Telescopes (who has them?)

JustinL · 09-10-2007, 05:16 PM

Went out playing with my telescope the other day. My dad built the thing from scratch. Tube is a 8" diameter PVC pipe. Only thing he bought for it was the eye pieces, the mirror and mirror base were given to him. We didn't see too much, was able to pick up Jupiter and 4 of its moons. Through the telescope, you can see the stripes, but I didn't have the adapter yet. Bad picture, but its just with my Fuji sitting on a car as a base. Better pictures next time hopefully. Also, this is the reason I am looking for a laptop with a serial port. I am hoping to make this telescope computer controlled and guided.

I know a few other people here have telescope, so post up what you have.

Torx · 09-10-2007, 05:30 PM

sweet, whats it gonna take to get more detailed pictures?
*waits for whiskas to chime in*

JustinL · 09-10-2007, 05:42 PM

about 60 bucks in adapters. My dad is making another telescope (as in grinding the mirror), it has an 8" mirror (this one is 6"). Hopefully I'll be able to transfer the controls over to it when/if he finishes it.

MSP · 09-10-2007, 06:01 PM

C'mon Wiskas, your PC powered setup owns this thread! Although that is a nice looking setup JustinL. I call a cage match! Two telescopes enter, one telescope leaves.

JustinL · 09-10-2007, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSP

C'mon Wiskas, your PC powered setup owns this thread! Although that is a nice looking setup JustinL. I call a cage match! Two telescopes enter, one telescope leaves.

mine definitely has the value aspect beat.... maybe 75 bucks in material (not including eyepieces)

namelessentity · 09-10-2007, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustinL

mine definitely has the value aspect beat.... maybe 75 bucks in material (not including eyepieces)

I'm pretty sure you need to include lenses in the price, you know, them being integral and all.

mistawiskas · 09-10-2007, 06:56 PM

Wow, I want to make either an 8" or 10" dobsonian. The neighbors just cut down a bunch of trees and I now have a clear shot at jupiter around 8:30 to 9PM now. it's dark enough early enough to start setting up on the new sidewalk I just poured. The back deck is just too shakey....I can see my heart beat in the images. I just got done getting my power supply all charged up for a settup perhaps tonight! What eyepiece were you using on that image? A good 12-20mm with a polarizing #3 filter may sharpen the scene a bit.
check these pages out:
from
The primary mirrors and spiders can cost quite a bit:
"Astronomy" Telescopes, Dobsonian Kits, Telescope Mirrors, Parts
BBAstroDesigns

JustinL · 09-10-2007, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by namelessentity

I'm pretty sure you need to include lenses in the price, you know, them being integral and all.

ok, which one? The 40mm, the 15mm or the 9mm, should I include the doubler as well? Its not like all telescope come with all of the eye pieces available for them

No eyepeice, just setting my camera on a friends car and letting it go. I just set it to night mode, was like a 4-5 second exposure (at 2816x2120). I need about 60 bucks for the T adapter etc
http://dpnow.com/images/archives/fuji%20s5000.jpg

My dad actually built the focuser and spider for this. I am trying to get him to finish up the 8" mirror, but he has lost interest. He was to the point of polishing it with rouge (yes, he ground the mirror by hand).

mistawiskas · 09-10-2007, 07:20 PM

That's admirable, a true entheusiast for sure. i think i'm just going to shop around for a cheepo 10" primary and buy a spider/secondary though.
i thought about getting a 12" sono tube abd laminating it with fibreglass for the tube and I've already got a 1 1/2
' focuser, but may opt for a 2" and 2" eyepieces. OR.....if i get a ggood enough year-end bonus, buy a schmidt-cassagrain in the 8" range.

smirnoff · 09-10-2007, 08:06 PM

Wow, +1 nerd strength for you guys. I had no idea people were out there making their own telescopes, and here I am thinking you just buy 'em.

JustinL · 09-10-2007, 08:17 PM

do you have a solar filter for yours? its real neat looking at sunspots. I would definitely get one if you can. Know of any good DIY astronomy forums?

JustinL · 09-10-2007, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smirnoff

Wow, +1 nerd strength for you guys. I had no idea people were out there making their own telescopes, and here I am thinking you just buy 'em.

if we get +1 nerd strength, what does this guy get??

Observatory for a C14

EDIT: heres the full res uncropped picture of Jupiter
http://aloader.com/files/17/DSCF1240.JPG

caniacpack · 09-10-2007, 09:10 PM

i don't know what was harder, building that backyard observatory or taking that many pictures and posting them

i'm really lazy when it comes to that documentation stuff...

smirnoff · 09-10-2007, 09:20 PM

Wow. That guy sure knows what he's doing! And that plasma milling machine? That thing would be pretty fricken cool to work with. I don't think I've ever seen a cooler completed DIY project. Brilliant

mistawiskas · 09-10-2007, 09:24 PM

i want!
just got in from watching jupiter for an hour. cooooo friggin L! I got fairly good seeing being right dab in the miuddle of the city lights, out of town i would have seen some detail. Four moons clear as a bell, with a 12.5mm and a light blue #82A filter. My video eyepiece took a dump and wouldn't give me any picture on my haupauge. now I have to buy a planetary CCD.

randomtask · 09-11-2007, 06:11 AM

i lol'ed @ the positioning of the scope in the 1st pic... ahhh i am so childish

Goofus Maximus · 09-11-2007, 08:46 AM

I've got an unusably astigmatic 6" F8 apochromatic refracting telescope, with no idea how to get it fixed. It totally sux! Before it was dropped, it gave images that rivaled 13" reflectors, because of the unobstructed light path and high-contrast. I nabbed a bunch of Messier objects despite the light-polluted area I live in.

Now all you can see are crosses instead of stars.

Torx · 09-11-2007, 10:28 AM

seriously, dude has a plasma cutting machine in his garage.
damn, and his little observatory rocks

im surprised the goberment hasnt harassed him, thinking hes building some top off laser gun to blow up the moon.

Goofus Maximus · 09-11-2007, 05:33 PM

Nah! Laser guns aren't for blowing up the moon; they're for WRITING YOUR NAME on the moon!

mistawiskas · 09-11-2007, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustinL

do you have a solar filter for yours? its real neat looking at sunspots. I would definitely get one if you can. Know of any good DIY astronomy forums?

Solar is my next project. I found a decent filter for 119 bux. I check these links out for info, there are lots around but I'm not sure about forums.
The Sidewalk Astronomers, San Francisco Where can I find a good CCD imager? And a lappy with a serial port? 500 Mhz would be great so long as there's minimum 512 Mb ram and 40 gig HDD.

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09-10-2007, 05:16 PM	permanent link to #1 (permalink)
JustinL Tweak Minion Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,604 (# ) My photos: 1	Went out playing with my telescope the other day. My dad built the thing from scratch. Tube is a 8" diameter PVC pipe. Only thing he bought for it was the eye pieces, the mirror and mirror base were given to him. We didn't see too much, was able to pick up Jupiter and 4 of its moons. Through the telescope, you can see the stripes, but I didn't have the adapter yet. Bad picture, but its just with my Fuji sitting on a car as a base. Better pictures next time hopefully. Also, this is the reason I am looking for a laptop with a serial port. I am hoping to make this telescope computer controlled and guided. I know a few other people here have telescope, so post up what you have.
	Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch , Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote. -Benjamin Franklin

Yesterday, 05:30 PM	#2
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09-10-2007, 05:42 PM	permanent link to #3 (permalink)
JustinL Tweak Minion Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,604 (# ) My photos: 1	about 60 bucks in adapters. My dad is making another telescope (as in grinding the mirror), it has an 8" mirror (this one is 6"). Hopefully I'll be able to transfer the controls over to it when/if he finishes it.
	Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch , Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote. -Benjamin Franklin

09-10-2007, 06:56 PM	permanent link to #7 (permalink)
mistawiskas outside the box! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Grants Pass, Oregon Posts: 16,552 (# ) My photos: 276	Wow, I want to make either an 8" or 10" dobsonian. The neighbors just cut down a bunch of trees and I now have a clear shot at jupiter around 8:30 to 9PM now. it's dark enough early enough to start setting up on the new sidewalk I just poured. The back deck is just too shakey....I can see my heart beat in the images. I just got done getting my power supply all charged up for a settup perhaps tonight! What eyepiece were you using on that image? A good 12-20mm with a polarizing #3 filter may sharpen the scene a bit. check these pages out: from The primary mirrors and spiders can cost quite a bit: "Astronomy" Telescopes, Dobsonian Kits, Telescope Mirrors, Parts BBAstroDesigns Last edited by mistawiskas; 09-10-2007 at 06:58 PM..
	"You'd be amazed how little you can get by on, when you want your needs, rather than need your wants" mw

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09-10-2007, 05:30 PM	permanent link to #2 (permalink)
Torx Indigenous Nudist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Memphis Posts: 10,918 (# ) My photos: 158	sweet, whats it gonna take to get more detailed pictures? waits for whiskas to chime in

09-10-2007, 06:01 PM	permanent link to #4 (permalink)
MSP Globe Trekker Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 20,419 (# ) My photos: 264	C'mon Wiskas, your PC powered setup owns this thread! Although that is a nice looking setup JustinL. I call a cage match! Two telescopes enter, one telescope leaves.

09-10-2007, 07:20 PM	permanent link to #9 (permalink)
mistawiskas outside the box! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Grants Pass, Oregon Posts: 16,552 (# ) My photos: 276	That's admirable, a true entheusiast for sure. i think i'm just going to shop around for a cheepo 10" primary and buy a spider/secondary though. i thought about getting a 12" sono tube abd laminating it with fibreglass for the tube and I've already got a 1 1/2 ' focuser, but may opt for a 2" and 2" eyepieces. OR.....if i get a ggood enough year-end bonus, buy a schmidt-cassagrain in the 8" range.
	"You'd be amazed how little you can get by on, when you want your needs, rather than need your wants" mw

09-10-2007, 08:06 PM	permanent link to #10 (permalink)
smirnoff Curmudgeon Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 3,515 (# ) My photos: 68	Wow, +1 nerd strength for you guys. I had no idea people were out there making their own telescopes, and here I am thinking you just buy 'em.

09-10-2007, 08:17 PM	permanent link to #11 (permalink)
JustinL Tweak Minion Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,604 (# ) My photos: 1	do you have a solar filter for yours? its real neat looking at sunspots. I would definitely get one if you can. Know of any good DIY astronomy forums?
	Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch , Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote. -Benjamin Franklin

09-10-2007, 09:10 PM	permanent link to #13 (permalink)
caniacpack Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 108 (# ) My photos: 0	i don't know what was harder, building that backyard observatory or taking that many pictures and posting them i'm really lazy when it comes to that documentation stuff...

09-10-2007, 09:20 PM	permanent link to #14 (permalink)
smirnoff Curmudgeon Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 3,515 (# ) My photos: 68	Wow. That guy sure knows what he's doing! And that plasma milling machine? That thing would be pretty fricken cool to work with. I don't think I've ever seen a cooler completed DIY project. Brilliant

09-10-2007, 09:24 PM	permanent link to #15 (permalink)
mistawiskas outside the box! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Grants Pass, Oregon Posts: 16,552 (# ) My photos: 276	i want! just got in from watching jupiter for an hour. cooooo friggin L! I got fairly good seeing being right dab in the miuddle of the city lights, out of town i would have seen some detail. Four moons clear as a bell, with a 12.5mm and a light blue #82A filter. My video eyepiece took a dump and wouldn't give me any picture on my haupauge. now I have to buy a planetary CCD.
	"You'd be amazed how little you can get by on, when you want your needs, rather than need your wants" mw

09-11-2007, 06:11 AM	permanent link to #16 (permalink)
randomtask Chimp. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: australia Posts: 2,089 (# ) My photos: 31	i lol'ed @ the positioning of the scope in the 1st pic... ahhh i am so childish

09-11-2007, 05:33 PM	permanent link to #19 (permalink)
Goofus Maximus Too old to be this dumb! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: St. Louis area, but in Illinois Posts: 3,342 (# ) My photos: 29	Nah! Laser guns aren't for blowing up the moon; they're for WRITING YOUR NAME on the moon!
	M7NCD Pro Barton 3000+ @426fsb/2.23ghz 1 Gig Kingston HyperX PC3200 dual mode@426mhz Western Digital 80Gig HD Samsung DVD+/-RW T.B. Santa Cruz EVGA 7600 GS AGP XP Home SP3

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09-11-2007, 08:46 AM	permanent link to #17 (permalink)
Goofus Maximus Too old to be this dumb! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: St. Louis area, but in Illinois Posts: 3,342 (# ) My photos: 29	I've got an unusably astigmatic 6" F8 apochromatic refracting telescope, with no idea how to get it fixed. It totally sux! Before it was dropped, it gave images that rivaled 13" reflectors, because of the unobstructed light path and high-contrast. I nabbed a bunch of Messier objects despite the light-polluted area I live in. Now all you can see are crosses instead of stars.
	M7NCD Pro Barton 3000+ @426fsb/2.23ghz 1 Gig Kingston HyperX PC3200 dual mode@426mhz Western Digital 80Gig HD Samsung DVD+/-RW T.B. Santa Cruz EVGA 7600 GS AGP XP Home SP3

09-11-2007, 10:28 AM	permanent link to #18 (permalink)
Torx Indigenous Nudist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Memphis Posts: 10,918 (# ) My photos: 158	seriously, dude has a plasma cutting machine in his garage. damn, and his little observatory rocks im surprised the goberment hasnt harassed him, thinking hes building some top off laser gun to blow up the moon. Last edited by Torx; 09-11-2007 at 10:30 AM..