Astronomer Bass Players?

Russell L · #1 03-25-2011, 07:11 PM

Hey, any of ya'll bass junkies also into astronomy? I am, as an amatuer, of course. I've always been into it since I was a small kid. Had a little 3" newtonian reflector in 1960, moved up to a Criterion RV-6 Newtonian in 1963. In 2008, I inherited my Dad's Celestron Celestar 8 SCT, which was a real jump in performance for me. Now, though, I've become a refractor guy with my Orion 120ST and Celestron Wide View 80, both at f5. I've discovered the joys of richfield viewing at low power, wide-field.

Anyway, jump on in if ya have an interest. You can also find me on Astroholic.com, and I'm a member of Cloudy Nights.

Clear skies.

Selta · #2 03-25-2011, 07:15 PM

I have an Orion dobsonian mount 8". I've been into astronomy since I was 11 or 12. Sucks that I live in a city now with so much light pollution

hbarcat · #3 03-25-2011, 09:50 PM

I'm a proud astronomy dork.

I got the Sears 2.4" refractor as an x-mas present from my folks when I was 8 and actually got some good use out of it for a few years.

But then I saw the 3 part "How to Build a Dobsonian Telescope" article in Astronomy magazine when I was 10 years old and my dad and I built a 10" version just like the plans - plywood and cardboard - with an overcorrected mirror from Coulter Optical in California.

I still have it.

Saturn is always beautiful and the Orion nebula looks gorgeous with an LPR filter.

Though I have built several other scopes in the 10" - 16" range I haven't taken advantage of them recently because of my deteriorating eyesight and also the fact that the skies around where I live in northern Illinois are all light polluted.

On the major plus side: My uncle recently moved back here from where he was living in Hawaii as a college professor (at the U of H) and he brought back with him a 10 meter radio telescope, complete with all the hardware, controls and stuff to make it work.

We're working to find a site for it (not a small task) and then we'll be setting it up (also not a small task) to do some amateur radio astronomy.

purpletornado · #4 03-25-2011, 10:57 PM

Astronomy geek here, too. Got a 4.5" Newtonian reflector and love to take my girls out stargazing. In the next couple weeks I'm getting a nice pair of binoculars for viewing. Can't wait.

Russell L · #5 03-25-2011, 10:59 PM

A'right, howdy fellers. Nice 8"s and 10"s you have there. You sure can get some aperture with a Dob for less money. Me, I've either gotten too lazy or I'm getting too old, but it's the 120ST refractor that goes out the door anymore. And I only have it on an eq-2 mount, slightly undermounted, but it works and is lightweight. I live in a red zone, light pollution wise,and also have to move around the yard a lot due to trees. I'm too close to Columbia, SC. (Where the gigs are, ya know). But, I have seen M104, the Sombrero, Ring Neb, and some other brighter objects. M7 is a favorite, also M44, 42, 35, and more. Planets aren't 120's forte, but the 8" SCT is a planet killer, when I get up the motivation, lol. Been at this since I was 10, and love it. No expensive eyepieces yet, mainly using an Orion Q70 26mm, TMB 8mm Planetary, and a Celestron 25mm SMA Kellner.

Hey, Ray, I have a Sears Discoverer 60mm, but haven't used it in awhile. Optics are nice, actually. I bet your Orion Dob is nice. I think 8" is where you really start to get performance in a reflector, much more than a 6".

RADIO TELESCOPE!!! Holy schmokas, hbarcat!! Now that's a dream. What a different experience that will be for you. I gotta admit, I don't know how to run one. Lemme know how that turns out.

Ya'll come see us on Astroholic.com if ya like. Nice place with nice folks.

Clear skies to yas. I'll be back.

Russell L · #6 03-25-2011, 11:09 PM

Oh, howdy purpletornado, ya slipped in while I was typing. 4.5" Newt is a handy tool, like my short tube 80 refractor. That's great that you and your daughter observe together. She will always remember it.

Binos sound good. I have 10x50 Celestron Ultima DX, the Chinese version. They have a dang flaw, but I get by with them. I know you're gonna love yours and the wide view, so will your daughter. Do ya'll have a dark sky?

mrpackerguy · #7 03-26-2011, 08:57 AM

I have dabbled since childhood. 1st scope was a $50 60mm refractor from Montgomery Ward after I won a talent show in 7th grade. Since then I've owned various refractors including that crazy heavy Celestron 120mm beast, a couple Dobs 6" and 8", that little Meade 75mm with the star tracking, and now a 90mm Mak that I have not spent nearly the time with I'd like. Kinda thinking going to back to a light bucket Dob.

yamark · #8 03-26-2011, 09:03 AM

I teach high school astronomy. It's a blast. I use a 10 inch dobsonian. It's great for a teaching scope because it forces the kids to correctly use their mapping skills and manually follow the equatorial.

purpletornado · #9 03-26-2011, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell L

Oh, howdy purpletornado, ya slipped in while I was typing. 4.5" Newt is a handy tool, like my short tube 80 refractor. That's great that you and your daughter observe together. She will always remember it.

Binos sound good. I have 10x50 Celestron Ultima DX, the Chinese version. They have a dang flaw, but I get by with them. I know you're gonna love yours and the wide view, so will your daughter. Do ya'll have a dark sky?

It's not too bad in town. I live in a pretty small place so we get by in the backyard. A 15 minute drive into the hills around here makes a huge difference though and opens up a lot more targets.