Take a look at the sky at night

[filsgreen]

Would this be a good point to readvertise my Russian made 4" Telescope?

£200 plus P&P

SFHYT Dave

Phil

 

[SketchUp Guru]

It should be clear here tonight as well but right now (3:10 in the afternoon) it is -22°C with a windchill of -31°C. I won't be standing out there looking at the sky tonight.

Go on you big Wus

Well, I was going to but it clouded up and we got another couple of inches of snow. :wink:

 

[Jenx]

Thats a great looking piece of work !

Question then for you fellas here that know about the night sky etc ( of which I know nothing, except how to recognise the Plough, and where the northstar is.. so you can gauge the extent of my knowledge.. )..

Nibiru or 'Planet X' -- What's behind that then ?
Is there something approaching ... scheduled to basically impact the globe on 21st Dec 2012, or is there no evidence of this at all ?

Basic info ~~> http://www.universetoday.com/2008/05/25 ... -planet-x/

(See other info by googling 2012 Doomesday / Mayan Long Count / etc etc..)

Be interesting to hear from those who actually look into the night sky with proper instruments etc, just what their take on this is :?:

 

[bugbear]

Nice! It's a Gregorian isn't it Mike?

Roy.

Thanks Roy,

It's a Newtonian reflector on a Dobsonian mount.

Some day I might make an equatorial mount for it so I can take some pictures with it

If you take multiple short exposures with a digicam, you can compensate for the movement in software, and stack the aligned images to emulate a long exposure.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.php? ... 01,0,0,1,0

BugBear

 

[DangerousDave]

Mike, that looks fantastic. That has really got me thinking. Does the mirror have to be concave to focus the image? Not sure I fully understand the physics of it, maybe a bit of a hunt on the internet is in order. Definitely something I'd like to have a go at making.

Phil, don't know if SWMBO would be too chuffed at me shelling out £200 notes so soon after the workshop refit, although that does look like a nice telescope.

Jenx, there's a lot of garbage about that Nibiru thing on Youtube. Looks like a pile of pants to me I'm sure there's others on here that know more about it than me. If you want to see something really freaky take a look at some of the HAARP videos on Youtube (using very low frequency radio waves to modify weather :shock: )

Neil, yep the Clandeboye Lodge is a great spot. Had a right few good nights in there.

 

[Sawdust]

Mike, that looks fantastic. That has really got me thinking. Does the mirror have to be concave to focus the image? Not sure I fully understand the physics of it, maybe a bit of a hunt on the internet is in order. Definitely something I'd like to have a go at making.
...

Thanks Dave,

Yes the mirror is concave to focus the incoming light towards the eyepiece. You then use different eyepieces to give different magnifications.

There is absolutely tons of information on the internet about telescope making. Some people even grind their own mirrors - not a bad idea as the ready made ones get really expensive as the diameter goes up.

If you are interested then please just ask and I'll be happy to help and point you in the right direction. Alternatively, just type amateur telescope making into Google and prepare yourself for a long read.

It's a fascinating subject and one of the most enjoyable (and difficult) things I have ever made.

Good luck
Mike

 

[Digit]

I ground my own mirror from a set of instructions in a magazine many years ago. The instructions started with, 'first obtain a 50 gallon drum!'.
Long winded task but very satisfying, the knowledge I accrued on the subject of optics got me my first job as a development engineer.
There used to be a company in the Edgware road in those days that sold ex WW2 lenses and other stuff that probably got quite a few amateurs started.
I also got the lens and plate holders for a wooden camera from them, alas they don't exist any more I think.

Roy.

 

[RogerS]

....

If you find yourself in Florence I can recommend the Gallilleo museum just over the river.
S

What? You mean the second person to map the moon?

 

[Digit]

That's the gentleman, like Columbus he had a good publicity agent! :lol:

Roy.

 

[Sawdust]

That's the gentleman, like Columbus he had a good publicity agent! :lol:

Roy.

I heard on the news this morning that the English guy was a 'very wealthy man who didn't want any publicity'. It made me wonder what he did for a living.

Mike

 

[Rich]

You could always combine two hobbies like I did and make one of these:

It's a 12" reflector on an alt-az mount. It can be assembled or disassembled in about 5 mins (in the dark) with no tools. When dismantled it all stores in its own box and will easily fit in the boot of a car

Clear skies
Mike

I, for one would be very much obliged if you could find the time to elaborate and explain how you made that and what it does and perhaps give some advice how I could make one.

Regards,

Rich.

 

[Sawdust]

You could always combine two hobbies like I did and make one of these:
It's a 12" reflector on an alt-az mount. It can be assembled or disassembled in about 5 mins (in the dark) with no tools. When dismantled it all stores in its own box and will easily fit in the boot of a car

Clear skies
Mike

I, for one would be very much obliged if you could find the time to elaborate and explain how you made that and what it does and perhaps give some advice how I could make one.

Regards,

Rich.

Rich,

I used to have a website which described the build step by step but I've changed ISPs and it's closed down now. Give me day or two and I'll republish it with my new ISP

Cheers
Mike

 

[Digit]

Harriot turned his hand to many things as he had a wealthy patron. I don't think he was independently wealthy as such.

Roy.

 

[Sawdust]

Harriot turned his hand to many things as he had a wealthy patron. I don't think he was independently wealthy as such.

Roy.

I've always been secretly jealous of people like him with a wealthy patron who were able to pursue their hobbies to that kind of level.

That said, all credit to Harriot for having such a hobby and achieving what he did. Such a shame though that he isn't recognised for it.

Mike

 

[Rich]

You could always combine two hobbies like I did and make one of these:
It's a 12" reflector on an alt-az mount. It can be assembled or disassembled in about 5 mins (in the dark) with no tools. When dismantled it all stores in its own box and will easily fit in the boot of a car

Clear skies
Mike

I, for one would be very much obliged if you could find the time to elaborate and explain how you made that and what it does and perhaps give some advice how I could make one.

Regards,

Rich.

Rich,

I used to have a website which described the build step by step but I've changed ISPs and it's closed down now. Give me day or two and I'll republish it with my new ISP

Cheers
Mike

Thanks for the reply Mike, I'll look forward to that.

Rich.(don't bust a gut mate, in your own very good time)

 

[Sawdust]

You could always combine two hobbies like I did and make one of these:
It's a 12" reflector on an alt-az mount. It can be assembled or disassembled in about 5 mins (in the dark) with no tools. When dismantled it all stores in its own box and will easily fit in the boot of a car

Clear skies
Mike

I, for one would be very much obliged if you could find the time to elaborate and explain how you made that and what it does and perhaps give some advice how I could make one.

Regards,

Rich.

Rich,

I used to have a website which described the build step by step but I've changed ISPs and it's closed down now. Give me day or two and I'll republish it with my new ISP

Cheers
Mike

Thanks for the reply Mike, I'll look forward to that.

Rich.(don't bust a gut mate, in your own very good time)

Rich,

I've uploaded my old website. Have a look here: http://www.avxq73.dsl.pipex.com/recreat ... ilding.htm

for more information about the build.

Cheers
Mike

 

[Rich]

Thanks for that link Mike, I'm much obliged.

Rich.