Astronomy Buffs

[jayseejay]

Just like Airstreams, there can be benefit in buying scopes and astronomy gear that has been gently used. Most amateur astronomers take excellent care of their equipment. The best place to find used astronomy equipment is AstroMart.com. I'm not affiliated, but have bought and sold hundreds of items there. Regards, Joe


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[RVDreamer]

Originally Posted by Ahab

Williams Optics WO 71 ED.

No, not in the same class as a Televue APO, just ED glass not true 1/4 wave apochromatic like the Televue.

I doubt you can do better than Televue glass and optic designs from Al Nagler.

However an expensive apochromatic may not be your best option. A lot depends on what you want to do. If you just want to star gaze, then astro-binoculars are a better choice. If you want to do astrophotography then you will need to spend more money on the mount. Mounts are most important for photography.

If you don't care about portability and astrophotography then a dobsonian reflector is your best bang for the buck.

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by RVDreamer

No, not in the same class as a Televue APO, just ED glass not true 1/4 wave apochromatic like the Televue.

I doubt you can do better than Televue glass and optic designs from Al Nagler.

However an expensive apochromatic may not be your best option. A lot depends on what you want to do. If you just want to star gaze, then astro-binoculars are a better choice. If you want to do astrophotography then you will need to spend more money on the mount. Mounts are most important for photography.

If you don't care about portability and astrophotography then a dobsonian reflector is your best bang for the buck.

Having compared a Televue TV76 with the WO 71 ED at a star party made me choose the WO. Definetly the same or slightly better view.

[IanPoulin]

not to tangent too badly off of equipment, my thoughts turned to red filters on our puck lights and the best way to go about it...

I know how to remove the puck light holder to get at the lens -- I am curious as to how soon, doing that regularly (3+ x a month,) would I wear out the brackets. Has anyone done this routinely to prep their TT for star parties or private viewing nights? Any suggestions where to find either pre-made red puck lenses or a suitable material (guessing simply red film and wrap the existing lens, hoping the LEDs don't produce enough heat to melt or burn the result...)

The "wall sconce" lamps I can just get straight forward red LEDs for and change those out on demand. Indeed, it may be easiest to do that, and maybe the stove fan light as well and call it that, not turning any other lights on during the viewing schedule... maybe a red nightlight in the bathroom.

Finally, anyone go so far as to install LEDs and switches capable of producing a variable color spectrum? Ultimately that would seem best; that for star parties I can do pure red throughout the TT, for other times pure/soft white as needed and in the post-sunset light with absence of blue to not throw off my diurnal rhythms...

cheers, thanks,

Ian

[RVDreamer]

Originally Posted by Ahab

Having compared a Televue TV76 with the WO 71 ED at a star party made me choose the WO. Definetly the same or slightly better view.

For visual you might not see that big of a difference (depends on your vision).

However if you do any astrophotography, you will immediately see the difference. ED glass in a refractor is not a true apochromatic refractor. Only a true apochromatic refractor will bring different wavelengths of light into focus.

If your eyes are color sensitive you will see purple & yellow fringes of color around bright objects. Cameras will pick up even more color fringing.

The added cost of the Televue is due to it being much more complex to create a true apochromatic lens. All EDs will be cheaper.

This has nothing to do with Televue vs Williams vs AstroPhysics vs Celestron.
This has to do with Apochromatic lens vs non-apochromatic lens.

[tyggeln]

Originally Posted by IanPoulin

not to tangent too badly off of equipment, my thoughts turned to red filters on our puck lights and the best way to go about it...

I know how to remove the puck light holder to get at the lens -- I am curious as to how soon, doing that regularly (3+ x a month,) would I wear out the brackets. Has anyone done this routinely to prep their TT for star parties or private viewing nights? Any suggestions where to find either pre-made red puck lenses or a suitable material (guessing simply red film and wrap the existing lens, hoping the LEDs don't produce enough heat to melt or burn the result...)

The "wall sconce" lamps I can just get straight forward red LEDs for and change those out on demand. Indeed, it may be easiest to do that, and maybe the stove fan light as well and call it that, not turning any other lights on during the viewing schedule... maybe a red nightlight in the bathroom.

Finally, anyone go so far as to install LEDs and switches capable of producing a variable color spectrum? Ultimately that would seem best; that for star parties I can do pure red throughout the TT, for other times pure/soft white as needed and in the post-sunset light with absence of blue to not throw off my diurnal rhythms...

cheers, thanks,

Ian

Ian, I think you don't need to convert very many lights, and there are enough on the TT to allow for both white and red. My practice is not to continually replace the lights, but put red filters into the reading lights only. if I need to use the table I would use a red flashlight. I don't have LEDs, but they have not got too hot - the original lens I think is plastic anyway.

As for lighting, I use a red LED variable light form Orion, and for the red filter material I use SOLYX: SXP-RC300 Medical from decorative films. 1x or 2x thickness and you have an awesome dark adaption saving light level.

Bathroom - I guess you bring a red flashlight.

[Royce]

Sometimes the search feature does work! I was wondering how many astronomers armature or professional there might be on the forums. Been wanting to get a good scope for a long time but cash and time just didn't justify a purchase. Then I find that good Dobsonians are now available at a reasonable price and I do have the time to camp in the dark areas sometimes! After spending days on the web looking at scope reviews and recommendations, lots of good reviews here http://www.scopereviews.com/ I made a purchase. Bought a Zhumell Z12, it should be here today.

[IanPoulin]

Wow -- solid tube -- THAT's going to take up some truck bed space . One reason I go with a truss system; stores compact. BUT -- that is a VERY nice price on a scope. Are you going to drop it onto an equatorial mount at some point for drive tracking?

[BoldAdventure]

Wow nice!