Time to Buy

[John Preston]

If anyone has any loose change, Orion Telescopes recently posted their new dobsonian offerings...

http://www.telescope.com/control/telescopes/reflector-telescopes

Goodness.

Hmmm, still looking for those billions of pennies to get that one

[sregener]

Randy, I think it would be very noble of you to donate one of these as a door prize for this year's holiday party.  As a side benefit, the winner automatically becomes president! 

[Randy H]

I'll look into that. But keeping in the spirit of "door prize", shouldn't the prize have to fit in the door??

[Captain Kirk]

If we go to Salem Glen next year where may be a pole barn we can get it into.

[John Preston]

Ok, I broke down and ordered a new Stellarvue SV105 Apo with a CGEM mount, they should arrive by end of the week. I also ordered a new QHY8-Pro 6 megapixel imager that is on backorder so I hope to get it soon but who knows.

Look forward to seeing through a great apo and getting some nice wide field images. New toys yay!!!

[Luka]

That sounds like a great setup. I bet it would be nice for observing too.  Are you going to guide it with the SV70?

[John Preston]

Oh yes, the SV70 will be mounted on there. I did get one 30mm 2" eyepiece for it so I can't wait to look through it too! Let you know when it comes in so if you want to drop by to take a peak through it you can.

[Luka]

Absolutely! That would be great.

[John Preston]

Didn't come in last week as Vic from Stellarvue does a star check on every scope they sell and it's been cloudy there too, awesome service I must say. I did call them Monday and it's being shipped so I hope to see it Thursday or Friday at the latest.

[Mr.Gorp]

If you are interested in a great GREEN laser pointer, check out Jasper Lasers. They have most of their lasers on sale. We purchased the Curve last year -- At that price we purchased one for each of us, so we don't have to fight over who has the laser.

http://jasperlaser.com/

[John Preston]

Do they show how the mounts work on each type of telescope setup? The reason I ask they mention brands but not the type of clamps etc. Not real fond of the "sticky" setup.

[Luka]

For anyone wanting to try a refractor, here's a  $40 deal :
http://www.amazon.com/Sky-Watcher-Great-Start-70-AR-AZ2/dp/B001OZQEDW/

You certainly can't get more astronomy for $40.

And a 5 inch reflector:
http://www.amazon.com/Sky-Watcher-GreatStart-130N-EQ2-Newtonian-Reflector/dp/B0039IT3CQ/

[Captain Kirk]

Local Scope:  Orion Skyquest XT10i Dobsonian ALT-AZ Intelliscope

http://rmn.craigslist.org/pho/1754606370.html

I have no idea who the seller is.

Kirk

[sregener]

For anyone willing to move and wants a roll-off roof observatory, Duane Deal is selling his old house, complete with an elevated observatory.

[Mr.Gorp]

Any recommendations of software for astronomy?  At this point, I'm not into astro-photography (may when I get my next telescope). My interest currently is for the PC laptop, Window 7. (Mac software at a later date.)

We've been using Stellarium for viewing and that seems to work fine. (Thanks Randy, for the good review of Star mapping software a previous club meeting).

I'm starting out looking for something that I can switch the colors or background scheme to a night sky friendly colors (i.e. red). Then when I get home, to revert to the "normal" scheme.

Any other software that I should consider?