 lunar conjunction
by Canopus56 12 Sep '05

12 Sep '05

Not a particularly great pic, but it captures the moment. - Canopus56(Kurt) http://members.csolutions.net/fisherka/astronote/observed/20050907Lunconj/2… __________________________________ Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 http://mail.yahoo.com

1 0

Re: Generators
by Chuck Hards 12 Sep '05

12 Sep '05

Gary, great suggestions- the natural gas idea is a good one and I thought long and hard about it, but the cheapest I could find was still 3.5X more money than the 6kw gasoline job I ended up ordering. Maybe an upgrade in a few years. Thanks for the Sta-Bil suggestion, I'll definitely do it. And I'm installing a manual transfer switch at the main box, for the entire house. The generator will stay inside the garage and I'm running the exhaust through the wall, into the back yard where hopefully it won't be too loud for the neighbors (who will probably be over at our house then anyway...). I have a 2kw inverter for things you describe, but as you pointed out, it's the furnace in winter that is the issue. That Christmas outage really kicked us hard- bad timing on top of the inconvenience and cold weather. Luckily my mom didn't lose her power so I sent the girls over there for the duration, and power came on here just in time to prevent pipes from freezing. But next time, it could be for far longer than 2 days, and much colder... Oh, BTW, I did find a 12V coffee maker at Big-5! > From: "Gary Liptrot" <n7zi(a)comcast.net> > Chuck, > I often thought about a generator that runs on > natural gas. You don't have > to stock cans of gasoline. They are more expensive > though. If you do go > the gas route then be sure to add Sta-Bil to the gas > cans so that the fuel > doesn't turn to varnish on you. > > I got through several blackouts with my solar AGM > batteries that I took out > of my car and just powered a small inverter, played > movies on a laptop and > had a few lights going. That works unless you want > heat which can be vital > in the dead of winter especially if it's an extended > outage. Broken pipes > and frozen kids are a drag. The best electrical > setup in your house is a > separate breaker panel that you plug the generator > into that manually cuts > over the circuits that you want to power such as the > items that you > mentioned like heat, refrigerator and maybe some > outlets. It's not too hard > to wire up and it makes the job so much easier. __________________________________ Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 http://mail.yahoo.com

2 1