Pick your restaurant:
<http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/OAFs/surveys?id=2475552>


-ad

A bunch of us went to NEAF 2007 this weekend past, here is a URL to my
photos of the event.  Feel free to leave comments.


http://stargazer.dvrdns.org/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1406

--
bruce

Yeah me, I went through every one of them. I think that the telescopes
that fascinated me the most were those wood ones. Some of those were
works of art. Since you were there, was there an underlying metal frame
or were they indeed mostly wood as they looked. I was wondering how well
collimation would hold up, especially on that truss dob. And that truss
dob really looked cool. It reminded me of the Flintstones :).

staglite wrote:
>
> A bunch of us went to NEAF 2007 this weekend past, here is a URL to my
> photos of the event. Feel free to leave comments.
>
> http://stargazer.dvrdns.org/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1406
> <http://stargazer.dvrdns.org/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1406>
>
> --
> bruce
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.6.2/782 - Release Date: 01/05/2007 2:10
AM
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I was there. Normand's scopes looked like all-wood to me.

Wood is a pretty good telescope making material: it has good damping
properties. My 25" has major wood components. Paul Boltwood, who
collects photometry data which he submits to astrophysicists uses a
16inch wooden-tube newtonian on a byers mount.

Wood scopes can be designed to hold colimation. Metal scopes can can
be mis-built to not  hold colimation. I think it depends more on the
design and execution of the scope rather than the materials.

However, after 10 years of having a 25" wooden scope, I see the
advantage of aluminum. That's because I'm too lazy to keep waxing the
wood on my scope to keep it waterproof.

-ad

On 5/1/07, InQ <inq@...> wrote:
> Yeah me, I went through every one of them. I think that the telescopes
> that fascinated me the most were those wood ones. Some of those were
> works of art. Since you were there, was there an underlying metal frame
> or were they indeed mostly wood as they looked. I was wondering how well
> collimation would hold up, especially on that truss dob. And that truss
> dob really looked cool. It reminded me of the Flintstones :).
>
> staglite wrote:
> >
> > A bunch of us went to NEAF 2007 this weekend past, here is a URL to my
> > photos of the event. Feel free to leave comments.
> >
> > http://stargazer.dvrdns.org/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1406
> > <http://stargazer.dvrdns.org/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1406>
> >
> > --
> > bruce
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > No virus found in this incoming message.
> > Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> > Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.6.2/782 - Release Date: 01/05/2007
2:10 AM
> >
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>


--
attilla danko, danko@..., http://cleardarksky.com/csk

On Tuesday 01 May 2007 6:42 pm, InQ wrote:
> Yeah me, I went through every one of them. I think that the telescopes
> that fascinated me the most were those wood ones. Some of those were
> works of art. Since you were there, was there an underlying metal frame
> or were they indeed mostly wood as they looked. I was wondering how well
> collimation would hold up, especially on that truss dob. And that truss
> dob really looked cool. It reminded me of the Flintstones :).

Those scope are by Norman Fullum and they are all wood, well with the
exception of where metal would normally be required.  They are all true works
of art.   My understanding was the everyone of those scope sold within the
first day of NEAF.  Amazing.

I talked to Norman for 30 minutes or more and I is a very approachable and
nice guy.  I should also mention the mirrors in those scope he also make and
they are of the highest quality, as good as Zambuto mirrors.
--
bruce

Attilla Danko wrote:
> I was there. Normand's scopes looked like all-wood to me.
>
> Wood is a pretty good telescope making material: it has good damping
> properties. My 25" has major wood components. Paul Boltwood, who
> collects photometry data which he submits to astrophysicists uses a
> 16inch wooden-tube newtonian on a byers mount.

I'm not a big fan of Byers mounts, and Paul had to make significant
modifications to his to make it work correctly.  He is in the process of
switching to a Mathis Instruments mount (http://www.mathis-instruments.com/).
Tom Mathis was set up right beside us at NEAF -- his mounts look *very* robust.

Doug

-----------------------------------

Doug George
dgeorge@...

Diffraction Limited
Makers of Cyanogen Imaging Products
http://www.cyanogen.com

25 Conover Street
Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada, K2G 4C3

Phone:    (613) 225-2732
Fax:      (613) 225-9688

-----------------------------------

> I'm not a big fan of Byers mounts, and Paul had to make significant
> modifications to his to make it work correctly.

Yes, the story of Paul's mount is epic. However i mentioned it only to
make it clear how serious an instrument Paul choose to use wood in.

-ad

(In toronto, behind on email, won't be home for Friday dinner or
meeting)

Thanks for the comments on the RASC Outreach article folks, good to
know people read this stuff.

A reminder: more RASC home-page "feature articles" are always
needed.  Articles can be topical, personal interest, event-related,
scholarly, personal, anything. The nice thing about event-related
articles (i.e. a particular observing event, or a seasonal comment)
is they can be written in advance - I've automated the site to allow
pre-scheduling of the publication of articles. The trough is empty,
so the current one will be staying up until I finish the next (basics
on planetary mechanics & history).

Don't make me write them all, you'll tire of it.

Especially, there are subjects that would make good articles where I
am not qualified or experienced to write, and I know some of you are:

- Galaxy observing
- Using huge scopes
- Imaging (long-exposure or video)
- Meteor showers
- Dark-sky star parties (instructions or travelogs)
- Big event star parties (neaf, tsp, etc)
- Building scopes; building piers; building other stuff
- Optical calibration: what makes a good mirror, lens, etc.

etc.   Write away - I'll do the mechanics.

- Richard

Cool, did anyone get a chance to look at/through the new Televue 100 degree
Ethos eyepiece?

--Piz
----- Original Message -----
From: "staglite" <geeko.boy@...>
To: <OAFs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 4:48 PM
Subject: [OAFs] Pictures of NEAF 2007


>A bunch of us went to NEAF 2007 this weekend past, here is a URL to my
> photos of the event.  Feel free to leave comments.
>
>
> http://stargazer.dvrdns.org/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1406
>
> --
> bruce
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>

Bruce's pictures give a better sense of the show than mine. I only
downloaded a few to the NEAF2007 folder in the Photo section. They
illustrate two of the many interesting ideas that I picked up at NEAF. One,
using a car air filter at the base of a reflector. Two, manufacturing
optical tubes with phenolic, resin-impregnated kraft paper and telescoping
the tubes.
Go to: www.fpi-protostar.com/blite.htm for more information.

At NEAF, you not only get to feel like a kid in a candy shop, but you also
learn a lot. The heads or senior researchers of many companies were at NEAF
to demonstrate their products. You have an opportunity to talk to them one
on one. They were as keen and enthusiast talking to us as we were at
astronomy day communicating with the public. NEAF is like an astronomy day
event for amateur astronomers.

There were a lot more booths pertaining to astro-photography and
observatories.

Norman Fullum from Quebec had a booth. His wooden telescopes are works of
art and were a hit. His five scopes quickly sold - most if not all to
Europeans that were visiting the show. He also received many orders for
mirrors.

A then there is the comradeship. Four member of OAOG, 4 members of the OAF,
and 2 members of the Montreal centre shared a few meals, laughter, and our
experiences.

They say that you do not get to know a person until you walk a mile in their
shoes or spend 16 hours with them in a van. I got to know three keen amateur
astronomers much better and it was fun.

Joe

Mike Wirths wrote:
> Cool, did anyone get a chance to look at/through the new Televue 100 degree
> Ethos eyepiece?

Yes, I had a look.  It was *very* impressive.  It's so wide you feel like you
have to stick your eye inside it to see properly.  The eyelens is concave, which
helps avoid getting eyelash marks on it!

I suspect I'm about to be poorer by $X (X being whatever they decide to sell it
for) as soon as it goes into production.

Doug

-----------------------------------

Doug George
dgeorge@...

Diffraction Limited
Makers of Cyanogen Imaging Products
http://www.cyanogen.com

25 Conover Street
Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada, K2G 4C3

Phone:    (613) 225-2732
Fax:      (613) 225-9688

-----------------------------------

"Sigh"  thats what I was afraid of!  Doug I guess I'll be joining you in the
poorer by "X" category then! AL Nagler is a bastard! But we love him.
I wonder why they only applied the new design to a relatively high power
13mm ep, why not something in the 18-20mm range, or is there something
inherent in the design that it can only be med-high power?


--Piz
----- Original Message -----
From: "Douglas B. George" <dg@...>
To: <OAFs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 11:00 AM
Subject: Re: [OAFs] Pictures of NEAF 2007


> Mike Wirths wrote:
>> Cool, did anyone get a chance to look at/through the new Televue 100
>> degree
>> Ethos eyepiece?
>
> Yes, I had a look.  It was *very* impressive.  It's so wide you feel like
> you
> have to stick your eye inside it to see properly.  The eyelens is concave,
> which
> helps avoid getting eyelash marks on it!
>
> I suspect I'm about to be poorer by $X (X being whatever they decide to
> sell it
> for) as soon as it goes into production.
>
> Doug
>
> -----------------------------------
>
> Doug George
> dgeorge@...
>
> Diffraction Limited
> Makers of Cyanogen Imaging Products
> http://www.cyanogen.com
>
> 25 Conover Street
> Ottawa, Ontario,
> Canada, K2G 4C3
>
> Phone:    (613) 225-2732
> Fax:      (613) 225-9688
>
> -----------------------------------
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>

On 5/2/07, Mike Wirths <mwirths@...> wrote:
> Cool, did anyone get a chance to look at/through the new Televue 100 degree
> Ethos eyepiece?

Yes.

Its so wide it is a strain to see the field stop. As advertised, the
eyepiece seems to disapear. But I figure I can only preceive the
center 80 or so degrees easily at any time.



Al had the Ethos eyepeice setup in a scope pointed at a paper target
with black rings drawn on it. So one cant yet be sure of how well the
scope will perform for astronomy. However, I did notice color fringes
on the black circles out past 60 or 70 degrees. The center seemed very
sharp.

So, i'd want to see stars in it, and compare with the 31mm and 17mm
Naglers before I'd pay even the current Nagler prices. I'd say its
fair to guess that the Ethos line will cost more than the Nagler line.

As for the price, the official televue answer was "you wont have to
take out a second mortgage". However someone in the crowd quipped: "So
just a first mortgage, then.".

Uncle Al will be bringing an ethos eyepiece to Stellafane, so that is
the earliest oppourtunity for people to see what it can do under a
night sky.

-ad

After a long absence I'm finally going to make the dinner and the meeting.

If you don't want me to be grumpy...put a vote in for Local Hero's so
I can have a couple of beers to dull my senses before the meeting.

<http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/OAFs/surveys?id=2475552>


Cheers,
Albert.

I can't believe that the first meeting I am missing this year is the one that
Albert decides to attend!  I hope it is just a coincidence!!

Have fun.

Bob

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Albert I've never seen you grumpy so I voted for Sandrellas! ;>)

--Piz
----- Original Message -----
From: "Albert Saikaley" <berts@...>
To: <OAFs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 7:00 PM
Subject: [OAFs] It's been a long sabbatical...


> After a long absence I'm finally going to make the dinner and the meeting.
>
> If you don't want me to be grumpy...put a vote in for Local Hero's so
> I can have a couple of beers to dull my senses before the meeting.
>
> <http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/OAFs/surveys?id=2475552>
>
>
> Cheers,
> Albert.
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>

I though that this quote from a guy who is selling his Astro-Physics
mount rather funny:

"After much discussion (you know what I mean) with my wife, and even
though I had to wait on the list for 6 years, it has been decided that
I will not be able to keep this mount. (I should have had them ship it
to my work!)"

It is a good thing that Bob and Mike got their Astro-Physics mounts
before they were engaged (and are married).  There is some sort of
lesson here.  Maybe there should be some sort of pre-nuptial
agreement.

Mike - Ziggy has seen me grumpy...not hard on a three day drive to the
middle of nowhere.

Bob - even though you won't be there doesn't mean you can't vote...

Ziggy - get in there and vote...I'm sure you're a Local Hero type of guy!

Cheers,
Albert.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Wirths" <mwirths@...>
To: <OAFs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2007 9:06 AM
Subject: Re: [OAFs] It's been a long sabbatical...


> Albert I've never seen you grumpy so I voted for Sandrellas! ;>)
>
> --Piz
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Albert Saikaley" <berts@...>
> To: <OAFs@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 7:00 PM
> Subject: [OAFs] It's been a long sabbatical...
>
>
>> After a long absence I'm finally going to make the dinner and the
>> meeting.
>>
>> If you don't want me to be grumpy...put a vote in for Local Hero's so
>> I can have a couple of beers to dull my senses before the meeting.
>>
>> <http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/OAFs/surveys?id=2475552>
>>
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Albert.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>

Nikki from MVC sent me  another darksky bulletin for the muskoka
area. Since some folks were asking where to get/order sheilded
residential lights,  here's an excerpt from this document:

Distributor Location Products Available
Canadian Tire Bracebridge (705-645-9478) • 1 dark sky lighting
product with only a partial cutoff
of uplight: Candarm (wall unit) $9.99

Home Depot Bracebridge (800-516-9301)
Carries two lines
• Hampton Bay products (wall units)
4 different models - Price range: $39.98- 69.98
• SNOC (landscaping units)
6 models - Price range: $52.20 –148.00

Integra Custom
Lighting Solutions
www.
integralighting.com
Port Sydney (705-385-3000)
• Offers design, custom installation and service
• Carries Nightscaping products
Living Lighting Bracebridge (705-646-8891)
Gravenhurst (705-687-7956)
• One full cut-off outdoor wall fixture by Lustrarte -
$195.49
• Are a supplier for SNOC and will order any of these
products as requested
Royal Lighting
www.royallighting.
com
Toronto (416-782-1129)
(Avenue Rd & Lawrence)
• A wide range of dark sky lighting including security
lighting with good shielding, landscape lighting and
residential building lighting with full and partial cutoffs
• Carries products by SNOC and Kichler and will order
anything that those two manufacturers carry
• Price range: $50.00 - $300.00

Sescolite
www.sescolite.com
Burlington (905-632-8659)
Richmond Hill (905-881-5288)
Toronto (416-651-6570)
(Castlefield)
• Fairly limited inventory but carry Troy and SNOC
products
• Troy - Light post: $249.95
Wall unit: $167.95
• SNOC landscaping units: $79.95 – $146.95
• Will order anything from either Troy or SNOC

TechLight Design
www.
techlightdesign.
com
Collingwood (705-888-0802)
• Offers design, custom installation and service
• specializes in custom designed lighting for residential
exteriors using the latest in LED lighting technology
• Carries DelphiTech products

Union Lighting
www.
unionlightingandfurnishings.
com
Toronto (416-652-2200)
(Castlefield)
• Wide array of in-stock inventory
• Kichler wall cylinders (very modern, 100% down):
$57.24 - $92.53
• Sea Gull building wall units, lantern style, variety of
finishes: $41.94 - $280.36
• SNOC landscaping units: $12.95+
• SNOC shielded spotlights: $75.96 - $90.33



./pat browne

Currently the poll for dinner has a 3-way tie. We need a few more
people to vote to make the decision clear. I will announce the
restaurant with the most votes tomorrow at noon.

<http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/OAFs/surveys?id=2475552>

-ad

I could start a rumour about Bob and Albert are really the same person and that
is why they are never seen together.  However, for you that have seen Albert in
his famous "harem pants" would know that this could not be true!!!!


----- Original Message ----
From: Bob Olson <r.olson@...>
To: OAFs@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 2, 2007 11:09:29 PM
Subject: Re: [OAFs] It's been a long sabbatical...

I can't believe that the first meeting I am missing this year is the one that
Albert decides to attend! I hope it is just a coincidence! !

Have fun.

Bob

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Here's an improved Saturn from April 11:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/OAFs/files/Astrophotos/Rolf/070411.jpg

The old one used 1500 frames out of 3000.  This one uses only the best
430 out of 3000.  The luminance is from a Lumenera and the colour from
a Toucam.

C14 at f/37.

I have my colour filters now, but the seeing hasn't been good since I
got them.  Oh well, maybe tonight.

-Rolf

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/OAFs/files/Astrophotos/Rolf/070411.jpg

Very pretty. And encke's division is in the right place.

Rolf,
That's one superb image of Saturn.

Cheers,
Albert.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rolf and Linda" <lmeier@...>
To: <OAFs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2007 10:10 PM
Subject: [OAFs] Improved Saturn


Here's an improved Saturn from April 11:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/OAFs/files/Astrophotos/Rolf/070411.jpg

The old one used 1500 frames out of 3000.  This one uses only the best
430 out of 3000.  The luminance is from a Lumenera and the colour from
a Toucam.

C14 at f/37.

I have my colour filters now, but the seeing hasn't been good since I
got them.  Oh well, maybe tonight.

-Rolf

I think Bob should start wearing harem pants!!!!!!!!! My mind reels from
such a mental image!

--Piz
----- Original Message -----
From: "RICHARD HARDING" <richardharding@...>
To: <OAFs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2007 7:08 PM
Subject: Re: [OAFs] It's been a long sabbatical...


>I could start a rumour about Bob and Albert are really the same person and
>that is why they are never seen together.  However, for you that have seen
>Albert in his famous "harem pants" would know that this could not be
>true!!!!
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Bob Olson <r.olson@...>
> To: OAFs@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, May 2, 2007 11:09:29 PM
> Subject: Re: [OAFs] It's been a long sabbatical...
>
> I can't believe that the first meeting I am missing this year is the one
> that Albert decides to attend! I hope it is just a coincidence! !
>
> Have fun.
>
> Bob
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>

Hugely improved image, excellent Rolf!! I know even though its been nice and
clear the seeing has been terrible! Maybe we'll have a chance in the coming
nights, although the jet stream seems to be glued right over us!

http://squall.sfsu.edu/crws/jetstream.html

--Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rolf and Linda" <lmeier@...>
To: <OAFs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2007 10:10 PM
Subject: [OAFs] Improved Saturn


> Here's an improved Saturn from April 11:
>
> http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/OAFs/files/Astrophotos/Rolf/070411.jpg
>
> The old one used 1500 frames out of 3000.  This one uses only the best
> 430 out of 3000.  The luminance is from a Lumenera and the colour from
> a Toucam.
>
> C14 at f/37.
>
> I have my colour filters now, but the seeing hasn't been good since I
> got them.  Oh well, maybe tonight.
>
> -Rolf
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>

Thanks, Mike and everybody.  Thanks Mike for the link to the detailed
jet stream information.  I sometimes look at this one for a simplified
view:

http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/jet_stream/index_e.html

It sure doesn't help to have it overhead all the time.

-Rolf



--- In OAFs@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Wirths" <mwirths@...> wrote:
>
> Hugely improved image, excellent Rolf!! I know even though its been
nice and
> clear the seeing has been terrible! Maybe we'll have a chance in the
coming
> nights, although the jet stream seems to be glued right over us!
>
> http://squall.sfsu.edu/crws/jetstream.html
>
> --Mike
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Rolf and Linda" <lmeier@...>
> To: <OAFs@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2007 10:10 PM
> Subject: [OAFs] Improved Saturn
>
>
> > Here's an improved Saturn from April 11:
> >
> >
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/OAFs/files/Astrophotos/Rolf/070411.jpg
> >
> > The old one used 1500 frames out of 3000.  This one uses only the best
> > 430 out of 3000.  The luminance is from a Lumenera and the colour from
> > a Toucam.
> >
> > C14 at f/37.
> >
> > I have my colour filters now, but the seeing hasn't been good since I
> > got them.  Oh well, maybe tonight.
> >
> > -Rolf
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

> http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/jet_stream/index_e.html
>
> It sure doesn't help to have it[..the jet stream...] overhead all the time.

True. However, Alan Rahill studied the jet stream and other weather
patterns to correlate them to seeing as he observed though his C14. He
found  30% correleation of bad seeing with the jet stream overhead. He
also found a 70% corrleation of bad seeing to winds in the bottom two
thousand feet of the atmosphere.

So if your preparing a sacrafice to sway the weather gods, dont forget
to include the bottom of the atomosphere in your prayer too.

-ad

ps. we need to move to orbit.

Local Heros has won the poll. So I have made a reservation for 12
people at 17:45. See you there.

Local Heros
1760 St.Laurent
613-732-9292

Wow, Bob and Albert are really the same person.

That is the biggest compliment and insult all in one sentence!!

Maybe the harem pants are a red herring.

Bob

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]