No, not for storing it at SPOC, the LP is too much and SPOC isn't a true dark site. Good to have there for a few star parties but this thing needs to be at dark sites to really show its stuff off in the best possible dark. It needs a sign that says "Warning: Aperture Fever for Amateurs" and another that says "Welcome to the Dark Side." . Having Mike take it to the major star parties like Bryce, Texas, Nebraska, Oregon, Golden State in California, the Grand Canyon Star Party, Great Basin, now that is where this scope needs to be shown to the public, both the general public and the body of public amateur astronomers IMHO. If you really wanted to show the public, have it set up out over in Arches or Canyonlands for a week. Now that gives me goose bumps just thinking of the views of M13, M17, M16, M22 from some of these sites. The Lagoon and Trifed not to mention The Borg Cube or M11. M57 would certainly show the central star at those sites with ease. YMMV and IMHO this leviathan was made for Mike's use and to show off to the public at very dark sites. Jay
Jay, I'm sure Patrick was suggesting only a temporary structure to assure the telescope's security while doing a short stint at SPOC, nothing permanent. Mike has been single-minded in his goal of taking the scope on the road, until he is too old to do it anymore, then it will reside at his property in Delta- unless he trains an apprentice (the line forms behind me). Sans a building, you'd need a ten-foot-high chain link fence with razor wire running along the top. I would never leave that thing there unattended, for any length of time at all. On Sun, Oct 27, 2013 at 11:29 PM, Jay Eads <jayleads@gmail.com> wrote:
No, not for storing it at SPOC, the LP is too much and SPOC isn't a true dark site. Good to have there for a few star parties but this thing needs to be at dark sites to really show its stuff off in the best possible dark.
Well said, Jay. Seems like a lot of chatter on the list trying to tell Mike what he should do, but after all, it is really his to do with as he desires. And, I am sure he will. 73 On 10/27/2013 11:29 PM, Jay Eads wrote:
No, not for storing it at SPOC, the LP is too much and SPOC isn't a true dark site. Good to have there for a few star parties but this thing needs to be at dark sites to really show its stuff off in the best possible dark. Having Mike take it to the major star parties like Bryce, Texas, Nebraska, Oregon, Golden State in California, the Grand Canyon Star Party, Great Basin, now that is where this scope needs to be shown to the public, both the general public and the body of public amateur astronomers IMHO.
I don't think anybody tried to tell Mike anything, Larry. Mike's made a few comments to folks about where he's going to take the scope and SPOC was on the short list, but it was never suggested that he leave it there, he just offered to bring it for a star party. I think Jay may have panicked. Mike's said he's going to take it on the road for as long as he can afford to, and after that, who knows? On Mon, Oct 28, 2013 at 3:51 PM, Larry Holmes <larry@kijoda.com> wrote:
Well said, Jay. Seems like a lot of chatter on the list trying to tell Mike what he should do, but after all, it is really his to do with as he desires. And, I am sure he will. 73
Hi Chuck, I think a while ago you mentioned that Mike was silvering the mirror since it was too big to put in a chamber. When I was in high school I ground a mirror and I believe I used silver nitrate and hydrochloric acid in a process to silver the small mirror (I've forgotten most of the details - but I still remember "do what ya oughter - add the acid to the water. :)" ). I would imagine that Mike is using a less caustic method to silver the mirror. I would love to hear how it is being done. I hope that this is covered in the article that you are writing. Clear skies, Dale. -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Hards Sent: Monday, October 28, 2013 5:08 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Journey to the 1.8 meter I don't think anybody tried to tell Mike anything, Larry. Mike's made a few comments to folks about where he's going to take the scope and SPOC was on the short list, but it was never suggested that he leave it there, he just offered to bring it for a star party. I think Jay may have panicked. Mike's said he's going to take it on the road for as long as he can afford to, and after that, who knows? On Mon, Oct 28, 2013 at 3:51 PM, Larry Holmes <larry@kijoda.com> wrote:
Well said, Jay. Seems like a lot of chatter on the list trying to tell Mike what he should do, but after all, it is really his to do with as he desires. And, I am sure he will. 73
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On 10/28/2013 5:29 PM, Dale Hooper wrote:
Hi Chuck,
I think a while ago you mentioned that Mike was silvering the mirror since it was too big to put in a chamber. When I was in high school I ground a mirror and I believe I used silver nitrate and hydrochloric acid in a process to silver the small mirror (I've forgotten most of the details - but I still remember "do what ya oughter - add the acid to the water. :)" ).
Not on the subject of astronomy, but your remark reminded me of an industrial accident a number of years ago. I had sold an 18' dia FRP tank for mixing HCL & water. A new employee filled the tank about 1/3, or more full of HCL, then opened a 6" water line into the tank. The mix started exotherming, and the employee was standing there listening to the whistling noise of the vent. A foreman rushed over, grabbed the employee, and ran to safety. The tank built up so much pressure inside that it blew apart at the knuckle (bottom joint at the floor). The base was bolted to concrete, so it stayed in place, but the tank shot up like a rocket, about a story and a half, where it made contact with a metal grating floor, and fell back to the floor, almost, but not quite, exactly on the base. Next tank had a 48" dia vent! A simple interlock system would have prevented it. 73
Was that the genesis of the Holmes father-son interest in rocketry? ;-) The new employee was extremely lucky! On Mon, Oct 28, 2013 at 5:54 PM, Larry Holmes <larry@kijoda.com> wrote:
Not on the subject of astronomy, but your remark reminded me of an industrial accident a number of years ago. I had sold an 18' dia FRP tank for mixing HCL & water. A new employee filled the tank about 1/3, or more full of HCL, then opened a 6" water line into the tank. The mix started exotherming, and the employee was standing there listening to the whistling noise of the vent. A foreman rushed over, grabbed the employee, and ran to safety. The tank built up so much pressure inside that it blew apart at the knuckle (bottom joint at the floor). The base was bolted to concrete, so it stayed in place, but the tank shot up like a rocket, about a story and a half, where it made contact with a metal grating floor, and fell back to the floor, almost, but not quite, exactly on the base. Next tank had a 48" dia vent! A simple interlock system would have prevented it. 73
He had forgotten (or never knew) the old saying that keeps you out of trouble when mixing acids and water: Add acid to wata just like you oughta... He added water to acid and got a spectacular event. I am not a chemist, so all you chemists out there, correct me if wrong. Mat -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+mat.hutchings=siemens.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+mat.hutchings=siemens.com@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Larry Holmes Sent: Monday, October 28, 2013 7:55 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Journey to the 1.8 meter On 10/28/2013 5:29 PM, Dale Hooper wrote:
Hi Chuck,
I think a while ago you mentioned that Mike was silvering the mirror since it was too big to put in a chamber. When I was in high school I ground a mirror and I believe I used silver nitrate and hydrochloric acid in a process to silver the small mirror (I've forgotten most of the details - but I still remember "do what ya oughter - add the acid to the water. :)" ).
Not on the subject of astronomy, but your remark reminded me of an industrial accident a number of years ago. I had sold an 18' dia FRP tank for mixing HCL & water. A new employee filled the tank about 1/3, or more full of HCL, then opened a 6" water line into the tank. The mix started exotherming, and the employee was standing there listening to the whistling noise of the vent. A foreman rushed over, grabbed the employee, and ran to safety. The tank built up so much pressure inside that it blew apart at the knuckle (bottom joint at the floor). The base was bolted to concrete, so it stayed in place, but the tank shot up like a rocket, about a story and a half, where it made contact with a metal grating floor, and fell back to the floor, almost, but not quite, exactly on the base. Next tank had a 48" dia vent! A simple interlock system would have prevented it. 73 _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options". This message and any attachments are solely for the use of intended recipients. The information contained herein may include trade secrets, protected health or personal information, privileged or otherwise confidential information. Unauthorized review, forwarding, printing, copying, distributing, or using such information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you are not an intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you received this email in error, and that any review, dissemination, distribution or copying of this email and any attachment is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please contact the sender and delete the message and any attachment from your system. Thank you for your cooperation
And the corollary: Add wata to acid and be a sad bastid ;-) On Tue, Oct 29, 2013 at 8:08 AM, Hutchings, Mat <mat.hutchings@siemens.com>wrote:
He had forgotten (or never knew) the old saying that keeps you out of trouble when mixing acids and water: Add acid to wata just like you oughta... He added water to acid and got a spectacular event.
I am not a chemist, so all you chemists out there, correct me if wrong.
LOL -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Hards Sent: Tuesday, October 29, 2013 10:14 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Journey to the 1.8 meter And the corollary: Add wata to acid and be a sad bastid ;-) On Tue, Oct 29, 2013 at 8:08 AM, Hutchings, Mat <mat.hutchings@siemens.com>wrote:
He had forgotten (or never knew) the old saying that keeps you out of trouble when mixing acids and water: Add acid to wata just like you oughta... He added water to acid and got a spectacular event.
I am not a chemist, so all you chemists out there, correct me if wrong.
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Hi Dale: Chemically I believe it's a very similar procedure, but the application method is more ecconomical. The article won't dwell on the technical details, but there is currently a thread on Cloudy Nights about it, and it lists suppliers and I believe a reference to procedures. It's in the ATM forum. C. On Mon, Oct 28, 2013 at 5:29 PM, Dale Hooper <Dale.Hooper@sdl.usu.edu>wrote:
Hi Chuck,
I think a while ago you mentioned that Mike was silvering the mirror since it was too big to put in a chamber. When I was in high school I ground a mirror and I believe I used silver nitrate and hydrochloric acid in a process to silver the small mirror (I've forgotten most of the details - but I still remember "do what ya oughter - add the acid to the water. :)" ).
I would imagine that Mike is using a less caustic method to silver the mirror. I would love to hear how it is being done. I hope that this is covered in the article that you are writing.
I have not read one post from, Mike.
I don't think anybody tried to tell Mike anything, Larry. Mike's made a
few comments to folks about where he's going to take the scope and SPOC was on the short list, but it was never suggested that he leave it there, he just offered to bring it for a star party. I think Jay may have panicked. Mike's said he's going to take it on the road for as long as he can afford to, and after that, who knows?
On Mon, Oct 28, 2013 at 3:51 PM, Larry Holmes <larry@kijoda.com> wrote:
Well said, Jay. Seems like a lot of chatter on the list trying to tell Mike what he should do, but after all, it is really his to do with as he desires. And, I am sure he will. 73
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Erik, Mike does not have email or any online presence. His remarks have been to several of us in person, face-to-face. Most of what people know about the big scope comes from visits with him both during construction and after the recent completion. Most recently, he talked about taking it to Riverside with Charlie Green, Steve Dodds, and I at lunch just yesterday. On Mon, Oct 28, 2013 at 5:53 PM, Erik Hansen <erikhansen@thebluezone.net>wrote:
I have not read one post from, Mike.
participants (6)
-
Chuck Hards -
Dale Hooper -
Erik Hansen -
Hutchings, Mat -
Jay Eads -
Larry Holmes