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Equipment Discussions >> Reflectors
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Mike Spooner
Vendor (mirrors)


Reged: 08/06/10

Re: New to me Lockwood/Starmaster 16.5" f/3.65 FX new [Re: Bob S.]
      #4945755 - 12/02/11 09:54 AM
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Hi Bob,
Looking forward to hearing about the scope in use. I love to view through big scopes but get a special kick out of small scopes in superb seeing conditions. Your posts about the Peach State SP viewing with the 12.5" Zambuto really highlight how rare these conditions exist.
BTW, with 4 or 5 Haboobs this year, my house may never be as clean as your garage!

Best,
--Mike Spooner

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Bob S.
Carpal Tunnel
*****

Reged: 07/14/05

Re: New to me Lockwood/Starmaster 16.5" f/3.65 FX new [Re: Mike Spooner]
      #4945878 - 12/02/11 11:05 AM
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Quote:

Hi Bob,
Looking forward to hearing about the scope in use. I love to view through big scopes but get a special kick out of small scopes in superb seeing conditions. Your posts about the Peach State SP viewing with the 12.5" Zambuto really highlight how rare these conditions exist.
BTW, with 4 or 5 Haboobs this year, my house may never be as clean as your garage!

Best,
--Mike Spooner



Mike, Seeing albedo markings on Ganymede and Callisto with a 12.5" telescopes was amazing. Thank goodness I had a bunch of witnesses or otherwise I would be doubting my own experience

I looked up haboob and realize that I was in one back about 5 years ago when I was headed to see Gary Myers in Sierra Vista, AZ. I could not see more than about 10-15 feet in front of the car if even that much. Got caught somewhere near Tucson on the Interstate. It was an amazing dust storm that must have been at least 5 miles wide?

I see that you continue to make fabulous small and some large mirrors. My best astrobud Demetry is excited about you doing his 12" quartz mirror.
Bob

Edited by Bob S. (12/02/11 12:49 PM)

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GeneT
Ely Kid
*****

Reged: 11/07/08

Loc: South Texas
Re: New to me Lockwood/Starmaster 16.5" f/3.65 FX new [Re: Bob S.]
      #4946341 - 12/02/11 03:42 PM
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Quote:

Gene, If you think the garage floor is clean, you ought to see the inside of the house. When our builder finished it 3 years ago and was told was expected of him in terms of a specialized cleaning crew, he commented that the house was cleaner than an operating room My wife likes things super clean and we have no kids and a small bird. I use a late model Honda Pilot to transport the scope with great ease. The rockerbox/ground board is designed to fit upside down over the mirror transport box. That just leaves the mirror box/trunions and the UTA along with the wheelbarrow handles. It is a very tidy scope. Bob



My bride is also a neat-nick, especially when company visits. I almost bought a Honda Pilot to haul my telescope, but decided a CRV would be enough for a 12.5 inch Portaball.

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SkyRanger
super member
*****

Reged: 10/21/10

Loc: Natural Bridges National Monum...
Re: New to me Lockwood/Starmaster 16.5" f/3.65 FX new [Re: GeneT]
      #4947642 - 12/03/11 10:29 AM
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We have the same scope here at Natural Bridges National Monument. We use it for our public astronomy programs and it never ceases to wow the public and its chief operator (me!). It's wonderful having an outreach scope that does not need a ladder for most folks.

I am planning on installing a set of Floyd Blue fans in the 16.5 to see if I think it improves the view. I do use a small box fan to aid cooling when I roll it out and sometimes the public is waiting for me before I can even get the wheels off.

BTW: Our scope was paid for by a grant from our bookstore, the Canyonlands Natural History Association. All of the bookstore profits go into educational activities in the parks.

Gordon G

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Bob S.
Carpal Tunnel
*****

Reged: 07/14/05

Re: New to me Lockwood/Starmaster 16.5" f/3.65 FX new [Re: SkyRanger]
      #4947825 - 12/03/11 12:03 PM
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Gordon, I tried to ride my motorcycle out your way last Spring but bad weather that week and some other constraints postponed the trip. I was really looking forward to viewing with you in those super dark skies with the FX. Maybe next Spring I will make the ride. I was also going to do a bunch of Powered Parchute flying with a buddy of mine who has a PP in Bluff, UT which is not far from you all. I remember that Rick was kind of excited to deliver that to your beautiful park. Glad the public and you are getting so much enjoyment out of the scope. They are very sweet scopes as you already know. Bob Schilling

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saleratus
member


Reged: 05/06/09

Loc: Dorset (UK) & Utah
Re: New to me Lockwood/Starmaster 16.5" f/3.65 FX new [Re: Bob S.]
      #4988239 - 12/28/11 10:39 AM
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Hi Gordon, I'm your neighbor about 40 miles to the NE, at the Saleratus Ranch, just SW of Mount Linneaus--and I ALSO have a 16.5FX. Considering that nobody lives in all the country between us, this must be the highest density of 16.5FXs in the world! I'll stop by and say hi sometime.

Will Petty

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Bob S.
Carpal Tunnel
*****

Reged: 07/14/05

Re: New to me Lockwood/Starmaster 16.5" f/3.65 FX new [Re: saleratus]
      #4989069 - 12/28/11 08:08 PM
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What is the probability of a 16.5" FX glut in the middle of nowhere (said lovingly and jealously for your dark skies) Utah??? Bob

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SkyRanger
super member
*****

Reged: 10/21/10

Loc: Natural Bridges National Monum...
Re: New to me Lockwood/Starmaster 16.5" f/3.65 FX new [Re: saleratus]
      #4989274 - 12/28/11 10:59 PM
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Wow! Who would have thunk it? I thought I was in a remote location, but I think you are definitely further from the pavement than I am!

Come by Natural Bridges and see us anytime!

Gordon

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