Looks really nice Eric!



From: tac-sac@yahoogroups.com [mailto:tac-sac@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Eric
Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 10:36 AM
To: tac-sac@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [tac-sac] Re: New scope is done





Ok I posted them, I misread the message, I am dyslexic...Sorry

Cheers,

Eric

--- In tac-sac@yahoogroups.com <mailto:tac-sac%40yahoogroups.com> , "Eric"
<it.epa1@...> wrote:
>
> I have a couple of photos ready but it would appear that I do not have the
rights to create an album nor upload photo's. Who can fix this?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Eric
>
> --- In tac-sac@yahoogroups.com <mailto:tac-sac%40yahoogroups.com> , Brian
Fitzgerald <brainsfitz@> wrote:
> >
> > Eric,
> >
> > Take a few photos and share === please... We've all been waiting...
> >
> > Brian
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ________________________________
> > From: Eric <it.epa1@>
> > To: tac-sac@yahoogroups.com <mailto:tac-sac%40yahoogroups.com>
> > Sent: Mon, October 19, 2009 9:16:52 AM
> > Subject: [tac-sac] New scope is done
> >
> >
> > Ok so I picked up my new scope(in kit form) and worked on it over the
weekend, so of course now that it is done what shows up? &^%$ing clouds!!!
Sorry guys/gals I think this weather may be my fault. I dont know if my
scope counts as the optics I already had but everything else is new... Does
that count for the cloud jinx? LOL Well I hope to get out and observe soon
and give the new scope and sky commander a work out...
> >
> > Cheers...
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>





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

Thanks Ivor, it was fun to build and went together like lego's(very simple) no
adjustments to get stuff to fit etc... I got to use the sky commander for about
an hour last night and it works like a dream!!!  Also the movement on the scope
compared to my old home depot dob is much better, like butter...very smooth and
light.

Cheers,

Eric

--- In tac-sac@yahoogroups.com, "Ivor Barker" <ibarker@...> wrote:
>
> Looks really nice Eric!
>
>
>
> From: tac-sac@yahoogroups.com [mailto:tac-sac@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
> Eric
> Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 10:36 AM
> To: tac-sac@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [tac-sac] Re: New scope is done
>
>
>
>
>
> Ok I posted them, I misread the message, I am dyslexic...Sorry
>
> Cheers,
>
> Eric
>
> --- In tac-sac@yahoogroups.com <mailto:tac-sac%40yahoogroups.com> , "Eric"
> <it.epa1@> wrote:
> >
> > I have a couple of photos ready but it would appear that I do not have the
> rights to create an album nor upload photo's. Who can fix this?
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Eric
> >
> > --- In tac-sac@yahoogroups.com <mailto:tac-sac%40yahoogroups.com> , Brian
> Fitzgerald <brainsfitz@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Eric,
> > >
> > > Take a few photos and share === please... We've all been waiting...
> > >
> > > Brian
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ________________________________
> > > From: Eric <it.epa1@>
> > > To: tac-sac@yahoogroups.com <mailto:tac-sac%40yahoogroups.com>
> > > Sent: Mon, October 19, 2009 9:16:52 AM
> > > Subject: [tac-sac] New scope is done
> > >
> > >
> > > Ok so I picked up my new scope(in kit form) and worked on it over the
> weekend, so of course now that it is done what shows up? &^%$ing clouds!!!
> Sorry guys/gals I think this weather may be my fault. I dont know if my
> scope counts as the optics I already had but everything else is new... Does
> that count for the cloud jinx? LOL Well I hope to get out and observe soon
> and give the new scope and sky commander a work out...
> > >
> > > Cheers...
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

How many times have been asked that question while doing public
outreach? Well, here it is, photographed by LRO:

http://www.cieletespace.fr/files/evenements/Apollo_17_ouv.jpg

Enjoy!
Julien

Here is a list of deep sky targets placed well for 3rdQ to New Moon for
November. Targets range from very easy to quite challenging. The linked
Excel spreadsheet contains Steve Gottlieb's observing notes, embedded as
comments.

http://www.resource-intl.com/Observing.Lists/Deep.Sky.Nov.09.html

Happy Halloween!

Mark


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

Hey All,

I hope you are all doing great. I just purchased a Meade 152ED with the LXD 700
mount, and the scope is terrific--the mount works well, except the RA worm is
not engaging properly. I made an attempt to fix it but made it worse. Does
anyone know how to engage an older basic worm drive to the gear? If so, I' will
pay $50 an hour to anyone who can fix it--and a minimim of $50 for 0 to an hour.
And we can go on from there. I'd love to get this fixed and would rather have
someone with experience do it.

Please respond here or call me at: 916-419-9700.

Thanks sos much,

BTW, anyone on Northern Cal is fine and I will bring it over.

Brian Fitzgerald

Sounds like a sweet scope..

But alas, just like yourself, I'm looking to pickup another GEM.

CS,

TonyF


--- On Tue, 11/10/09, Eric <it.epa1@...> wrote:

From: Eric <it.epa1@...>
Subject: [tac-sac] Scope package for sale
To: tac-sac@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 10:15 AM







 









       (LOCAL)I am putting out this feeler to see if anyone is interested in my
Dob. I have not had it out to a dark site yet but have decided I want to go
another route and get back into imaging.  The optics are fantastic and the scope
move very, very nicely in RA/DEC(SMOOOOOTH! ) I will NOT part it out and price
is firm.  I was thinking of putting this up on astro mart but I do not want to
ship this.  Anyway if interested please send me an email.  I have receipts for
all of this except the optics and have over $2,000.00 in this scope.  I am sure
I am forgetting something here.  I have pictures I can send you, if you are
really interested in purchasing this wonderful scope.  I am asking $1,700.00
firm.  This scope is 1 month old and is PERFECT!!! :)



I am not desperate to sell this as I love this scope but I would like to get
back into imaging getting a GEM mount and OTA to start with.



It includes the following:



* Dennis Steele 10" ultra light dob(3 pole design)



* Antares 2" 10:1 dual speed focuser(very nice)



* 5 eyepiece tray holds 2x2" and 3x1.25" eye pieces, mounted on the front of the
rocker box.



* Travel tubes allow it to be put into travel "mode" to collapse OTA length down
to 23" for going to and from observing site.



* Sky Commander XP-4 this is the new flash version with latest flash.



*mount on rocker box to mount the Sky Commander.



* 4000 step encoders and encoder mounting kit.



* Discovery 10" F/5.6 Primary 1/15th wave according to Discoveries website.



* Discovery Secondary 1.83"



* Discovery Spider.



* Astrosystems DG-1 secondary dew heater.



* Telrad reflex site.



* Kydex light baffle behind secondary mirror.



* Kydex Mirror en-closer with hardwood mirror cover.



Again if interested please send me an email and I will get back to you promptly.
Thanks in advance.



Cheers,



Eric






















__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

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

IHOP or BC depending on weather and local conditions.  There will be at least
three of us.
 

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

Hey Alvin, I will be going but I am hoping/praying for BC...hint hint... 
Maybe???


Eric

--- In tac-sac@yahoogroups.com, Alvin Huey <alvin.huey@...> wrote:
>
> IHOP or BC depending on weather and local conditions.  There will be at least
three of us.
>  
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

We are still deciding...and BC is half a mag brighter than IHOP.  Big
difference...
 


--- On Sat, 11/14/09, Eric <it.epa1@...> wrote:


From: Eric <it.epa1@...>
Subject: [tac-sac] Re: OI: This Saturday
To: tac-sac@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, November 14, 2009, 9:48 AM


 



Hey Alvin, I will be going but I am hoping/praying for BC...hint hint...
Maybe???

Eric

--- In tac-sac@yahoogroups .com, Alvin Huey <alvin.huey@ ...> wrote:
>
> IHOP or BC depending on weather and local conditions.  There will be at least
three of us.
>  
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>








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

Well you know how I feel about both sites, but BC has my vote.  Just let me know
and I will head out at about 3pm or there about's.

Eric

--- In tac-sac@yahoogroups.com, Alvin Huey <alvin.huey@...> wrote:
>
> We are still deciding...and BC is half a mag brighter than IHOP.  Big
difference...
>  
>
>
> --- On Sat, 11/14/09, Eric <it.epa1@...> wrote:
>
>
> From: Eric <it.epa1@...>
> Subject: [tac-sac] Re: OI: This Saturday
> To: tac-sac@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Saturday, November 14, 2009, 9:48 AM
>
>
>  
>
>
>
> Hey Alvin, I will be going but I am hoping/praying for BC...hint hint...
Maybe???
>
> Eric
>
> --- In tac-sac@yahoogroups .com, Alvin Huey <alvin.huey@ ...> wrote:
> >
> > IHOP or BC depending on weather and local conditions.  There will be at
least three of us.
> >  
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

I have decided that I am going to go to BC, I just do not like IHOP and even
less so in the winter, slick roads on a 2 lane highway, at night is just not my
cup of tea.  Sorry Alvin I just do not feel safe either at IHOP or on the drive
home at night.

Eric

--- In tac-sac@yahoogroups.com, Alvin Huey <alvin.huey@...> wrote:
>
> We are still deciding...and BC is half a mag brighter than IHOP.  Big
difference...
>  
>
>
> --- On Sat, 11/14/09, Eric <it.epa1@...> wrote:
>
>
> From: Eric <it.epa1@...>
> Subject: [tac-sac] Re: OI: This Saturday
> To: tac-sac@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Saturday, November 14, 2009, 9:48 AM
>
>
>  
>
>
>
> Hey Alvin, I will be going but I am hoping/praying for BC...hint hint...
Maybe???
>
> Eric
>
> --- In tac-sac@yahoogroups .com, Alvin Huey <alvin.huey@ ...> wrote:
> >
> > IHOP or BC depending on weather and local conditions.  There will be at
least three of us.
> >  
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

With photos at:
http://deepskyobserving.blogspot.com/2009/11/winters-return-to-willow-springs.ht\
ml

Saturday conditions were not very promising, early in the day. Dark
bottomed clouds filled the sky, with only occasional patches of blue
showing through, and a chill was in the air. The forecast was for clear
skies in the evening, and indeed, shortly after arriving at Willow
Springs, blue sky began spreading and the clouds were dissipating as
they moved southward.

The group this trip comprised of Steve Gottlieb, Greg LaFlamme, both
whom preceded me in arriving, followed by Tony Hurtado, Richard
Navarrete and Mark Johnston. Along with my 18" f/4.5 Dob, the others, in
order were, 18", 22", 18", 18" and 18". Our host, Kevin Reitschel,
hauled out Dobzilla, his 33.4" titan. As we all worked on collimating
our scopes, the sun was setting through cloud banks in the west,
spraying the sky with orange and gold rays. By the time it was dark, we
had an almost entirely clear sky, and would enjoy a fine night of deep
sky observing under almost ideal conditions, save for some diminished
transparency, and temps that dropped into the mid 20's. We were all
prepared for cold, and my fingertips were the only part of me to feel
winter's return to Willow Springs.

I observed from about 6:30 p.m. until after 1 a.m., and woke in the
morning to fresh crisp air, and sounds of horses in the field and birds
warming themselves in the branches of nearby trees. The hillsides were
were tinged red with thin cover... and I packed to leave, enjoying the
stillness, sights and sounds, as the others awoke.

Soon, I was on my way, leaving Willow Springs to follow the winding
two-lane J1, back toward a very different world.

This month I changed what I included in my observing list to add some
interest for an observing friend - limiting the list to 60 targets, and
including a wide range varying from "eye candy" targets to my usual more
challenging ones.

Here are the objects I observed from that list, with my unedited notes:

N559 Cas OC 4.4' 9.5 01 29 30 +63 18 00
20mm - rich but many dim stars. Brighter pair in cluster close together
E/W with a nice dim chain arcing to the north. Pretty. Actually fairly
large. Arc of stars trail off E end of cluster, which has a few dozen
brighter stars overlaying numerous dim hazy stars.

N381 Cas OC 6.0' 9.3 01 08 18 +61 35 00
20mm - poor large cluster near two bright stars, brightest star is appox
18' E of cluster. Approximately 20 brighter stars overlaying many dimmer
haze stars. Coarse.

N129 Cas OC 21' 6.5 00 29 54 +60 14 00
20mm - beautiful field - brightest star to S and pretty colored arc of
stars to E leading to outlying bright star. Cluster comprised of about
half dozen brighter stars overlying a V shaped wedge of dimmer stars
opening from the south and expanding to the N. Entire cluster appears to
have haze involved, which may be nebulosity.

N436 Cas OC 5.0' 8.8 01 15 30 +58 49 00
20mm - pretty and condensed. Brightest members form chains to W and N
from center. Dimmer members of cluster extend widely N and S. Nice arced
chain of stars 23' W.

N457 Cas OC 13.0' 6.4 01 19 06 +58 20 00
20mm - large rich cluster with 2 bright stars dominating SE edge. Chain
of stars crosses cluster from SE to NW. Custer appears coarse initially,
but is rich in dim stars. Extends 10' SE/NW and 24' SW/NE.

Abell 2 Cas PN 33"x29" 14.5 00 45 36 +57 57 24 PK 122-4.1 = PN G122.1-04.9
12mm NPB filter - small but obvious, nearly direct vision. Slightly
elongated NE/SW, possible slightly annularity. 5mm hints at annularity,
and stars embedded in N, W and S edges.

Sh 2-184 Cas BN 28.0'x21.0' 00 52 50 +56 36 37 N0281
20mm - no filter, nebula is visible easily, extending E and W of an easy
double star... more obvious to the E and SE. Very large area of
nebulosity. With Ulutrablock, nebulosity is very distinct and wide,
extending most noticeably SE/NW, with extension also S to W along the
southern edge. Other dim nebulosity throughout the region. Very rich nebula.

N185 Cas GX 11.9'x10.1' 10.1B 00 39 00 +48 20 00
12mm - large mostly elliptical, slight extension mostly E/W (slightly
SW), dim extensions and gradually brightening, evenly, to a fairly
bright non-stellar core. Approx 11'x3.4'
N278 Cas GX 2.2'x2.2' 11.5B 00 52 06 +47 33 00
7mm - small and bright. Very bright small core with a dim stellar
center. Possible arms curled tightly around core form a dimmer halo.

M32 And GX 8.8'x6.5' 9.0B 00 42 41 +41 51 00
7mm - large and bright, slightly extended E/W with a stellar core and
tight torus also elongated E/W around the nucleus.

M110 And GX 21.9'x10.9' 8.9B 00 40 24 +41 41 00
12mm - spectacular, elongated NNW/SSE, lens shaped core mostly N/S, Fill
half field or about 14'. Very underrated.
NGC206 And C+N 4.2x1.5 00 40 31 +40 44 22
12mm - could easily be mistaken for a dim galaxy overlaying the edge of
M31. Elongated WSW/ENE and separated from M31 by a dark lane to the S.
Very nice target.

N404 And GX 3.4'x3.4' 11.2B 01 09 24 +35 43 00
7mm - use high power get orange/gold Beta Andromodae out of field. Small
tight core with dim stellar nucleus. Core diminishes rapidly in
brightness to an even brightness out to edge. May have tight spirals.

HGC10 And Hickson 3.6'x1.3' 12.3V 01 26 21 +34 42 14 NGC 0536
7mm - all 4 visible. Three are easily there - NGC 536, NGC 529 and NGC
531. Eventually NGC 542 comes in and can be held. All appear elongated.

N407/10/14 Psc GX Trio 2.3'x0.6' 14.3P 01 11 00 +33 12 00
12mm - NCG 407 - small slash elongated N/S, NGC 410 - elliptical
elongated SW/NE with bright core and even brightness in halo., largest
and brightest of trio. Stellar core. NGC 414 - small round and very
little halo around a stellar nucleus.

N392/94/97 Psc GX Trio 1.2'x1.0' 13.7B 01 08 24 +33 06 00
7mm - NGC 394 slight elongate mostly N/S with stellar core, NGC 392 -
brightest of trio mostly round with tight core and bright stellar
nucleus, NGC 397 - small and slightly elongated N/S with even brightness
and no nucleus - dimmest of the trio.

N447/49/51 Psc GX Trio 2.8'x2.1' 14.0V 01 16 12 +33 06 00
7mm - NGC 447, NGC 449, NGC 451 - all three small, no detail, and dim.
NGC 449 and NGC 451 are a challenge due to proximity of bright star
nearby. NGC 447 is marked in error in The Sky (planetarium software) as
having a very bright star nearby.

Arp331 Psc GX 1.4'x0.9' 12.8V 01 07 24 +32 24 00 NGC 0383
12mm - NGC 383 anchors a beautiful long string of 9 NGC galaxies in a
chain. Arp 331 included (NGC 379).

M33 Tri GX 65.6'x38.0' 6.3B 01 33 54 +30 39 00
20mm - huge and bright, showing lots of detail. Bright core with a dim
fuzzy nucleus, star overlaying core - core elongated mostly WSW/ENE.
Core shows sweep of arms starting - nice! 2 giant arms sweep S and W, N
and E. Large HII to the NE glaring. 2 other HII to the w of the core,
another to the SW.

NGC315 Psc GX 3.2'x2.2' 12.2B 00 57 48 +30 21 09
12mm - 315 is very bright, elongated WSW/ESE with an elongated
elliptical core and stellar nucleus, with dim extensions. NGC 311 is
somewhat ESE/WNW, small and no definition. NGC 318 is dim, small, off
star to its NW, Very small, nearly stellar, tiny dim stellar nucleus.

N311/15/18 Psc GX Trio 1.8'x0.8' 14.0B 00 57 48 +30 18 00
See above.

N252/58/60 And GX Trio 1.5'x1.0' 13.4P 00 48 00 +27 36 00
12mm - NGC 252 is pretty round with a dim stellar nucleus in a small
round core surrounded by a dim halo. Brightest in group of 3. NGC 260 is
quite dim, an indistinct haze slightly elongated N/S and about same size
as NGC 252. NGC 258 required 7mm to confirm no find. Just beyond limit
for night.

Arp282 And GX 2.6'x0.8' 13.2 00 36 52 +23 59 00 NGC 0169
7mm - interesting field due to two bright stars each with a pair of
bright and dim galaxies off them. NGC 169 is obvious as a slash e/w with
a tiny puff of IC1559 off its S edge. NGC 160 is larger, fatter, dimmer
and SW/NE, with very occasional hint of UGC 354 to it NW. Fun field due
to symmetry.

HGC8 And Hickson 0.5'x0.3' 15.2B 00 49 34 +23 34 42 MCG +04-03-008
7mm - amazingly, all 4 components came in! Several of us observed this
group in our own telescopes.

NGC514 Psc GX 4.2'x2.7' 12.2B 01 24 03 +12 55 03
12mm - amorphous, some central condensation, no detail. Large, dim.



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

After a short (55 minutes) and pleasant drive, I arrived at Dinosaur
Point early (around 4pm) because of the new access rules, and to have
plenty of time to setup my equipment. Albert Highe, George Feliz and
Peter Natscher arrived shortly after and setup right next to me. Dave
Cooper, Jamie Dillon, Bob Jardine and Al Howard were a little further
down the parking lot. What a great team of observers! (ok, Al doesn't
really count as an observer, but he's cool nonetheless :-)

The wind was non-existant. The temperature dropped from the low 60s to
the mid to low 40s, which is not a huge difference. This always helps
with the seeing, especially in large newtonians. The transparency was
about average until about 9pm, when it got slightly better. At 9:30pm,
I did a NELM test in triangulum and obtained 6.3, which is pretty good
for the site.

Since I don't have a whole lot of Herschel 400 targets left around
this time of the year, I decided to observe mostly Herschel II
objects, and finished the night with a couple of galaxy groups from
Alvin Huey's "Selected small galaxy groups" observing guide. Among the
highlights of the night, we observed NGC 891 and M 33 through Peter's
24" Starmaster telescope. The views were absolutely breathtaking! We
also looked at the hydrogen filaments inside M 1, which we also
detected through George's 13" scope, and to a lesser extent in my own
12" scope.

Overall, I was very pleased with the evening, and it reminded me of
why I like Dinosaur Point so much: short easy drive, fairly good
skies, setup on a paved parking lot, in bed by 2am after 6+ hours of
observing! Below is my log for the night. Cheers!

Location: Dinosaur Point [Elevation 648 ft]
Telescope: Meade Lightbridge 12" F/5
Eyepieces used:
- Televue Panoptic 27mm (56x – 1.2° TFOV)
- Televue Nagler 16mm type 5 (95x – 52' TFOV)
- Televue Nagler 9mm type 6 (169x – 29' TFOV)
- Televue Nagler 7mm type 6 (217x – 22' TFOV)
- Televue Nagler 5mm type 6 (305x – 16' TFOV)
(All times are PST)

NGC 7184 GX Aqr 22h03m13.7s -20°45'54" 11.7 mag 06:20pm
Moderately faint slightly elongated core, stellar nucleus, very faint
halo elongated 3x1 ENE-WSW. Very faint superimposed star about 1' ENE
of nucleus. Fairly bright star at the ENE end of the halo.

NGC 7218 GX Aqr 22h10m45.0s -16°36'39" 12.4 mag 06:40pm
2'x1' elongated NNE-SSW. Gradually brighter toward a moderately faint
core. Moderately bright superimposed stars 1' E and 1' NNE. Best seen
at 217x.

NGC 7171 GX Aqr 22h01m35.0s -13°13'17" 13.1 mag 06:50pm
Moderately large, very low surface brightness, only very slightly
brighter in the core. Elongated 3:2 NW-SE. Extremely faint
superimposed star 1' E.

NGC 7377 GX Aqr 22h48m20.9s -22°15'31" 12.1 mag 07:10pm
Small (about 1' in diameter), round and fairly bright. Stellar
nucleus. A small grouping of 5 fairly bright stars is located just SW
of this galaxy.

NGC 7392 GX Aqr 22h52m21.9s -20°33'18" 12.6 mag 07:20pm
2'x1' elongated WNW-ESE. Stellar nucleus embedded inside a fairly
bright small core.

NGC 7600 GX Aqr 23h19m26.0s -07°31'25" 12.9 mag 07:35pm
1.5'x1' elongated ENE-WSW. Moderately faint stellar nucleus.

NGC 7156 GX Peg 21h55m04.6s +02°59'32" 13.3 mag 08:00pm
Small (about 1' in diameter), round, dim, fairly uniform, only
slightly brighter core.

NGC 7177 GX Peg 22h01m10.3s +17°47'23" 11.9 mag 08:10pm
Round bright core, about 1' in diameter, surrounded by a faint halo
2.5'x1.5' elongated E-W. Stellar nucleus. Best seen at 217x.

NGC 7332 GX Peg 22h37m54.1s +23°51'14" 12.0 mag 08:25pm
Very bright stellar nucleus embedded inside a bright compact core.
Moderately faint halo roughly 2.5'x45" elongated NNW-SSE. Forms a
beautiful pair with NGC 7339 at 217x.

NGC 7742 GX Peg 23h44m47.4s +10°49'32" 12.3 mag 08:50pm
Small (about 1' in diameter), round, fairly bright, gradually brighter
to a stellar nucleus. Mag 12.7 star just 1.5' ESE.

NGC 23 GX Peg 00h10m25.7s +25°59'00" 12.8 mag 09:05pm
Small (< 1') round faint halo, fairly bright almost stellar core. A
fairly bright star is at the SSW end. Forms a nice pair with dimmer
NGC 26.

NGC 604 BN Tri 01h35m11.7s +30°50'17"  mag 09:25pm
This nebula physically belongs to M33. Seen easily in a 12" scope as a
bright round patch about 1' in size. In Peter Natscher's 24" scope,
its shape appears slightly irregular.

Pinwheel Galaxy GX Tri 01h34m26.5s +30°42'53" 6.4 mag 09:25pm
Barely detected naked eye. Easily seen in 9x50 finder scope, including
the broad S-shaped spiral structure. Elongated 3:2 NNE-SSW. Large
bright round core. Appears amazing in a 12" scope, with lots of fine
details easily visible in the spiral arms. Absolutely dazzling though
Peter Natscher's 24" scope! Several NGC objects physically belong to
M33: NGC 604, NGC 595, NGC 592 and NGC 588. All were seen very easily
in a 12" scope.

NGC 7640 GX And 23h22m36.4s +40°54'19" 11.6 mag 09:40pm
6'x1.5' elongated NNW-SSE. Moderately faint halo with a slightly
brighter core. Slight impression of mottling. Fairly bright
superimposed star just SE of the core. 2 superimposed stars in the
halo N of the core.

NGC 206 BN And 00h41m04.3s +40°47'34"  mag 09:45pm
Star cloud that physically belongs to M31. Located about 40' SW of
M31's core. Roughly 5'x2' elongated N-S. Fairly faint.

NGC 214 GX And 00h42m01.3s +25°33'29" 12.9 mag 10:00pm
Fairly small (1.5'x1'), elongated ENE-WSW, moderately faint, pretty
uniform, slightly brighter core. Barely detected stellar nucleus.

M 77 GX Cet 02h43m13.3s +00°01'54" 9.7 mag 10:20pm
Roughly circular, moderately faint halo, about 2' in diameter, very
slightly elongated N-S. Bright slightly S-shaped core elongated 3:2
NE-SW containing a very bright stellar nucleus. Some mottling visible
(hints of broader spiral arms emanating from the core)

NGC 672 GX Tri 01h48m30.0s +27°29'11" 11.4 mag 10:50pm
5'x2' elongated ENE-WSW, pretty uniform, moderately bright. Forms a
nice pair with much dimmer galaxy IC 1727 located about 8' SW.

NGC 925 GX Tri 02h27m54.9s +33°37'36" 10.6 mag 11:10pm
4'x2' elongated WNW-ESE. Moderately faint, pretty uniform, slightly
brighter core. Many fairly bright field stars enhance the view.

NGC 890 GX Tri 02h22m38.8s +33°18'53" 12.8 mag 11:15pm
Small (about 1.5'x45") elongated NE-SW. Fairly bright, gradually
brighter to an almost stellar nucleus.

NGC 68 group
Pretty compact. A few field stars distract the observer, making the 3
galaxies in the center harder to spot.
NGC 68
NGC 69 (very faint)
NGC 70
NGC 71
NGC 72
NGC 72A (very faint)
NGC 74 (very faint)

NGC 383 group
Fairly bright members, loose group.
NGC 373 (faint)
NGC 375 (faint)
NGC 379
NGC 380
NGC 382
NGC 383
NGC 384
NGC 385
NGC 386 (faint)
NGC 387 (very faint)
NGC 388

Julien, your descriptions are well written, full of information and
very attentive to details.  Good job!

--Steve


On Nov 15, 2009, at 7:44 PM, Julien Lecomte wrote:

> Location: Dinosaur Point [Elevation 648 ft]
> Telescope: Meade Lightbridge 12" F/5
> Eyepieces used:
> - Televue Panoptic 27mm (56x – 1.2° TFOV)
> - Televue Nagler 16mm type 5 (95x – 52' TFOV)
> - Televue Nagler 9mm type 6 (169x – 29' TFOV)
> - Televue Nagler 7mm type 6 (217x – 22' TFOV)
> - Televue Nagler 5mm type 6 (305x – 16' TFOV)
> (All times are PST)
>
> NGC 7184 GX Aqr 22h03m13.7s -20°45'54" 11.7 mag 06:20pm
> Moderately faint slightly elongated core, stellar nucleus, very faint
> halo elongated 3x1 ENE-WSW. Very faint superimposed star about 1' ENE
> of nucleus. Fairly bright star at the ENE end of the halo.
>
> NGC 7218 GX Aqr 22h10m45.0s -16°36'39" 12.4 mag 06:40pm
> 2'x1' elongated NNE-SSW. Gradually brighter toward a moderately faint
> core. Moderately bright superimposed stars 1' E and 1' NNE. Best seen
> at 217x.
>
> NGC 7171 GX Aqr 22h01m35.0s -13°13'17" 13.1 mag 06:50pm
> Moderately large, very low surface brightness, only very slightly
> brighter in the core. Elongated 3:2 NW-SE. Extremely faint
> superimposed star 1' E.
>
> NGC 7377 GX Aqr 22h48m20.9s -22°15'31" 12.1 mag 07:10pm
> Small (about 1' in diameter), round and fairly bright. Stellar
> nucleus. A small grouping of 5 fairly bright stars is located just SW
> of this galaxy.
>
> NGC 7392 GX Aqr 22h52m21.9s -20°33'18" 12.6 mag 07:20pm
> 2'x1' elongated WNW-ESE. Stellar nucleus embedded inside a fairly
> bright small core.
>
> NGC 7600 GX Aqr 23h19m26.0s -07°31'25" 12.9 mag 07:35pm
> 1.5'x1' elongated ENE-WSW. Moderately faint stellar nucleus.
>
> NGC 7156 GX Peg 21h55m04.6s +02°59'32" 13.3 mag 08:00pm
> Small (about 1' in diameter), round, dim, fairly uniform, only
> slightly brighter core.
>
> NGC 7177 GX Peg 22h01m10.3s +17°47'23" 11.9 mag 08:10pm
> Round bright core, about 1' in diameter, surrounded by a faint halo
> 2.5'x1.5' elongated E-W. Stellar nucleus. Best seen at 217x.
>
> NGC 7332 GX Peg 22h37m54.1s +23°51'14" 12.0 mag 08:25pm
> Very bright stellar nucleus embedded inside a bright compact core.
> Moderately faint halo roughly 2.5'x45" elongated NNW-SSE. Forms a
> beautiful pair with NGC 7339 at 217x.
>
> NGC 7742 GX Peg 23h44m47.4s +10°49'32" 12.3 mag 08:50pm
> Small (about 1' in diameter), round, fairly bright, gradually brighter
> to a stellar nucleus. Mag 12.7 star just 1.5' ESE.
>
> NGC 23 GX Peg 00h10m25.7s +25°59'00" 12.8 mag 09:05pm
> Small (< 1') round faint halo, fairly bright almost stellar core. A
> fairly bright star is at the SSW end. Forms a nice pair with dimmer
> NGC 26.
>
> NGC 604 BN Tri 01h35m11.7s +30°50'17"  mag 09:25pm
> This nebula physically belongs to M33. Seen easily in a 12" scope as a
> bright round patch about 1' in size. In Peter Natscher's 24" scope,
> its shape appears slightly irregular.
>
> Pinwheel Galaxy GX Tri 01h34m26.5s +30°42'53" 6.4 mag 09:25pm
> Barely detected naked eye. Easily seen in 9x50 finder scope, including
> the broad S-shaped spiral structure. Elongated 3:2 NNE-SSW. Large
> bright round core. Appears amazing in a 12" scope, with lots of fine
> details easily visible in the spiral arms. Absolutely dazzling though
> Peter Natscher's 24" scope! Several NGC objects physically belong to
> M33: NGC 604, NGC 595, NGC 592 and NGC 588. All were seen very easily
> in a 12" scope.
>
> NGC 7640 GX And 23h22m36.4s +40°54'19" 11.6 mag 09:40pm
> 6'x1.5' elongated NNW-SSE. Moderately faint halo with a slightly
> brighter core. Slight impression of mottling. Fairly bright
> superimposed star just SE of the core. 2 superimposed stars in the
> halo N of the core.
>
> NGC 206 BN And 00h41m04.3s +40°47'34"  mag 09:45pm
> Star cloud that physically belongs to M31. Located about 40' SW of
> M31's core. Roughly 5'x2' elongated N-S. Fairly faint.
>
> NGC 214 GX And 00h42m01.3s +25°33'29" 12.9 mag 10:00pm
> Fairly small (1.5'x1'), elongated ENE-WSW, moderately faint, pretty
> uniform, slightly brighter core. Barely detected stellar nucleus.
>
> M 77 GX Cet 02h43m13.3s +00°01'54" 9.7 mag 10:20pm
> Roughly circular, moderately faint halo, about 2' in diameter, very
> slightly elongated N-S. Bright slightly S-shaped core elongated 3:2
> NE-SW containing a very bright stellar nucleus. Some mottling visible
> (hints of broader spiral arms emanating from the core)
>
> NGC 672 GX Tri 01h48m30.0s +27°29'11" 11.4 mag 10:50pm
> 5'x2' elongated ENE-WSW, pretty uniform, moderately bright. Forms a
> nice pair with much dimmer galaxy IC 1727 located about 8' SW.
>
> NGC 925 GX Tri 02h27m54.9s +33°37'36" 10.6 mag 11:10pm
> 4'x2' elongated WNW-ESE. Moderately faint, pretty uniform, slightly
> brighter core. Many fairly bright field stars enhance the view.
>
> NGC 890 GX Tri 02h22m38.8s +33°18'53" 12.8 mag 11:15pm
> Small (about 1.5'x45") elongated NE-SW. Fairly bright, gradually
> brighter to an almost stellar nucleus.
>
> NGC 68 group
> Pretty compact. A few field stars distract the observer, making the 3
> galaxies in the center harder to spot.
> NGC 68
> NGC 69 (very faint)
> NGC 70
> NGC 71
> NGC 72
> NGC 72A (very faint)
> NGC 74 (very faint)
>
> NGC 383 group
> Fairly bright members, loose group.
> NGC 373 (faint)
> NGC 375 (faint)
> NGC 379
> NGC 380
> NGC 382
> NGC 383
> NGC 384
> NGC 385
> NGC 386 (faint)
> NGC 387 (very faint)
> NGC 388
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> --
> Observing Intents: http://observers.org/OI-calendar/
> Observing Reports: http://observers.org/reports/
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

After much consideration, I decided to head to the DARC observatory on
Saturday night. It was a little bit of a gamble since the clear sky
clock had forecast below average to average transparency, which
usually means that wispy clouds would pass overhead, possibly ruining
my chances of detecting the most subtle details on the faint targets I
was planning to observe. But since it was the last opportunity to go
out and observe during this new moon, I took the chance and hoped for
the best.

I arrived after dark, around 6pm, and quickly setup my equipment next
to Peter Nastcher and his 24" Starmaster telescope (always a prime
spot :-) Shortly after, a "show and tell" presentation took place
inside the observatory building. Dr. Bob Caton talked about some of
the photographical work he's done recently with his 4" wide field
refractor and 20" Ritchey-Chretien telescope. Daniel Stefanescu talked
about M1, and I briefly showed off a few photographs of the early
construction of my new 16" F/4 telescope (see
http://www.julienlecomte.net/blog/2009/11/386/)

Around 8:50pm, the sky got dark enough to start observing. As
expected, thin clouds were passing overhead. Thankfully, they remained
to the north, and never really interfered with my plans to observe
Herschel II objects in Cetus. By 10pm, the sky was completely clear,
and the transparency was actually very decent. The NELM was 6.6 in
Aries. After midnight, the air became slightly drier and the
transparency slightly better, bumping the NELM to 6.7. The wind was
non-existant. The temperature was hovering between the mid and the low
30s. The humidity was high, but the optics remained mostly dew free
for the entire night.

Among the highlights of the night, I saw the horse head nebula
(Barnard 33) for the first time, using my 12" telescope and a UHC
filter. I was actually surprised by how easy it was to detect. Using a
Panoptic 27 without a filter, I was even able to see it along with
Alnitak (Zeta Orionis) and the Flame Nebula (NGC 2024) in the same
field of view. What an incredible sight! We also looked at the horse
head nebula through Peter's 24" scope, and the horse head shape was
unmistakable.

The deep red/pink color in M42 was very obvious around the bright
blue-green core region and in the two far flung extensions. The E and
F stars in the trapezium were easily detected. Finally, Sirius'
companion, affectionately called "the pup", was seen by several
observers.

I would like to thank Dr. Lee Hoglan and Dr. Bob Caton for their
continued hospitality. It was a good night, and I'm already looking
forward to the next opportunity to observe there. Below is my log for
the night. Cheers!

Location: D.A.R.C. Observatory [Elevation 1400ft]
Telescope: Meade Lightbridge 12" F/5
Eyepieces used:
- Televue Panoptic 27mm (56x – 1.2° TFOV)
- Televue Nagler 16mm type 5 (95x – 52' TFOV)
- Televue Nagler 9mm type 6 (169x – 29' TFOV)
- Televue Nagler 7mm type 6 (217x – 22' TFOV)
- Televue Nagler 5mm type 6 (305x – 16' TFOV)
(All times are PST)

NGC 151 GX Cet 00h34m34.6s -09°38'56" 12.3 mag 09:05pm
2.5'x1' elongated ENE-WSW. Very faint halo. Moderately faint core,
round, approximately 30" in diameter. Stellar nucleus. Moderately
bright star just outside the halo at the ENE end.

NGC 217 GX Cet 00h42m05.7s -09°57'55" 13.5 mag 09:20pm
Moderately faint core about 1'x30" elongated WNW-ESE. Very faint
stellar nucleus. Extremely faint halo roughly 2' in length elongated
WNW-ESE.

NGC 337 GX Cet 01h00m21.9s -07°31'21" 12.0 mag 09:50pm
2'x1.2' elongated NW-SE. Moderately faint, very slightly brighter in
the center. Subtle hints of mottling detected (?)

NGC 357 GX Cet 01h03m53.7s -06°17'02" 13.2 mag 10:05pm
Round, 20" in diameter. Hints of a stellar nucleus (?) Only the core
was positevely detected. The halo must be extremely faint! Moderately
faint star about 40" E.

NGC 636 GX Cet 01h39m38.2s -07°27'37" 12.4 mag 10:15pm
Fairly bright core, round, 20" in diameter, fairly bright stellar
nucleus, very faint halo, gradually dimmer toward the outside. Did not
note the extent and position angle of the halo.

NGC 428 GX Cet 01h13m28.0s +01°02'13" 11.9 mag 10:45pm
3'x2' elongated NW-SE, moderately faint. Very slightly brighter core,
round, 45" in diameter. Two bright stars (mag 8.6 and 8.7) about 8' W
and 8' NNE. Interestingly enough, I did not note the presence of two
prominent albeit dimmer stars (mag 11.9 and 12.5) located just outside
the halo to the S and the NW.

NGC 1045 GX Cet 02h41m00.0s -11°14'01" 13.5 mag 10:55pm
Fairly faint, round, 30" in diameter. Moderately faint stellar nucleus.

NGC 991 GX Cet 02h36m04.2s -07°06'32" 12.9 mag 11:30pm
Very faint uniform glow about 1.5' in diameter, very slightly brighter
core. Moderately bright star (mag 13.4) about 1.5' S.

NGC 1035 GX Cet 02h40m00.6s -08°05'23" 12.9 mag 11:45pm
2'x30" elongated NNW-SSE, moderately faint, fairly uniform. Moderately
faint star at the SSE tip.

NGC 1087 GX Cet 02h46m57.7s -00°27'17" 11.5 mag 12:05am
2'x1' elongated N-S. Moderately bright, pretty uniform, very slightly
brighter core.

NGC 1090 GX Cet 02h47m06.5s -00°12'11" 12.6 mag 12:10am
2'x1' elongated E-W, fairly faint, pretty uniform. Slightly brighter
core about 20" in diameter. Pretty faint star (mag 15.2) just 45" S.

NGC 1032 GX Cet 02h39m56.4s +01°08'21" 12.6 mag 12:30am
2'x45" elongated ENE-WSW. Moderately faint core, about 30" in
diameter, slightly elongated ENE-WSW. Three moderately bright stars
(mag 13.2, 13.2 and 13.5) to the E, NE and N, about 1.5' from the
core.

NGC 1070 GX Cet 02h43m55.6s +05°00'47" 12.6 mag 12:40am
Moderately faint core, about 30" in diameter, very slightly elongated
N-S. Very faint halo, about 1.5' in diameter.

NGC 1073 GX Cet 02h44m13.0s +01°25'13" 11.6 mag 01:05am
Round, uniform, faint glow, about 4' in diameter. Extremely slightly
brighter core. A DSS image shows that this galaxy is a barred spiral.
I did not see any visual evidence of that.

NGC 1514 (Crystal Ball Nebula) PN Tau 04h09m57.0s +30°48'15" 10.8 mag 01:30am
Moderately faint, roundish nebulosity, about 2' in diameter, very
slightly elongated NNW-SSE, surrounding a bright star (mag 9.4).
Appears uniform at first. A UHC filter reveals irregularities in
brightness. The nebulosity appears slightly dimmer around the central
star, although this may be a visual artifact due to the presence of
the bright central star (a DSS image shows that it is indeed a real
feature). Hints of mottling. Brighter knots to the SSE and NNW.

NGC 1762 GX Ori 05h04m10.0s +01°35'21" 13.4 mag 01:40am
Very faint glow, less than 1' in diameter, possibly slightly elongated
N-S. Moderately faint superimposed star just 15" E.

NGC 1587 GX Tau 04h31m12.8s +00°41'09" 12.7 mag 01:50am
Round, about 45" in diameter, moderately faint, gradually brighter
toward the center. Forms a nice tight pair with NGC 1588, located just
1' E.

Just FYI for SkyTools users out there, SkyTools 3 only knows about NGC
171, and does not know anything about NGC 175. For Uranometria, it's
the other way around. They are actually the same object (more info on
the NGC/IC project web site). This caught me by surprise last weekend!

Also, I already reported a few bad position angles for galaxies I
observed. Hopefully, the upcoming SkyTools 3 patch will contain these
fixes.

Cheers!
Julien

There are quite a few NGC and IC galaxies with at least two
designations.  My favorite is a pair of IC galaxies, IC 5003 and IC
5007.  Or is it IC 5029 and IC 5030?  Or perhaps IC 5039 and IC
5041.  No, maybe it's IC 5046 and IC 5047.  This pair of galaxies in
Microscopium was discovered and rediscovered by Lewis Swift at least
4 times, so both galaxies have 4 IC designations!   If this seems
strange, he kept "discovering" this pair of galaxies in the same
summer of 1897.  I think we have to give him some slack, though, as
he was 77 years old at the time and still discovering galaxies!  We
should all be so lucky.

Steve





IC 5003 = IC 5029 = IC 5039 = IC 5046 and IC 5007 = IC 5030 = IC 5041
= IC 5047
On Nov 23, 2009, at 5:36 PM, Julien Lecomte wrote:

> Just FYI for SkyTools users out there, SkyTools 3 only knows about NGC
> 171, and does not know anything about NGC 175. For Uranometria, it's
> the other way around. They are actually the same object (more info on
> the NGC/IC project web site). This caught me by surprise last weekend!
>
> Also, I already reported a few bad position angles for galaxies I
> observed. Hopefully, the upcoming SkyTools 3 patch will contain these
> fixes.
>
> Cheers!
> Julien
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> --
> Observing Intents: http://observers.org/OI-calendar/
> Observing Reports: http://observers.org/reports/
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

Hi All,

Does anyone on TAC-SAC have a supplier for Kydex locally?

Thanks,
Jane

Hi Jane, I would be interested in knowing that as well, if you find out could
you please post the source here in case someone responds back to your message
privately. New project?


Cheers,

Eric

--- In tac-sac@yahoogroups.com, Jane Smith <jes4565@...> wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> Does anyone on TAC-SAC have a supplier for Kydex locally?
>
> Thanks,
> Jane
>

On Tue, Nov 24, 2009 at 10:07 AM, Eric <it.epa1@...> wrote:
> Hi Jane, I would be interested in knowing that as well, if you find out could
you please post the source here in case someone responds back to your message
privately. New project?

Old project, new scope.  Randy thinks I've been too slow completing
it.  I keep reminding him that "quality" takes time.

I'll let you know if I hear anything on the Kydex.

Jane

On Tue, Nov 24, 2009 at 10:28 AM, Jane Smith <jes4565@...> wrote:
> Old project, new scope.  Randy thinks I've been too slow completing
> it.  I keep reminding him that "quality" takes time.

LOL!!  She has been "working" on (or at least "talking" about) this
supposed telescope since 2006, and she's only just now thinking about
the upper cage!

This is significantly longer than the wait for a high quality AP refractor.

Still, it is nice to hear from her about her 16" scope without having
to nag or prod her.  ;-)

LOL! Nice I can not wait to see the scope when it is done.  I called tap plastic
for you and they carry an ABS product that fits the description of Kydex and the
thickness he has that is around 1/8" like I have on my dob is .125?  I don't
know what the .125 is I am assuming metric, but you may want to go down there
and have a look if you have not already. the number is 916-481-7584.  I have to
there on Friday myself to get a new sheet of red for my laptop display.


Cheers,

Eric


--- In tac-sac@yahoogroups.com, Randy Muller <randygmuller@...> wrote:
>
> On Tue, Nov 24, 2009 at 10:28 AM, Jane Smith <jes4565@...> wrote:
> > Old project, new scope.  Randy thinks I've been too slow completing
> > it.  I keep reminding him that "quality" takes time.
>
> LOL!!  She has been "working" on (or at least "talking" about) this
> supposed telescope since 2006, and she's only just now thinking about
> the upper cage!
>
> This is significantly longer than the wait for a high quality AP refractor.
>
> Still, it is nice to hear from her about her 16" scope without having
> to nag or prod her.  ;-)
>

.125 = 1/8

So, .125" = 1/8".

.125 and 1/8 are pure numbers.

" is inches = English system (not metric)

On Tue, Nov 24, 2009 at 12:01 PM, Eric <it.epa1@...> wrote:
> LOL! Nice I can not wait to see the scope when it is done.  I called tap
plastic for you and they carry an ABS product that fits the description of Kydex
and the thickness he has that is around 1/8" like I have on my dob is .125?  I
don't know what the .125 is I am assuming metric, but you may want to go down
there and have a look if you have not already. the number is 916-481-7584.  I
have to there on Friday myself to get a new sheet of red for my laptop display.
>
>
> Cheers,
>
> Eric
>
>
> --- In tac-sac@yahoogroups.com, Randy Muller <randygmuller@...> wrote:
>>
>> On Tue, Nov 24, 2009 at 10:28 AM, Jane Smith <jes4565@...> wrote:
>> > Old project, new scope.  Randy thinks I've been too slow completing
>> > it.  I keep reminding him that "quality" takes time.
>>
>> LOL!!  She has been "working" on (or at least "talking" about) this
>> supposed telescope since 2006, and she's only just now thinking about
>> the upper cage!
>>
>> This is significantly longer than the wait for a high quality AP refractor.
>>
>> Still, it is nice to hear from her about her 16" scope without having
>> to nag or prod her.  ;-)
>>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> --
> Observing Intents: http://observers.org/OI-calendar/
> Observing Reports: http://observers.org/reports/
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

On Tue, Nov 24, 2009 at 10:56 AM, Randy Muller <randygmuller@...> wrote:
> On Tue, Nov 24, 2009 at 10:28 AM, Jane Smith <jes4565@...> wrote:
>> Old project, new scope.  Randy thinks I've been too slow completing
>> it.  I keep reminding him that "quality" takes time.
>
> LOL!!  She has been "working" on (or at least "talking" about) this
> supposed telescope since 2006, and she's only just now thinking about
> the upper cage!

Thinking about the upper cage shows that I'm making progress.  I mean,
I could still be on the mirror cell, right!


> This is significantly longer than the wait for a high quality AP refractor.

No Way!!!   People wait for years and years and years to get an AP
refractor.  However, why anyone would pay that much money for such a
small aperture is a mystery.


> Still, it is nice to hear from her about her 16" scope without having
> to nag or prod her.  ;-)

Every now and then I make a point of mentioning my new 16" on
TAC-SAC....just to give Randy a chance to whine about what a slacker I
am.  It *makes* his day!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Jane

On Tue, Nov 24, 2009 at 12:01 PM, Eric <it.epa1@...> wrote:
> LOL! Nice I can not wait to see the scope when it is done.  I called tap
plastic for you and they carry an ABS product that fits the description of Kydex
and the thickness he has that is around 1/8" like I have on my dob is .125?  I
don't know what the .125 is I am assuming metric, but you may want to go down
there and have a look if you have not already. the number is 916-481-7584.  I
have to there on Friday myself to get a new sheet of red for my laptop display.

1/8" seems rather thick to be flexible.  I'll give them a call.

Thanks for checking.

1/8" is what I have on my dob and it is very flexible...


Cheers,

Eric

PS Randy thanks for pointing out my ignorance...;)

On Tue, Nov 24, 2009 at 1:14 PM, Jane Smith <jes4565@...> wrote:

>
>
> On Tue, Nov 24, 2009 at 12:01 PM, Eric
<it.epa1@...<it.epa1%40gmail.com>>
> wrote:
> > LOL! Nice I can not wait to see the scope when it is done.  I called tap
> plastic for you and they carry an ABS product that fits the description of
> Kydex and the thickness he has that is around 1/8" like I have on my dob is
> .125?  I don't know what the .125 is I am assuming metric, but you may want
> to go down there and have a look if you have not already. the number is
> 916-481-7584.  I have to there on Friday myself to get a new sheet of red
> for my laptop display.
>
> 1/8" seems rather thick to be flexible. I'll give them a call.
>
> Thanks for checking.
>
>



--
Cheers,

Eric Ayres


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

well someday I will donate this 10" dob and start working on a 16" but...alas..
the operative word is someday...

Dax

--- In tac-sac@yahoogroups.com, Jane Smith <jes4565@...> wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> Does anyone on TAC-SAC have a supplier for Kydex locally?
>
> Thanks,
> Jane
>

On Tue, Nov 24, 2009 at 1:07 PM, Randy Muller <randygmuller@...> wrote:
> .125 = 1/8
>
> So, .125" = 1/8".
> .125 and 1/8 are pure numbers.

Pure numbers...... as in chased or unsullied... right?   So, are there
"tainted" numbers or "polluted" numbers or numbers which are
"unclean"???

Mathematics is fascinating!

Kydex source in Sac:

www.professionalplastics.com/contact

Mark Wagner

  From my iPhone



On Nov 24, 2009, at 2:08 PM, Jane Smith <jes4565@...> wrote:

Blog version with photos at:
http://deepskyobserving.blogspot.com/2009/11/wet-behind-ears-dewy-night-at-willo\
w.html

A small group of observers took the opportunity to go to Willow Springs
last Saturday night, There had been plenty of indecision leading, as a
large bank of clouds lay to the west, on the heels of the rain we had
Friday. The jet stream forecast pointed the problem to the southeast
directly at Willow, but the visual and IR weather loops an east-west
trajectory with the southern edge skirting the south bay. I met Olga at
the usual Morgan Hill Chevron rendezvous and caravaned south. The sun
had already set and twilight silhouetted the black hills to the west
against florescent golds, oranges and a deepening electric blue. The
Belt of Venus was already well up in the east. An hour later we arrived
Willow, followed closely by Greg and Marko. The air was a chilled 38
degrees, sunset a dying ember. The only was from the stars, Jupiter and
crescent moon.

Soon our host Kevin emerged, dragging out Dobzilla, his 33" Dob. I had
my 18" f/4.5 Obsession, Greg a 22" f/3.6 and Marko an 18" f/3.7 . I
shared my telescope with Olga, who has proven to be a good observer and
very proficient star-hopper, in spite of still being wet behind the
ears. Even well before the moon set there were some great views. Greg
showed The Veil in the 22, and we had fun poking around with his 77mm
binoculars, looking at wide field targets.

After dark Kevin shared a mind boggling view of the Dumbbell Nebula in
the 33". At low power and with a filter, its distinct apple-core shape
was very apparent, containing what appeared to be strings of filamentary
material. The outer edges were clearly defined, in a large oval, but
with extra "puffs" of ejecta outward of the main shell, at right angles
to the major axis of the apple-core. Easily one of the best views I've
had of the target. We'd run back and forth, scope to scope, grabbing
views, but most of the night was spent in pursuit of dry optics. The
only master of the seas that night was Marko, who's dew setup kept him
out of the drink. We talked about dew prevention a bit, and I related
that I've only been really dewed out a handful of times in all the years
I've been going out. But this high on the the "bad" scale of those
nights. All night long, the views would bloat, then fade to empty
fields. My secondary and eyepieces were hit bad. The combination of dew
and masacara are a deadly combination.

But the night was still a lot of fun. In the background, there was
plenty of chatter, and Kevin's selection of music, eclectic, ranging
from beautiful flamenco guitar to lullabies in foreign languages, to old
cowboy tunes from the American West. I think my favorites were The
Streets of Laredo, Red River Valley, and Happy Trails, which I would
have loved hearing as the last song of the night. It occurred to me how
ingrained in me those songs of the old west were - back to my earliest
childhood memories. But to my observing partner they were as foreign and
new as most of the objects we were observing. I enjoyed the old songs,
and new songs, along with the old views, and new views.

By the end of the night, we were picking out bright targets just for
fun. M42, M37, M38, M36, M35, M46/47, The Eskimo (bloated and dulled by
dew), a teasing taste of Thor's Helmet, then off to the Mexican Jumping
Star in NGC 2362. The star would not jump much though... I think the
telescope was frozen. W pointed low toward Canis Major, it just kept
dropping down... unbalanced from the weight of the frozen ice sheet of
dew on the shroud.

In the morning, I looked over at Marko's scope, and chuckled at the ring
of obliterated footprints surrounding it, too many to count, marking his
mostly circular travels during the night. A small distance walked, but
such a great distance traveled.

Packed up my gear, I lazily daydreamed of a bigger scope, wondering just
what I could might see. Its a fun dream. I dream it a lot.

It had been a very wet night. Yet even with the cold and dew, it was a
fun. It was good to be out again, with friends, under the dark sky.
Thanks Kevin, for the hospitality.

Here are our other observations from the night. Happy trails...

NGC514 Psc GX 4.2'x2.7' 12.2B 01 24 03 +12 55 03
12mm - amorphous, some central condensation, no detail. Large, dim.

N524 Psc GX 2.7' 11.3B 01 24 48 +09 32 00
Viewed NGC 524, along with NGC 518, NGC 516, NGC 509, NGC 532 and NGC
525 all in the same field. Most had to be teased out, due to conditions.

HCG5 Psc Hickson 0.9'x0.7' 14.9B 00 38 54 +07 03 46 NGC 190
Observed A, B and C components. Very surprising, conditions are
apparently varying.

AGC 0076 Psc GX 28.0' 15.0 00 39 48 +06 46 00 IC 1565
Located very close to Hickson 5. Only picked up IC 1565 and IC 1566.

N486/90/92 Psc GX Trio 0.4' 15.5 01 22 06 +05 24 00
This trio was a very dim smudgy grouping that would not break into
individual galaxies.

N48 Psc GX 1.4'x0.9' 14.4P 01 21 48 +05 15 00
Fighting very dewy conditions, picked up round glows of NGC 49, NGC 51,
NGC 48 and IC 1534.

Arp157 Psc GX 4.5'x1.8' 12.2B 01 24 35 +03 47 00 NGC 0520
OK view. With 7mm a bright knot on the NNW end, with a spread
appearance, almost fan-like, at the SSE end. Long and thin.

Arp227 Psc GX 7.0'x6.2' 12.4B 01 20 06 +03 25 00 NGC 0474
3 nice galaxies in a group. NGC 470 and NGC 474 very close together,
with 470 appearing noticeably fainter. NGC 467 is the smallest of the
three and about 10' E of 470.

NGC428 Cet GX 4.1'x3.1' 11.9B 01 12 55 +00 58 54
Entire galaxy appears chaotic. Large, with a N/S oval shape and fairly
even brightness across surface.

HGC7 Cet GX 2.2'x0.8' 13.4B 00 39 13 +00 51 49 NGC 0192
Perhaps the most pleasing view of the night was teasing out this
wonderful foursome of galaxies. This is a bright Hickson. NGC 201 is the
largest of the group and stands alone, with the other three smaller
galaxies grouped into a small tig



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