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Post by Mike on Jul 17, 2011 21:06:49 GMT -5
You guys ever see Omega Centauri, Eta Carinae or the Southern Cross? I can see Omega from my house in Fort Myers (26 degrees latitude) but not the other two. From my yard Omega Centauri is a naked eye fuzzy patch with averted vision. Only when I am in the Keys can I see the other two as it is 24 degrees latitude. Even though they are still very low to the horizon it's over the water and due south. Planetary viewing or imaging in the Keys over the water is fantastic. Hope to get some great Jupiter images with the new refractor this year at the Winter Star Party in Feb of 2012. I think I have Ales talked into coming with me. It would be a great getaway from the cold for you northerners. Mike
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Post by Mike on Jul 26, 2011 14:19:42 GMT -5
I finally got the opportunity to get the new scope out. End of last week the clear sky clock was looking good for overnight. Since Jupiter is best at 5:00 AM and the moon was about 50%, I made myself get out of bed since I didn't know when another opportunity would present itself especially in the Southwest Florida rainy season. I am going to write a full report here in the next couple of days. I will tell you this now, it did not disappoint. I was blessed with fabulous conditions. Very steady air with transparent skies. I've been observing all my life through countless scopes and I have never seen the moon look better. Just like looking through a window. Text book airy disk inside and outside focus. After chasing telescopes for 40 years, I think I have finally found the one I'm satisfied with. Stay tuned... Mike
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Post by mikey cee on Jul 26, 2011 15:55:43 GMT -5
Boy oh boy Mike you sure know how to wind a guy up don't you?? Mike
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Post by Watcher3 on Jul 26, 2011 16:01:05 GMT -5
Beat me to it Mikey!
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Post by jamesling1000 on Jul 26, 2011 21:18:42 GMT -5
MIke....
You are going to make me change my mind from the 160F5 R60, and going for the 177 F/8 or possibly F/7,5 LaF Triplet, that Ales is recommending to me now............................................
Hope to see your report soon..................................
REgards
James Ling
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Post by mikey cee on Jul 27, 2011 9:28:52 GMT -5
Joe did you create that emoticon yourself?? ::)Mike
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Post by Watcher3 on Jul 27, 2011 10:22:29 GMT -5
Nah. Just stock I came across somewhere. A bit of a pain to add them to the site, so when I find a few together that are interesting, I add a batch.
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Post by mikey cee on Jul 27, 2011 11:05:18 GMT -5
Well I just wondered because ditto was spelled wrong! I have a nasty habit of jumping to conclusions. ;D Mike
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Post by Mike on Jul 28, 2011 12:28:22 GMT -5
The weather overnight for the next three nights looks very promising. I feel some good Jupiter images coming on. That will be more proof than anything I can write.
Mike
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Post by borispider on Jul 28, 2011 13:08:16 GMT -5
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Post by Mike on Jul 30, 2011 23:45:12 GMT -5
My first attempt with the new refractor. This is, in my opinion, an exceptional image for a 6" refractor. All the best imagers are using large Maksutovs, reflectors and SCTs to gather as much light as possible. My good friend uses a 300mm Maksutov with a special cooling system. His latest images of Jupiter are amazing. So my expectations are very high. I am quite pleased however to get this good an image. Attachments:
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Post by mikey cee on Jul 31, 2011 17:30:47 GMT -5
Mike if I don't see that pic on CN soon I'm afraid I'll have to recommend that treason proceedings commence! We got to get some good stuff from Istar plastered around soon. That should be an excellent start in my "humble" opinion! ;DMike
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Post by Mike on Jul 31, 2011 21:17:45 GMT -5
I'm not sure how to get it on CN. I thought about PMing the moderator and asking if he minded if I posted a picture of my personal telescope from Istar. I have to walk a fine line because of being a vendor. The only place we have free reign is the Vendor section which is questionable about how many actually read there. I want to do something just not sure what yet.
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Post by Mike on Aug 1, 2011 14:50:53 GMT -5
Well now... that dilemma has been resolved. Thanks Joe.
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Post by Watcher3 on Aug 1, 2011 15:23:02 GMT -5
Just such a beauty, I figured more folks should have the benefit of seeing it! Any more observation impressions? How does it stack up to some other premium optics you've looked through?
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