I guess should add I'm in East Texas. If you're in Arizona or a very dry
climate,it might be possible.

Paul


--- In telescopes@yahoogroups.com, "pemulvogue" <pemulvogue@...> wrote:
>
> Have to agree here! With my 20" seldom go above 260x.
>
> Paul
>
> --- In telescopes@yahoogroups.com, judson Mitchell <manisteej@> wrote:
> >
> > Not sure where you live, but in my neck of the woods (Upstate South
> > Carolina) 325X would be a very seldom used magnification.  It gets more
> > difficult with smaller aperture.  I use a 12" dob and 250 X is usually
> > stretching it.  If you have good seeing, then maybe, but with an 8" that
> > reduces the usable magnification.   Try before you buy would be a good
> > approach assuming someone can loan you one.
> >
> > Jud Mitchell
> >
> > On Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 9:25 AM, Chris Del Plato <cdelplato@>wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > Hi all,
> > >
> > > Wondering if anyone has used the Orion ED-2 3.7mm on the XT8. Have an
> > > opportunity to buy one at a nice price.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Chris
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Jud Mitchell
> > Ret.
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>

Have to agree here! With my 20" seldom go above 260x.

Paul

--- In telescopes@yahoogroups.com, judson Mitchell <manisteej@...> wrote:
>
> Not sure where you live, but in my neck of the woods (Upstate South
> Carolina) 325X would be a very seldom used magnification.  It gets more
> difficult with smaller aperture.  I use a 12" dob and 250 X is usually
> stretching it.  If you have good seeing, then maybe, but with an 8" that
> reduces the usable magnification.   Try before you buy would be a good
> approach assuming someone can loan you one.
>
> Jud Mitchell
>
> On Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 9:25 AM, Chris Del Plato <cdelplato@...>wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Hi all,
> >
> > Wondering if anyone has used the Orion ED-2 3.7mm on the XT8. Have an
> > opportunity to buy one at a nice price.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Chris
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Jud Mitchell
> Ret.
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Astronomical Calendar 2010 by Guy Ottewell. 
http://store.universalworkshop.com/2010_Astronomical_Calendar_p/ac10.htm
http://www.shopatsky.com/productdetail/AC2010.htm
Sky & Telescope Magazine "centerfold" and other info on the pages.
www.skyandtelescope.com
www.heavens-above.com for stuff by hour.

--- In telescopes@yahoogroups.com, white837@... wrote:
>
> Aye Everyone, Please excuse the cross post but I was wondering what is your
>  favorite and or most informative Astronomy Calendar to use to find out
> what's up on a given day?
>
> Mike White
> Long Beach,
> CA. 90805-3530
> U.S.A.
> N 33* 51' 46.3
> W -118* 10'  39.4
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Aye Everyone, Please excuse the cross post but I was wondering what is your
  favorite and or most informative Astronomy Calendar to use to find out
what's up on a given day?

Mike White
Long Beach,
CA. 90805-3530
U.S.A.
N 33* 51' 46.3
W -118* 10'  39.4




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

I found an archive site for coveryourastro.com and it hasn't been around since
Oct. 2006. I doubt if you can still get the manual that includes the directions
to make one anymore. If anyone finds the instructions to build one I would like
to know.
Funny thing is I found the web address in my favorites menu from way back in
2005. I just never ordered the book.
Jerry in Arizona

--- On Wed, 11/11/09, Connie b <okiestarman@...> wrote:


From: Connie b <okiestarman@...>
Subject: [Telescopes] Re: Observatory for a Dob
To: telescopes@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 4:52 PM


 





Hi Tim.
I'm in the same boat as you are,I'm building http://www.esmithon line.com/
astronomy/ observatory. htm this as it looks portable and allows a dob to go
very low plus be able to stay up. The site "coveryourastro" is down so you can't
get the book for it but it looks easy enough. Just a thought.

Jerry

--- In telescopes@yahoogro ups.com, "clearestskies" <tmnelson@.. .> wrote:
>
> I have a 12" Dobsonian that I keep at my cottage. I would like to store it in
a small observatory - or tent for the summer. If possible, I would also like to
be able to observe from it.
>
> I had an observing tent from Kendricks but the sides didn't zip down far
enough for me to observe from. Something like the Skyshed Pod -
http://www.skyshedp od.com/ - would be ideal, but again - the sides look too
high to use with a dobsonian.
>
> Has anyone found a tent or small observatory that has low enough sides that
would allow observing with a Dobsonian?
>
> Thanks - Tim Nelson
>











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

Not sure where you live, but in my neck of the woods (Upstate South
Carolina) 325X would be a very seldom used magnification.  It gets more
difficult with smaller aperture.  I use a 12" dob and 250 X is usually
stretching it.  If you have good seeing, then maybe, but with an 8" that
reduces the usable magnification.   Try before you buy would be a good
approach assuming someone can loan you one.

Jud Mitchell

On Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 9:25 AM, Chris Del Plato <cdelplato@...>wrote:

>
>
> Hi all,
>
> Wondering if anyone has used the Orion ED-2 3.7mm on the XT8. Have an
> opportunity to buy one at a nice price.
>
> Thanks,
> Chris
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>



--
Jud Mitchell
Ret.


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

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone has used the Orion ED-2 3.7mm on the XT8.  Have an
opportunity to buy one at a nice price.

Thanks,
Chris


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

Just a quick reminder about the many other features available to all members of
Talking Telescopes.  In addition to the message board, you are invited to look
over the "Links", "Photos", "Files", "Database," and "Polls" sections.

"Links" include members's favorite links to all sorts of astronomical topics. 
If you have a favorite web site, even if it's your own, add a link to it here. 
Please be sure to place it in the appropriate folder.

Under "Photos" and "Files," you will find all sorts of things, ranging from
photos of our equipment and ourselves, to reviews, links, and other
miscellaneous items.  Once again, feel free to add your own files or photos.
http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/telescopes/lst
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/telescopes/files/

In the "Database" (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/telescopes/database ) members
post notes about what equipment they own.  With more than 300 telescopes listed
thus far, this list can provide you with instant access to people who may
already own a piece of equipment that you are considering.  Each entry includes
a brief summary of the telescope's pros and cons.  If you are looking for a
specific telescope, it's always good to check the database to see if a member
owns that telescope, and what they think of it.

The Database is also where you will find our group Swap & Shop, where members
can buy, sell, or trade items.  Sure, you can still post to AstroMart and
others, but why not also give us a chance to get into the action?  If you are
looking to buy or sell something, post it here.  Members can also post one-time
notices of ads on the message board that they have placed in the Swap and Shop. 
Note that you CANNOT post announcements on the list for items that you have for
sale through other services, such as AstroMart, eBay, etc.

We also run polls and surveys every now and then to test the waters on various
issues. We ask that all poll questions be filtered through one of the list
moderators (John Bambury, Chris Adamson, Kevin Dixon, Geoff Gaherty, or Phil
Harrington) before posting.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/telescopes/polls


TT Moderators

The moderators encourage all members of Talking Telescopes to discuss all
aspects of amateur telescopes and related equipment in an open, friendly manner
in order to foster the exchange of ideas and opinions.

Unfortunately, we must also caution members, especially those who are new to the
subject, to take what some other members say with a grain of salt.  Please do
not interpret everything that is posted here as gospel, as we have seen some
people repeatedly post messages that contain erroneous information.  There are
those who post what sound like "authoritative" comments about telescopes that
they have neither seen nor tested.

We would request that members only post comments about telescopes with which
they are familiar, rather than repeating hearsay and unfounded rhetoric.  We
would also encourage experienced members who see an error in another person's
post to correct that misconception in a follow-up post, setting the record
straight so to speak.

Thanks,
The Moderators

One of the biggest complaints we get is the high volume of messages on this
list. Our policy statement has some specific rules about posts, but we feel some
reminders are in order:

1. Keep the posts short. You are not writing a novel!

2. Keep the posts to the technical aspects of observing or photographic
equipment only. There's Starrynights for observing reports, and hundreds of
other discussion groups for other types of messages.

3. Do not post the same question more than once. If you don't get an answer the
first time, it may be that no one here has the answer. And if you do get
answers, but none of them is what you wanted to hear, don't ask again.

4. Do not continue to bring to the groups attention specials currently available
on inferior quality cheap telescopes. These telescopes serve very little
worthwhile purpose to experienced observers or beginners.

5. Please edit the quotes of messages you're replying to. One of us (GG) is now
accessing the group part of the time by a very slow dialup connection, as are
quite a few others. It's usually not necessary to quote more than a sentence or
two from the original message to get the context across.

 Thanks guys for all your help its makes my decision alot easyer. thanks
again  anthony



________________________________
From: drexelpbp <gcalobrisi@...>
To: telescopes@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Fri, November 13, 2009 6:32:15 PM
Subject: [Telescopes] Re: orion xt8i intelliscope

 
Hi Tony

I have an XT8i. It was my first scope. I love it. Great views, and Intelliscope
works well. I would highly recommend it.

Gary

--- In telescopes@yahoogro ups.com, "lvam1521" <lvam1521@.. .> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> Does anyone have the Orion xt8i Intelliscope? How do they like it?
> Does it have enough light gathering power? How does the Intelliscope
> operate and is it difficult to install?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Tony
>







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

Hi Tony

I have an XT8i. It was my first scope. I love it. Great views, and Intelliscope
works well. I would highly recommend it.

Gary

--- In telescopes@yahoogroups.com, "lvam1521" <lvam1521@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> Does anyone have the Orion xt8i Intelliscope? How do they like it?
> Does it have enough light gathering power? How does the Intelliscope
> operate and is it difficult to install?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Tony
>

Hi,
  Isn't the limiting magnitude relative to the exit pupil size? Eyesight itself
plays the largest role. I find I can see the faintest stars in the range of
20-30x per inch of objective.
Rick






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

Check out today's news release
(2009/11/13)http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LCROSS/main/prelim_water_results.h\
tml

--- In telescopes@yahoogroups.com, "clearestskies" <tmnelson@...> wrote:
>
> I have a 12" Dobsonian that I keep at my cottage. I would like to store it in
a small observatory - or tent for the summer. If possible, I would also like to
be able to observe from it.

Hi.

I'm in the middle of planning a "roll-off cover" or "roll-off shed" for my Mom's
old Newtonian telescope.

I had tried some internet searching but was having trouble finding ideas. Then a
fellow RASCal sent me these links!

http://www.wellsbrothers.org/scope/
http://www.shoestringastronomy.com/obs/obs.htm

Lots of good ideas!

I'll try to upload some of my plans and drawings to my blog. I'll keep you
posted...

clear dark skies,
Blake

Blake Nancarrow blaken@...
NOVA fall 2008 / spring 2009 course coordinator
webmaster and information technology chair
RASC Toronto Centre http://toronto.rasc.ca/

> The base must be level for this to work properly.

That is not correct.  The optical tube and base must be perpendicular, but it
does not have to be level in use.   This is a common misconception because in
order to get it perpendicular, the easiest thing to do is level the base and
then make sure the top of the optical tube is also level by using the stop nut
where the tube rests against the base.

I've used my scope on a very slanted surface and it works perfectly.

John Wunderlin
Mineral Point, WI
XT10i

Hi, I have one and it's my favorite scope.

Look on www.cloudynights.com for many positive reviews.  The Intelliscope is
quite accurate, and a big help in light-polluted skies.  Note that it is a
"push-to" design, not a "go-to".  So it will get you to an object quite
accurately, but you must track that object manually which is not hard, but if
you don't move the scope you will see the object drift out of the field of view
eventually.

One small correction to the above comment.  To work correctly, the base of the
telescope does not need to be level in the sense of horizontal to the Earth. 
You can put it on non-level ground and it will work just fine.  However, there
is a small "stop" that the tube hits when you swing it to vertical.  When the
tube is against this stop the base and the tube must make exactly a right angle.
The stop is adjustable for this reason.  So in your garage, carefully level the
base by placing thin shims under the legs until it is level, and then adjust the
stop until the tube is perfectly vertical.  Use a long level against the side of
the tube - don't put a level across the opening at the top, the reinforcing ring
is not accurate and you might drop the level onto the mirror!  Now lock the stop
in place and you will be ready to take the scope out for observing.  When the
Intelliscope screen sais "point scope vertical" you just swing the tube until it
contacts the stop (even if the base is not perfectly horizontal) and press
enter, then follow the rest of the instructions.

Ted

--- In telescopes@yahoogroups.com, Doug <truckstop.astronomer@...> wrote:
>
> I had one. It had very good optics, definitely good light gathering power,
> and in mine the Intelliscope system was quite accurate.
> The base must be level for this to work properly.
> Doug
>
> On Fri, Nov 13, 2009 at 7:38 AM, lvam1521 <lvam1521@...> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > Does anyone have the Orion xt8i Intelliscope? How do they like it?
> > Does it have enough light gathering power? How does the Intelliscope
> > operate and is it difficult to install?
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > Tony
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Doug
> Truckstop Astronomer
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Thank you for that, Geoff, I was not aware of the cause of the effect of fainter
stars being visible with higher mags.

Is it possible to predict how much is gained with increasing magnification? Has
this been quantified or graphed somewhere?

I realize that seeing plays a part in this, as well as aperture.

But is there some sort of rule of thumb?

Thanks,

Paco

--- In telescopes@yahoogroups.com, Geoff Gaherty <geoff@...> wrote:
>
>   Increasing magnification decreases the brightness that the eye
> receives, and drops the stars below the threshhold, and we can no longer
perceive their colour.
>
> The odd thing is that this effect is more pronounced for extended
> objects, so the sky background drops more in brightness (as do >extended
objects like nebulae and galaxies) than do the stars, so >you can actually _see_
fainter stars at higher magnifications, >though not their colour.
>
> As a variable star observer, I often switch to quite high >magnifications when
observing stars near my magnitude limit.

> Geoff
>
> --
>

I have the xt10i.  At my club, i was able to A/B compare it to an xt8i, and
additionally, an xt8.  Both the xt8 and xt8i had excellent optics.  I found that
though my xt10i is a bit brighter, the xt8i allowed me to see all the detail
that my xt10i gives me, for a variety of objects.  I didn't stress test this by,
for example, looking for Pluto. These tests were done under moderate light
pollution, with objects like m16, m57, m13, m27 (the dumbell). Both my scope,
and the xt8i have enough light to withstand Orion's oxygen 3 filter.  The
Lumicon oxygen 3 is brighter, and can be used with smaller scopes.  Of course,
the xt8i is smaller and lighter than the xt10i, which is a bonus.  If i'm moving
my xt10i more than a few feet, i disassemble it, and reassemble it.  The xt8i
can be moved intact.

While the Intelliscope computer is good, it doesn't always get you to the object
in the field.  Sometimes, the object is in an adjacent field.  But it works
well, even when the object is at the zenith.  Also, i've not noticed that one
needs to level it.  But it is important that once aligned, that the base remains
where it was.  One winter night, my alignment degraded slowly.  Well, the snow
beneath the scope was melting.  Setup of my xt10i, including 2 star alignment,
is under 3 minutes - including opening the car and pulling it out.  I've had
mine about 3 years now.  I would say that it's easy to install and use.  I
seldom have to collimate. Maybe twice a year. Alignment of the secondary is much
harder than the primary.  I usually do that at home.  If it comes disassembled
(mine did), take your time assembling it.  I misassembled my base, and had to
take it apart to put it together right.  The azimuth sensor in the base is the
most difficult to get right.  It's quite sensitive to exactly how many partial
turns of tightness.  There's a sweet spot, and without experience, it's tough to
know where it is.

The thing i like about my xt10i is that it's a "grab and go" scope, and yet it's
quite large.  The 12" and now 14" versions are truss dobs, which take longer to
set up.  Well, the 12" comes in a tube dob, but that won't fit in my car.


--- In telescopes@yahoogroups.com, "lvam1521" <lvam1521@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> Does anyone have the Orion xt8i Intelliscope? How do they like it?
> Does it have enough light gathering power? How does the Intelliscope
> operate and is it difficult to install?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Tony
>

I had one. It had very good optics, definitely good light gathering power,
and in mine the Intelliscope system was quite accurate.
The base must be level for this to work properly.
Doug

On Fri, Nov 13, 2009 at 7:38 AM, lvam1521 <lvam1521@...> wrote:

>
>
> Hi,
>
> Does anyone have the Orion xt8i Intelliscope? How do they like it?
> Does it have enough light gathering power? How does the Intelliscope
> operate and is it difficult to install?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Tony
>
>
>



--
Doug
Truckstop Astronomer


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

Hi,

Does anyone have the Orion xt8i Intelliscope? How do they like it?
Does it have enough light gathering power? How does the Intelliscope
operate and is it difficult to install?

Thanks.

Tony

mljbw2 wrote:
> Hi all, a couple of nights ago the clouds cooperated and I was able
> to enjoy the Double cluster (NGC 869) in our 8" LB. While using the
> Meade QX 26 mm there were definite red stars. When I switched to the
> Stratus Wide Field 13 mm all of the colour went away.
>
> Just wondering if this has to do with magnification or...?

Yes, it has everything to do with magnification.  The human eye can only
detect colour when the object is above a certain brightness threshhold.
   Increasing magnification decreases the brightness that the eye
receives, and drops the stars below the threshhold, and we can no longer
perceive their colour.

The odd thing is that this effect is more pronounced for extended
objects, so the sky background drops more in brightness (as do extended
objects like nebulae and galaxies) than do the stars, so you can
actually _see_ fainter stars at higher magnifications, though not their
colour.

As a variable star observer, I often switch to quite high magnifications
when observing stars near my magnitude limit.  Variable star observers
also often defocus when observing strongly coloured stars, so as to
minimize the colour difference between the variable (Mira-type long
period variables are usually strongly red) and the comparison stars
(usually not red).  This is very important because of the Purkinje
effect, which makes red stars appear brighter than they really are.

Geoff

--
Geoff Gaherty
Foxmead Observatory
Coldwater, Ontario, Canada
http://www.gaherty.ca

Hi all, a couple of nights ago the clouds cooperated and I was able to enjoy the
Double cluster (NGC 869) in our 8" LB. While using the Meade QX 26 mm there were
definite red stars. When I switched to the Stratus Wide Field 13 mm all of the
colour went away.

Just wondering if this has to do with magnification or...?
Brian

Tim,

I had the same problem. I solved it by buying a 8'by 8' logic shed.  It's a
steel framed cloth covered shed from amizon.  I mounted it on 2*6's with
lawnmower wheels so I could push the whole thing back on two tracks made of the
same.  It worked fine all last summmer.
Even though it doesn't seal along the edges I didn't have any problem with rain
and or animals all summer long, and I mean skunks,cyotes,bobcats, etc... .

Scott

---

Hi Tim.
  I'm in the same boat as you are,I'm building
http://www.esmithonline.com/astronomy/observatory.htm this as it looks portable
and allows a dob to go very low plus be able to stay up. The site
"coveryourastro" is down so you can't get the book for it but it looks easy
enough. Just a thought.

Jerry

--- In telescopes@yahoogroups.com, "clearestskies" <tmnelson@...> wrote:
>
> I have a 12" Dobsonian that I keep at my cottage. I would like to store it in
a small observatory - or tent for the summer. If possible, I would also like to
be able to observe from it.
>
> I had an observing tent from Kendricks but the sides didn't zip down far
enough for me to observe from. Something like the Skyshed Pod -
http://www.skyshedpod.com/ - would be ideal, but again - the sides look too high
to use with a dobsonian.
>
> Has anyone found a tent or small observatory that has low enough sides that
would allow observing with a Dobsonian?
>
> Thanks - Tim Nelson
>

From: "suitti" <suitti@...>
> What you'd really like is something that has no sides at all.  That is,
> instead of a roll off roof, have an entirely roll off building.  I've seen
> such things.  The rails are on the ground.

Phil Harrington, the Big Kahuna of this Yahoo group, did exactly that. He
has pictures of it on his web site: http://www.philharrington.net/swo/

Jack Kramer
Lily Lake, Illinois

What you'd really like is something that has no sides at all.  That is, instead
of a roll off roof, have an entirely roll off building.  I've seen such things. 
The rails are on the ground.  One side of the rectangular box is a door.  You
open it, and roll the entire structure away from your scope.  You're never going
to be in it, so it only needs to be big enough for your scope.  Maybe with some
extra room, in case you decide to put your dob on a wedge or something.

I'm not aware of a commercial product you can just buy.  But it's not something
that's that hard to make.  You might even design it as a triangular box rather
than square.  But pay attention to the crown and make sure it doesn't leak.

--- In telescopes@yahoogroups.com, "clearestskies" <tmnelson@...> wrote:
>
> I have a 12" Dobsonian that I keep at my cottage. I would like to store it in
a small observatory - or tent for the summer. If possible, I would also like to
be able to observe from it.
>
> I had an observing tent from Kendricks but the sides didn't zip down far
enough for me to observe from. Something like the Skyshed Pod -
http://www.skyshedpod.com/ - would be ideal, but again - the sides look too high
to use with a dobsonian.
>
> Has anyone found a tent or small observatory that has low enough sides that
would allow observing with a Dobsonian?
>
> Thanks - Tim Nelson
>

clearestskies wrote:
> I had an observing tent from Kendricks but the sides didn't zip down
> far enough for me to observe from. Something like the Skyshed Pod -
> http://www.skyshedpod.com/ - would be ideal, but again - the sides
> look too high to use with a dobsonian.

I have a SkyShed POD and it's definitely not suitable for a Dob.  It
works well for Cassegrains up to about 11" to 12" and refractors with
focal lengths under about 1000 mm.  But the 4' high walls just don't
work with Newtonians if you need to observe close to the horizon.  If
you look on the main SkyShed site, there are some roll-off roof SkySheds
which have very short walls, specifically fo Dobs.

Geoff

--
Geoff Gaherty
Foxmead Observatory
Coldwater, Ontario, Canada
http://www.gaherty.ca

I have a 12" Dobsonian that I keep at my cottage. I would like to store it in a
small observatory - or tent for the summer. If possible, I would also like to be
able to observe from it.

I had an observing tent from Kendricks but the sides didn't zip down far enough
for me to observe from. Something like the Skyshed Pod -
http://www.skyshedpod.com/ - would be ideal, but again - the sides look too high
to use with a dobsonian.

Has anyone found a tent or small observatory that has low enough sides that
would allow observing with a Dobsonian?

Thanks - Tim Nelson

chua wrote:
> will the etx ls fit into the orion obeserver backpack case.
> is the backpack good?

My Celestron NexStar 6SE (scope and mount, but not tripod) fits snugly
but perfectly into the Orion backpack.  Assuming the ETX is the same
size, it should fit a well.  The case is well made and serves its
purpose will for my 6SE.

Geoff

--
Geoff Gaherty
Foxmead Observatory
Coldwater, Ontario, Canada
http://www.gaherty.ca