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RE: [Utah-astronomy] The moon
by David Dunn 12 May '03

12 May '03

Jim, It sounds like you and I find things in a similar way. I have noticed that I have trouble finding M81 & M82 this time of year. I think that it is because the Big Dipper is upside down to the way I usually see it during the Summer and Fall. I have found that I always move the wrong way when I go searching for it. I picked them up a few weeks ago, when the moon had washed out Leo and Virgo's galaxies, and they were real bright. Dave -----Original Message----- From: Jim Gibson [mailto:xajax99@yahoo.com] Sent: Monday, May 12, 2003 1:44 PM To: Astronomy in Utah Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] The moon Debbie You wrote: Do you live near the mountain in PG? Yes, I do. I use a telrad to get me on target, but I seldom hit right on, then I start searching through the eyepiece. That method has worked for me before. I just had a tuff time last Saturday night. You wrote: The globular clusters looked good If you are talking about M13, I did locate that with no problem. It is beautiful. I am thinking of adding a 3" finder scope to help in the search. Do you know of any good ones? I did a little googleing and all I turned up were 9X50mm. I think a 3" inch finder scope will be more like 150mm won't it? Jim _____ Do you Yahoo!? The New <http://us.rd.yahoo.com/search/mailsig/*http://search.yahoo.com> Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.

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Is there anybody out there?
by Kim Hyatt 12 May '03

12 May '03

I've been asked if we could have a "solar expert" attend a news conference, possibly with a suitable telescope, on Friday for the kickoff of a skin cancer awareness event. I was planning to do this myself, but the nes conference was originally scheduled for Thursday. I can't do it on Friday, so would anyone else like to volunteer? Kim A. Hyatt, AIA SL&A Architects 331 South Rio Grande, Suite 304 Salt Lake City, Utah 84101 Tel: 801.322.5550 x122 Fax: 801.322.5557

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] URGENT request for advice
by UTAHDEB＠aol.com 12 May '03

12 May '03

Joe, If your observing interest are visual, I'd go with a dob. With good optics and good collimation the views are spectacular at a dark site. Collimation is not a problem once you learn how to do it. If you want to get into astro-photography then get the SCT with a good mount. I prefer the GEM mount over the fork mount. Personally, I think there are better designs for astro-photography such as the Mak-Cass or Mak-Newtonian but of course these are more expensive. Tracking platforms work well with dobsonians and most people are pleased with their performance. You can always buy one later. The important thing is to put your money into good optics and to be real careful with them. You don't want to be dropping things on your primary. My mirror box weighs about 60 lbs. This is about the limit for me for handling a large scope. Traveling with this size scope is not a problem but it performs best at a dark site. I took mine down to Texas in '98 and had a blast. Debbie

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RE: [Utah-astronomy] URGENT request for advice
by forrell＠es.com 12 May '03

12 May '03

The weight factor was one reason I had to sell my Meade 10" SCT. The fork mount and OTA are just too heavy for one person to set up or haul up and down stairs to the car. I wound up getting a CG-11 (now the CM-11). Overall the weight is comparable, but the mount breaks down into more easily manageable pieces. -----Original Message----- From: Joe Bauman [mailto:bau@desnews.com] Sent: Monday, May 12, 2003 11:19 AM To: Astronomy in Utah Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] URGENT request for advice Thanks, Barney. The fact is, I would not use it in the SLC region except once in a while to show the family what's visibile from the backyard. What I want to do is tote it off to a dark-sky site like the Wedge (one of my favorites) and set it up there. But I almost always go alone and I am worried that it might be too unweildy and heavy for one guy to set up. The heaviest piece is 75 pounds, which I think I can handle OK just now -- but I'm 57 and not sure if I have another 10 years of being able to lift 75 pound onto a tripod if it's really ackward. I doubt I'll build an observatory. I just like to put my gear in the back of a vehicle and head out to the desert. Best wishes, Joe Joe Bauman science & military reporter Deseret News bau(a)desnews.com (801) 237-2169 _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy

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URGENT request for advice
by Joe Bauman 12 May '03

12 May '03

Dear fellow astronomy fans, I am on the verge of buying one of Meade's 12 inch GPS-ers with all the trimmin's. As I am sure many know, they are on sale, and for an extra $65 you get what looks like a great set of eyepieces. Tomorrow I will make up my mind most likely. Anyway, I have two questions for you: 1, Someone mentioned reflectors as being better. So here I go again with reflectors vs. catadioptric. For the same kind of buck (say $3,500-ish), what brand reflector is preferable that will track and do the job as well? I'm not interested in spending any more for a really great tripod and tracker; the price should include everything. Do reflectors track as well? Are they harder to set up? Also, do you think reflectors' well-known propensity for needing recolumnation frequently is a problem? Is their larger profile likely to be a hassle during breezy nights? Any other thoughts, pro or con, would be highly appreciated. 2. A sales rep I called cited "two to four weeks" of backlog at the Meade factory. Is this realistic? Best wishes, Joe Joe Bauman science & military reporter Deseret News bau(a)desnews.com (801) 237-2169

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] The moon
by Joe Bauman 12 May '03

12 May '03

What a great report, Jim. Makes me want to look at the moon again, after years of thinking of it as the observer's enemy. -- Joe Joe Bauman science & military reporter Deseret News bau(a)desnews.com (801) 237-2169

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] RTMC
by UTAHDEB＠aol.com 09 May '03

09 May '03

Hi Jim, I checked the RTMC website and found out that there is a $20 per day day-use fee. I can't afford a motel plus $60 for the day-use fees. I don't know of anybody else that is going. I'm saving my money for Lowell Observatory. Debbie

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RTMC
by UTAHDEB＠aol.com 09 May '03

09 May '03

Anybody going to RTMC this year. What is the webpage so I can look it up? Debbie

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Meade 8" Model 2080/LX3 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope for sale
by Richard Tenney 08 May '03

08 May '03

The BEST place is Astromart: http://www.astromart.com --- Cynthia Blue <cynlists(a)cynthiablue.net> wrote: > Where is a good place to list telescopes for sale on > the web? I remember > David posting some binocs from a website... but now > I can't remember where > that was! LOL. > > Just a thought... ;) > Cyn > > > > http://www.cynthiablue.net > http://www.animalfoster.com > http://www.utahdogs.com > -------Original Message------- > > From: GeyserGuy(a)attbi.com; Astronomy in Utah > Date: Thursday, May 08, 2003 08:21:55 AM > To: Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Meade 8" Model 2080/LX3 > Schmidt-Cassegrain > telescope for sale > > Hi everyone, > I have for sale a 1985 Meade 8" Model 2080/LX3 > Schmidt-Cassegrain > telescope with all the accessories including > photographic and motor. The > telescope is like new as it is hardly used. The > retail back then was over > $2000. It would be great for a young, enthusiastic > space buff or used as an > upscale second scope for anyone. I would take best > offer, so if it is > reasonable, it could be yours soon. If you live in > or near Salt Lake City, > Utah, it can be looked at and delivered. Cynthia > Heyman has a picture of it > on her web site. I have included the link below. > The solar filter was hers > and is not included. If you are interested or just > have questions, please > email me. > http://www.cynthiablue.net/home/um0802.htm > > ___________________ > Note the new email address > This will change to GeyserGuy(a)comcast.net soon. > > Mark Knowlden > GeyserGuy(a)attbi.com > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo. http://search.yahoo.com

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Harry Potter Star Party - B&N in Orem June 20
by Richard Tenney 08 May '03

08 May '03

Mark your calendars -- Roger Ockey from SLAS and I have agreed to host a star party for the Orem Barnes and Noble Bookstore Friday June 20th to kick off the release of the new Harry Potter book which, as I understand, contains some astronomy that will get kids excited to head out and take a look. The program director there told me today she's anticipating between 400 and 800 people at the store that night from 9:30 to 11:30 pm. If you can participate and bring a telescope please let me know. The store is making a contribution to SLAS (which should be splitting the proceeds with UVAA), and offering a 40% discount to anyone who pre-orders on the new book if you enjoy them like my family does. If you can make it that night, please let me know. If you want a discounted copy of the book, call the store and have them reserve a copy for you for that night (mention you're with UVAA or SLAS). It sounds like it will be fun. They also have a bunch of other activities planned for that night -- a magician, face paintings, etc; a good family date-night. See you there! -Rich __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo. http://search.yahoo.com

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