After years of not having the luxury of a computer, now I find it hard to turn mine off I must admit. However, Messier Marathon time is one occasion I make a big exception. The sense of accomplishment from finding all those objects (my personal record so far is 107) in one night is one that doesn't wear off quickly. And it won't be long before it's time to give it another shot! I guess the marathon is something some love to do and others rebel at the idea. I find it a great excuse to spend an exciting night out under the stars. Richard --- In backbayastro@..., "S. Kent Blackwell" <kent@e...> wrote: I agree with Lelane about finding objects by starhopping. In all my years of stargazing my true love has been the "thrill" of finding something on my own. It's a rewarding experience one cannot attain by simply dialing it in on a computer. Now, I'll admit some people simply don't have the time to devote to spending half the night looking for a handful of objects but I do suggest every once in a while turning off those computers and brushing up on starhopping. I did this a few nights ago and will say I had more fun stargazing that evening than I've had in a long time. So there!
|
Sorry if posting stuff for sale is off topic, or maybe it's not, I'm
not sure. Anyway, I have a few more things I want to get rid of a
club member might be interested in. I have not posted these on
Astromart so maybe a club member will actually get a chance at
them.
1) Orion 50mm 2" Plossl. This is a very nice eyepiece for someone
who wants to get into the 2" world on the cheap. It was my
first 2" when I bought it a dozzen years ago. It is multi-
coated, however acid-dew has slightly etched the coatings
a slight amount. This is really unnoticable in use. There
are no scratches on the lenses and the eyepiece is otherwise
in great shape. $40.
2) Orion Tri-mag 3X barlow. Absolutely like new. New price is
$44.95 + S&H. I will sell for $20.
3) Piggyback camera addapter for Meade 10" SCT. Very good condition.
I no longer have a 10" Meade. $25
4) TeleVue 11mm Plossl purchaced new in November. Like new with
caps and box. New price $82 + S&H. I will sell for $65.
Please contact me offline at dickson@.... I can deliver any
of these at one of the upcomming viewing sessions.
Thanks,
Richard Dickson
|
I agree with Lelane about finding objects by
starhopping. In all my years of stargazing my true love has been the "thrill" of
finding something on my own. It's a rewarding experience one cannot?attain
by simply dialing it in on a computer. Now, I'll admit some people simply don't
have the time to devote to spending half the night looking for a handful of
objects but I do suggest every once in a while turning off those computers and
brushing up on starhopping. I did this a few nights ago and will say I had more
fun stargazing that evening than I've had in a long time. So there!
?
Kent Blackwell
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, February 14, 2003 8:57
AM
Subject: RE: [backbayastro] New / Used
Scopes
HI Mat,
??? I have never purchased anything from Astromart. All my purchases
have been from Orion. Which I have never had a bad experience. I myself prefer
a dob. There is nothing like it. They are the least complicated and in my
opinion have the best view. I like the challenge of finding it myself instead
of the go to feature. Good luck on any choice you make.
?
Lelane
Arneson
I have never been
burned at Astromart, and think it's a valuable source for
an amateur.
However, you should be versed on what you're buying. Remember,
if you're
not completely satisfied there is no recourse when buying
something
used.
Along the lines of Meade telescopes I will say I cannot
remember seeing bad
optics from them. Quite the contrast, both they and
Celestron are making
better optics now than ever in their history. The
mechanics/electronics are,
however, varied. And forget those instruction
manuals! Still, it's amazing
they can sell complete telescopes for the
price they do.
Kent Blackwell
----- Original Message
-----
From:
To:
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2003
6:05 PM
Subject: [backbayastro] New / Used Scopes
>
Hi? all
>
> As I am a new member to BBAA I was looking at
getting some advice
> from the membership. As it stands now I am
looking at ordering a new
> Meade LX90 next month (w/UHTC). This will
be my first scope. I have
> been looking at Astromart over the last
month and have seen some nice
> deals... At least what I think are
some nice deals. I was
> wondering if I could get some input from you
all on what you think of
> New / Used and any experiences good or bad
anyone has had dealing
> through Astromart. Any info that might help
so I can make a informed
> decision would be great.
>
>
Thanks much
>
> Mat
>
>
>
> To
unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>
backbayastro-unsubscribe@...
>
>
>
>
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
>
>
>
>
To
unsubscribe from this group, send an email
to:
backbayastro-unsubscribe@...
Your
use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the .
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email
to:
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|
You are the
MAN! I wish I was a dedicated to this as you are. I would love to be a part of
Fan Mountain. Just let me know what I need to do. Even if I am the coffee girl I
would be happy.
?
Lelane
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I accompanied Dr
Salgado and Dr Miller from Norfolk State to the University
of Virginia
yesterday.? We spoke to several members of the astronomy
department
about a possible collaboration with them in building a remote
robotic
observatory on Fan Mountain.
We later toured the observatory and
discussed possible sites for the NSU
telescope.? Dr Salgado asked me
to attend because BBAA will be an important
partner in the observatory
project.?
You can read all about it in next month's newsletter or
you can go to the
files section of the backbayastro site and download (or
read) the full
report.? I've also uploaded some pictures from Fan
Mountain.? (Click on
photos and then open the Fan Mountain
album.)? I'll try to do a page soon on
our HR.Com website too.
The short version is that we got a very positive response from UVA and
the
project looks like it could go forward with a funding request in
January ...
then who knows.? I hope to arrange an observing session
at Fan Mountain
sometime this year, along with Dr Sagaldo and a few
interested BBAA members,
to help evaluate the site ...
Ted
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email
to:
backbayastro-unsubscribe@...
Your
use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the .
|
HI Mat,
??? I have never purchased anything from Astromart. All my purchases
have been from Orion. Which I have never had a bad experience. I myself prefer a
dob. There is nothing like it. They are the least complicated and in my opinion
have the best view. I like the challenge of finding it myself instead of the go
to feature. Good luck on any choice you make.
?
Lelane
Arneson
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I have never been
burned at Astromart, and think it's a valuable source for
an amateur.
However, you should be versed on what you're buying. Remember,
if you're
not completely satisfied there is no recourse when buying
something
used.
Along the lines of Meade telescopes I will say I cannot remember
seeing bad
optics from them. Quite the contrast, both they and Celestron
are making
better optics now than ever in their history. The
mechanics/electronics are,
however, varied. And forget those instruction
manuals! Still, it's amazing
they can sell complete telescopes for the
price they do.
Kent Blackwell
----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent:
Thursday, February 13, 2003 6:05 PM
Subject: [backbayastro] New / Used
Scopes
> Hi? all
>
> As I am a new member to
BBAA I was looking at getting some advice
> from the membership. As it
stands now I am looking at ordering a new
> Meade LX90 next month
(w/UHTC). This will be my first scope. I have
> been looking at
Astromart over the last month and have seen some nice
> deals... At
least what I think are some nice deals. I was
> wondering if I could get
some input from you all on what you think of
> New / Used and any
experiences good or bad anyone has had dealing
> through Astromart. Any
info that might help so I can make a informed
> decision would be
great.
>
> Thanks much
>
>
Mat
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an
email to:
>
backbayastro-unsubscribe@...
>
>
>
> Your
use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
>
>
>
>
To
unsubscribe from this group, send an email
to:
backbayastro-unsubscribe@...
Your
use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the .
|
I have never been burned at Astromart, and think it's a valuable source for
an amateur. However, you should be versed on what you're buying. Remember,
if you're not completely satisfied there is no recourse when buying
something used.
Along the lines of Meade telescopes I will say I cannot remember seeing bad
optics from them. Quite the contrast, both they and Celestron are making
better optics now than ever in their history. The mechanics/electronics are,
however, varied. And forget those instruction manuals! Still, it's amazing
they can sell complete telescopes for the price they do.
Kent Blackwell
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
----- Original Message ----- From: <newfie122@...> To: <backbayastro@...> Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2003 6:05 PM Subject: [backbayastro] New / Used Scopes Hi all
As I am a new member to BBAA I was looking at getting some advice
from the membership. As it stands now I am looking at ordering a new
Meade LX90 next month (w/UHTC). This will be my first scope. I have
been looking at Astromart over the last month and have seen some nice
deals... At least what I think are some nice deals. I was
wondering if I could get some input from you all on what you think of
New / Used and any experiences good or bad anyone has had dealing
through Astromart. Any info that might help so I can make a informed
decision would be great.
Thanks much
Mat
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
backbayastro-unsubscribe@...
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
|
Mat
I've been dealing on astromart for 3 yrs. buying
and selling and have never been
ripped.? I notice allot of the LX200 8" for
sale. You can buy a new one for $1999 + ship
I've seen them for 1200 or less (always make a
counter offer) I have a LX, awesome machines.
Two of our members have Lx90's and are performing
just as well as the LX200's. The difference is
for long exposure photography and a few extra's.
The 90 is a great scope for the price.
Dale Carey.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2003 6:05
PM
Subject: [backbayastro] New / Used
Scopes
Hi? all
As I am a new member to BBAA I was
looking at getting some advice
from the membership. As it stands now I am
looking at ordering a new
Meade LX90 next month (w/UHTC). This will be my
first scope. I have
been looking at Astromart over the last month and have
seen some nice
deals….. At least what I think are some nice deals. I
was
wondering if I could get some input from you all on what you think of
New / Used and any experiences good or bad anyone has had dealing
through Astromart. Any info that might help so I can make a informed
decision would be great.
Thanks
much
Mat
To unsubscribe from this group, send
an email
to:
backbayastro-unsubscribe@...
Your
use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the .
|
Hi all
As I am a new member to BBAA I was looking at getting some advice
from the membership. As it stands now I am looking at ordering a new
Meade LX90 next month (w/UHTC). This will be my first scope. I have
been looking at Astromart over the last month and have seen some nice
deals….. At least what I think are some nice deals. I was
wondering if I could get some input from you all on what you think of
New / Used and any experiences good or bad anyone has had dealing
through Astromart. Any info that might help so I can make a informed
decision would be great.
Thanks much
Mat
|
Re: TeleVue Panoptic 35mm for sale
Sorry Dale, I already sold it. It sold a
few minutes after I posted to the group.
On another topic, my wife is willing to help
you with the photo album. She is pretty
knowledgable about that kind of thing.
Her name is Karen and she will be in touch
with you.
Sorry about the eyepiece,
Richard
--
Richard Dickson
Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility
dickson@...
(757)269-5082
|
Re: TeleVue Panoptic 35mm for sale
No problem and I can use any assistance on the
album I can get
Dale
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2003 5:06
PM
Subject: Re: [backbayastro] TeleVue
Panoptic 35mm for sale
Sorry Dale, I already sold it. It sold a
few minutes
after I posted to the group.
On another topic, my wife is willing to
help
you with the photo album. She is pretty
knowledgable about that
kind of thing.
Her name is Karen and she will be in touch
with
you.
Sorry about the eyepiece,
Richard
--
Richard
Dickson
Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator
Facility
dickson@...
(757)269-5082
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from this group, send an email
to:
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Your
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|
Re: TeleVue Panoptic 35mm for sale
Richard
I'll take it
Dale
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2003 3:59
PM
Subject: [backbayastro] TeleVue Panoptic
35mm for sale
I have an excellent condition Panoptic 35mm that I
placed
for sale on Astromart for $280 that I will sell to a local
member
for $250. This assumes I do not have to pay shipping
and can just hand off
in person. It also assumes you will
not just flip it for a quick buck.
:)?? The street price
new for this guy is $365 plus
shipping.? See my add on
Astromart for details and a photo. The optics
are "as new".
You can reply through Astromart and mention you are a
club
member for the cheaper price.
Thanks,
Richard
Dickson
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email
to:
backbayastro-unsubscribe@...
Your
use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the .
|
TeleVue Panoptic 35mm for sale
I have an excellent condition Panoptic 35mm that I placed
for sale on Astromart for $280 that I will sell to a local
member for $250. This assumes I do not have to pay shipping
and can just hand off in person. It also assumes you will
not just flip it for a quick buck. :) The street price
new for this guy is $365 plus shipping. See my add on
Astromart for details and a photo. The optics are "as new".
You can reply through Astromart and mention you are a club
member for the cheaper price.
Thanks,
Richard Dickson
|
I accompanied Dr Salgado and Dr Miller from Norfolk State to the University
of Virginia yesterday. We spoke to several members of the astronomy
department about a possible collaboration with them in building a remote
robotic observatory on Fan Mountain.
We later toured the observatory and discussed possible sites for the NSU
telescope. Dr Salgado asked me to attend because BBAA will be an important
partner in the observatory project.
You can read all about it in next month's newsletter or you can go to the
files section of the backbayastro site and download (or read) the full
report. I've also uploaded some pictures from Fan Mountain. (Click on
photos and then open the Fan Mountain album.) I'll try to do a page soon on
our HR.Com website too.
The short version is that we got a very positive response from UVA and the
project looks like it could go forward with a funding request in January ...
then who knows. I hope to arrange an observing session at Fan Mountain
sometime this year, along with Dr Sagaldo and a few interested BBAA members,
to help evaluate the site ...
Ted
|
Shuttle Pictures with Webcam
Guys,
We were talking at the meeting last Thursday about NASA using K3CCD
Tools to process images of the shuttle.
Now it appears that the picture attributed to the Air Forces Starfire
tracking station showing damage to the left wing was actually shot by
some engineers there playing around with a webcam and a 3.5" scope.
See the article at:
Rob
|
On behalf of BBAA, THANK YOU Ted Forte, George "3" Reynolds, Rick
Bish and Dick Moncure for volunteering at Western Branch
Intermediate Science Expo last night and for "Bringing Astronomy to
the People of Hampton Roads!"
Thanks for volunteering!
georgie :)
|
Western Branch tonight....
I wish I could be at Western Branch tonight but my workload is
keeping me tied to my chair. Have a great time with the kids tonight!
|
Can't make it.? Good luck to all.
Gerry
|
Thanks for the encouragement, Kent.? Unfortunately, I have been battling a lingering illness since Christmas, and have been reluctant to go out in the cold night air.? Usually, I am so healthy . . . that it makes me sick!?  ? I plan to be at W. Branch tonight.
?
?"kentblackwell " wrote:
This is mainly a test to make sure everything is going smoothly at
this new address.
Let's all keep looking up, even during periods of the full moon.
There are lots of nice open clusters and planetary nebulae which can
be observed under city lights and moonlight. Forget globulars and
galaxies though; save those for dark skies.
Kent Blackwell
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
backbayastro-unsubscribe@...
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the .
George Reynolds, Deputy Commander, Tidewater South Section Royal Rangers
Visit my Web page:? ?
"Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia
?Member, Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA)?
Do you Yahoo!?
- Powerful. Affordable.
|
Western Branch Intermediate
Just a reminder that we have an event at Western Branch Intermediate tonight, Tuesday, February 11. 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. The school is located at 4013 Terry Drive in Chesapeake. 494-7355
The weather doesn't look too bad, we might have some clear sky. We can hope anyway. See you there!
Ted
|
This is mainly a test to make sure everything is going smoothly at
this new address.
Let's all keep looking up, even during periods of the full moon.
There are lots of nice open clusters and planetary nebulae which can
be observed under city lights and moonlight. Forget globulars and
galaxies though; save those for dark skies.
Kent Blackwell
|
Kent Blackwell