October 2006 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

Cleaning out the closet
by Chuck Hards 08 Oct '06

08 Oct '06

I have too many 70mm binoculars (no, really!). I want to part with one 15x70mm Barska, very low miles, comes with soft case and dust caps. The first $50 cash takes it. Reply off-list if interested. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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RE: [Utah-astronomy] 25x100mm binos
by Seth Jarvis 08 Oct '06

08 Oct '06

I own a pair of Celestron 25x100's but I never use the silly things because not even my heaviest-duty camera tripod can keep them steady. I've seen parallelogram-type mounts, but they all have maximum weight capacities that are less than the weight of the 25x100 monsters. How do you guys manage these things? Why is just one of them called a "pair of binoculars" and I'm forced to speak of them in the plural? Wouldn't it make more sense to call them a "pair of monoculars?" Just grousing. I really do want to know how big-bino owners manage to use theirs. $170 sounds like a screamin' deal. Maybe the money you save on them can go towards a monster tripod & mount. Seth -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+sjarvis=slco.org(a)mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+sjarvis=slco.org@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Hards Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006 5:18 PM To: Utah-Astro Subject: [Utah-astronomy] 25x100mm binos Fotar binos (same as Celestron, Apogee) on-sale for $169.99: http://www.heartlandamerica.com/browse/item.asp?product=fotar-25-x-100-binoc ulars&PIN=38295&GUID=E78F6819-F4D7-412A-B921-46B9FDE9D925&BC=S&DL=SEH8 Shipping charges extra. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ 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

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RE: [Utah-astronomy] 25x100mm binos
by Seth Jarvis 06 Oct '06

06 Oct '06

Chuck, that's perfect. Impressive stuff. Thanks! Seth -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+sjarvis=slco.org(a)mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+sjarvis=slco.org@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Hards Sent: Friday, October 06, 2006 3:46 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] 25x100mm binos Seth: http://www.utahastronomy.com/view_album.php?set_albumName=Chuck Glad to help. --- Seth Jarvis <SJarvis(a)slco.org> wrote: > Chuck, that's extremely helpful information. What's > the link to your gallery > page? __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ 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

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MRO = Wow Wow
by Patrick Wiggins 06 Oct '06

06 Oct '06

Remember how we were amazed that MGS could actually see the Mars landers and rovers from orbit? Sure, the rovers and landers were little more than a pixel or two in the images but it was still impressive. Well if you were amazed by that, wait until you see the MER Opportunity as seen by the brand spanking new MRO. Even the shadow of the camera mast is plainly visible. I think this one rates a double Wow!: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/images/mer/2006-10-06/pia08816-browse.jpg pw

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Fwd: Open Mechanical Engineering position at a major observatory
by Richard Tenney 06 Oct '06

06 Oct '06

Sorry to forward SPAM to the rest of you, but this sounds like it might be the dream job for those of you with ME backgrounds that wouldn't mind living in West Texas... -Rich --- George and Teresa <gandt(a)nexus.as.utexas.edu> wrote: > Date: Wed, 04 Oct 2006 21:50:38 -0500 > From: George and Teresa <gandt(a)nexus.as.utexas.edu> > To: undisclosed-recipients:; > Subject: Open Mechanical Engineering position at a > major observatory > > Please pardon this unsolicited email. > > The Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET) at McDonald > Observatory part of the > University of Texas at Austin has an immediate > opening for a qualified > mechanical engineer. The text of this advertisement > is part of this > email. A formatted PDF version of this document is > also attached. > > You are receiving this email because your address > was found while > searching for astronomy organizations or clubs > throughout the United > States. Please pass this job advertisement to > anyone that may be > interested. > > Thank you, > George Damm > > --------------------- > George Damm > Electrical Engineer > U.T. McDonald Observatory, H.E.T. > HC 75, Box 1337-MCD > Fort Davis, TX 79734 > 432-426-3693 > gdamm(a)astro.as.utexas.edu > > > McDonald Observatory is looking for a hands-on > Mechanical Engineer to > work at the Hobby- > Eberly Telescope facility in the mountains of West > Texas. The > Hobby-Eberly Telescope, at > McDonald Observatory is part of The University of > Texas at Austin and is > the 4th largest > telescope in the world. If you have had practical > hands-on experience in > an operational > environment and good analytical skills, you may be > qualified for this > position. The job entails > working with large leadscrew-driven > electromechanical systems with > 6-axis placement accuracy > to the micron level within a 4m x 4m x 0.3m volume. > Sustaining ancillary > systems required to > support the telescope would also be in your job > description. The job > applicant must have the > skills necessary to keep this state of the art > facility operating > continuously through out the year. > > The job requirements include: Analysis of > performance of research > telescope facility subsystems. > Identify performance shortfalls & develop solutions > to address these > deficiencies. Propose, plan, > schedule, & coordinate the completion of these > projects. Develop new > designs and approaches to > modify original research equipment, and direct and > assist in the > fabrication of these custom > designs. Develop and revise documentation for HET > mechanical systems. > Maintain engineering > design drawings and documentation along with > technical and > administrative personnel. > Job qualifications include: A Bachelor's degree in > Engineering with four > years of experience in > mechanical engineering, experience maintaining > electro-mechanical, > pneumatic systems, HVAC > systems and emergency generators, experience with > fabrication tools and > techniques, experience > with mechanical design and analysis software. > > On site housing is available within a community of > about 30 employees > located approximately 1 > mile from the 6500ft mountain peak on which the > telescope sits. The > option is also available to > live locally within the area. The local towns of > Fort Davis, Alpine and > Marfa offer a diverse > flavor and a real sense of community. Also within > commuting distance is > Sul Ross University, a > 4 year college with various degree plans. > > The University of Texas offers competitive benefits > with good health > care and retirement plans. > To apply, and for a complete job description please > visit > http://utdirect.utexas.edu/pnjobs/ > and refer to job #060928014209. The University of > Texas at Austin is an > equal > opportunity/affirmative action employer . This is a > security sensitive > position; Conviction > verification conducted on applicant selected. > > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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RE: [Utah-astronomy] 25x100mm binos
by Seth Jarvis 06 Oct '06

06 Oct '06

Chuck, that's extremely helpful information. What's the link to your gallery page? Thanks, Seth -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+sjarvis=slco.org(a)mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+sjarvis=slco.org@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Hards Sent: Friday, October 06, 2006 1:33 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] 25x100mm binos Hi Seth (et al): I've never seen a commercial parallelogram that I liked, therefore I build my own. I think I still have a photo of my latest "heavy-duty" unit on my Gallery page, if you care to look it up. It's an in-progress shot but you can get the idea. Designed specifically for the 25x100mm heavy monsters. Utilizes Dobsonian technology. The other shots on my Gallery page show my standard parallelogram which holds up to 80mm units comfortably. The maple unit is my favorite for mid-size binoculars. My biggest gripes on commercial units are those with too-short arms, so they can't be used sitting or reclining unless the tripod is shortened first, and units that only pan by rotating the entire arm assembly around the central tripod pivot. One does a lot of walking in circles with these designs. My designs address both of these shortcomings. The longer arms I use also allow a huge range for height differeces in observers- a great star-party advantage when you may have folks that are 6'-4" alongside some kids that may only be just over 3' tall. Having designed and built both metal and wood parallelograms, I now prefer wood for it's vibration-damping qualities and less icy touch in winter. I am unaware of a commercial parallelogram executed in wood. A "pair of binoculars" is one of those incorrect terms that just made it into the common parlance. I try to use the word "binocular" when talking about a single unit, "binoculars" when talking about the devices as a class of optical instruments, but being not of a highly-practiced accademic demeanor, can sometimes slip. Having troubles with Yahoo today, sorry if this reply is incomplete but it represents multiple attempts to send. Grrr... --- Seth Jarvis <SJarvis(a)slco.org> wrote: > I own a pair of Celestron 25x100's but I never use > the silly things because > not even my heaviest-duty camera tripod can keep > them steady. > > I've seen parallelogram-type mounts, but they all > have maximum weight > capacities that are less than the weight of the > 25x100 monsters. > > How do you guys manage these things? > > Why is just one of them called a "pair of > binoculars" and I'm forced to > speak of them in the plural? Wouldn't it make more > sense to call them a > "pair of monoculars?" > > Just grousing. I really do want to know how big-bino > owners manage to use > theirs. > > $170 sounds like a screamin' deal. Maybe the money > you save on them can go > towards a monster tripod & mount. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ 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

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RE: [Utah-astronomy] 25x100mm binos
by Wayne Sumner 06 Oct '06

06 Oct '06

Hi Seth, I modified my parallelogram mount to handle the 25x100 binoculars I just bought from Patrick Wiggins last week, and it holds them (it) very steady. The parallelogram is mounted on a very solid (think expensive) Bogen tripod. If you have never scanned the southern summer skies around Sagitarius under very dark skies with a large binocular, you are in for a real treat. I still remember showing comets Schumaker-Levi and Hyakutaki to people through my 20x80's and hearing the gasps as people reacted to the beauty of the image. Clear skies! Wayne A. Sumner Math/Physics/Astronomy/Engineering Boy's Tennis Coach Northridge High School Davis School District (801) 402-8610 >>> SJarvis(a)slco.org 10/06/06 9:57 AM >>> I own a pair of Celestron 25x100's but I never use the silly things because not even my heaviest-duty camera tripod can keep them steady. I've seen parallelogram-type mounts, but they all have maximum weight capacities that are less than the weight of the 25x100 monsters. How do you guys manage these things? Why is just one of them called a "pair of binoculars" and I'm forced to speak of them in the plural? Wouldn't it make more sense to call them a "pair of monoculars?" Just grousing. I really do want to know how big-bino owners manage to use theirs. $170 sounds like a screamin' deal. Maybe the money you save on them can go towards a monster tripod & mount. Seth -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+sjarvis=slco.org(a)mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+sjarvis=slco.org@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Hards Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006 5:18 PM To: Utah-Astro Subject: [Utah-astronomy] 25x100mm binos Fotar binos (same as Celestron, Apogee) on-sale for $169.99: http://www.heartlandamerica.com/browse/item.asp?product=fotar-25-x-100-binoc ulars&PIN=38295&GUID=E78F6819-F4D7-412A-B921-46B9FDE9D925&BC=S&DL=SEH8 Shipping charges extra. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ 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 _______________________________________________ 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

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RE: [Utah-astronomy] 25x100mm binos
by Michael Carnes 06 Oct '06

06 Oct '06

Hi Seth, I've got a pair of the old Orion Japanese 20x80's (they're probably Vixens under the skin) that weigh about 5 pounds. They're glorious binoculars, but weigh in at probably double the low-priced binos currently on the market. My parallelogram is rated at 5 pounds, but can't really come close the carrying the load. As a result, I don't take the binos out very often. Parallelograms have a number of problems. Because you've got a lot of weight dangling out on long levers, it can take one quite a while to settle down. The claim that's made for them is that they're great for star parties. I dispute that. Yes, they stay reasonably on target as you raise/lower the arm. But that weight hanging out 3-4 feet in the dark is really dangerous when somebody's little brat (sorry, I meant to say little darling) comes charging through and runs in to it. The kid gets an concussion and the observer gets a broken nose. And besides, the interocular adjustment needs to be changed when the binos go to somebody else anyway. So the only real advantage to a parallelogram is that you can more easily see things near the zenith from a lawn chair. Having said that, something like this might do the trick. http://www.bigbinoculars.com/tmount.htm I'll bet you Chuck weighs in on this one. I think he's solved this problem for himself in a typically clever way. Michael >I own a pair of Celestron 25x100's but I never use the silly things because >not even my heaviest-duty camera tripod can keep them steady. > >

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25x100mm binos
by Chuck Hards 05 Oct '06

05 Oct '06

Fotar binos (same as Celestron, Apogee) on-sale for $169.99: http://www.heartlandamerica.com/browse/item.asp?product=fotar-25-x-100-bino… Shipping charges extra. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Which 80 mm refractor to buy?
by Ann Blanchard 05 Oct '06

05 Oct '06

We have an 11" Celestron CPC (our first telescope purchased this June), and we are really enjoying, but we have been thinking it would be good to have a smaller, more portable scope, for ease of use and perhaps some simple astrophotography. My husband, Craig has been looking at an 80 mm refractor such as the Meade ED triplet apo (series 5000), or the Orion ED apo, or the Celstron Onyx ED. Has anyone used these and have a recommendation? We also don't know what would be a good, but not too expensive equatorial mount for a refractor. Thanks for any advice you have, when you are just starting, there are so many choices, it's hard to know what might be best.

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