Activity

I just talked to Eagle Bluff. Even though it’s very late notice, the parking lot is available to us tonight and tomorrow night! I’m not positive yet if I’ll make it down. If by chance the staff didn’t get the lights turned off, go to the entrance to the dorm building (where the bathrooms are) and there should be a way to contact the staff. I have…[Read more]

Another good pic! Thanks for sharing!

Nice. Much shorter setup and all around more manageable I would suspect. I always liked my 8″ SCT and they are great for planetary imaging (and all other angularly small objects).

That should work nicely.

Today I am on the way to the Okie-Tex Star Party! I think Randy and Jerome are going to be there as well.
I am taking my new setup of the Quattro 6 inch f/4 scope and HEQ5 Pro mount and hope to get some nice pics.
I used this combo a few nights ago to get the below picture of the Helix Nebula. I was surprised by the large size and color that…[Read more]

well, i will let the entire rig go for $1200, not including eyepieces.
would be awesome for Okie-Tex!

My story today discusses something old and something new. I recently severely cracked the corrector plate of my Meade 10 in SCT while moving it. As corrector plates are not off the shelf items I haven’t found a replacement. This loss triggered me to do something with my old Meade 8 in SCT which was collecting dust in my basement as it has a…[Read more]

here is a list of other items 4 sale all in good to excellent condition;
1) Baader Hyperion 8mm Modular EP $100
2)Zhumell 2″ Widefield 30mm $35
3) Star Trak 2″ 30mm wide view plossl $80
4)Edscorp 1.25″ 6mm/12.5mm 2in1 Ortho $40
5)Celestron 1.25″ 7mm Ortho japan $50
6) Celestron 1.25″ 15mm plossl Taiwan $40
7) Tele Vue 1.25″ 15mm plossl like new in…[Read more]

I’ve been getting familiar with my new setup of scope and mount (Quattro 150P and HEQ5 pro respectively). Below is my attempt of M33 a popular target for amateurs and professionals. It graces the cover of the November 2024 Sky and Telescope and is a tempting target this time of year.
The photo below is 251, 5 second frames stacked with ASI…[Read more]

Here is interesting reading, if applied it could help to limit light pollution.

Standards for state-funded outdoor lighting fixtures.
(a) An outdoor lighting fixture may be installed or replaced using state funds only if:

(1) the new or replacement outdoor lighting fixture is a cutoff luminaire if the rated output of the outdoor lighting fixture…[Read more]

Dodge Center outreach event of 9-5-2024 was sparsely attended (mainly by club members and Ingvild Herfindahl the library director). Ingvild did her best to get the North Park lighting turned off but Excel Energy did not respond to her request. We had a good discussion during the presentation portion (about Orion-Meade departure from commercial…[Read more]

Thanks for the links Josef.

I did get the ZBolt green laser pointer, I don’t care for the on/off button being on the bottom end. It’s just a little awkward using your thumb to actuate it. But it does have a constant on option. Still prefer the Orion one I have.

Colin Graves

Two videos about Orion / Meade / Coronado abruptly closed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wjsx2T55PHc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9VFVsz_sb8

Outreach at Frontenac State Park last night (8/31) was outstanding. Large crowd of old and young, clear dark skies and great presentation and discussions by club members. Frontenac has fairly good horizons except to the east where tree tops block view a bit. A zenith dark sky recording appears below. Max readings (MPSAS = 21.07 and NELM =…[Read more]

I plan to head out there and I think Duane will be there as well, at least he was planning on coming out a couple of days ago.

I’m contemplating coming out tonight. How late do you figure, Joseph?

OK, I see we should continue in topic  2024-observing.

Yes, indeed, it was a “Glorious Night for Astronomy” resulting to your great picture of the Milky Way. I planning be at Root River park today Fri 9/31, but just got call we’ll have a visitors. Maybe later at night. Light should be still off.

Root River Park, Milky Way, August 28th 2024

It was a “Glorious Night for Astronomy”

10 biases, 20 darks, 17 x 121 second subs. Stretched for balance then heavily processed to reduce skyglow/light pollution, mostly near the horizon. One horizon line was removed and one burned to black on the edge.