rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 38189
Loc: Phx, AZ
|
|
Is it too early to think of the All Arizona Star Party yet?
Put on by the good folks at the East Valley Astronomy Club aka EVAC. Their home page is here: http://www.eastvalleyastronomy.org/
--------------------
Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
Edited by rboe (04/07/08 07:24 PM)
|
Skylook123
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/30/05
Posts: 3871
Loc: Tucson, AZ
|
|
Never too early! I might even have the upper cage, azimuth teflon/ebony star, Telrad, and elevation encoder all fixed by then.
--------------------
Jim
A Bad Night With A Telescope
Beats A Good Night Doing Anything Else
Tectron 18" Truss Dob/Sky Commander DSCs, "Derrick"
Meade 10" LX-5 SCT/Atlas-G "Ol' Blue Eye"
Orion 90mm refractor,
Meade 10" Starfinder Newt/JMI NGCMax DSCs,
Celestron 10x50 Ultima Pro
|
rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 38189
Loc: Phx, AZ
|
|
If not, let me know and I'll bring clamps and glue. Fix that puppy right up in not time. Once the glue dries those little drops will pop right off your mirror. Especially with all that dust you have on it. 
--------------------
Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
|
cvedeler
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/20/05
Posts: 1243
Loc: Scottsdale, AZ
|
|
Wow! You guys don't waste any time.
--------------------
Chris Vedeler
Astro-Physics 160EDF
Astro-Physics 900GTO
Orion 80mm Guidescope
Canon EOS XT modified with Baader filter by Hap Griffin
Meade DSI Pro / Philips SPC900NC webcam
----------------------------
www.aznightsky.com
Scottsdale, AZ
|
Skylook123
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/30/05
Posts: 3871
Loc: Tucson, AZ
|
|
Quote:
If not, let me know and I'll bring clamps and glue. Fix that puppy right up in not time. Once the glue dries those little drops will pop right off your mirror. Especially with all that dust you have on it.
I figure I'll just blend those glue drips in place. If I had dust, I wouldn't have left those finger prints on the mirror.
I told Susan about the clamp fix, and she said "OOHH OOHH, Let Me Fix It." Told ya that's what would happen. The spouse whose favorite gifts come with warantee cards. She's picking up a couple of clamps, and a new Telrad, today. Should be ready for GCSP.
--------------------
Jim
A Bad Night With A Telescope
Beats A Good Night Doing Anything Else
Tectron 18" Truss Dob/Sky Commander DSCs, "Derrick"
Meade 10" LX-5 SCT/Atlas-G "Ol' Blue Eye"
Orion 90mm refractor,
Meade 10" Starfinder Newt/JMI NGCMax DSCs,
Celestron 10x50 Ultima Pro
|
desertstars
Say What?
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 28624
Loc: Tucson, AZ
|
|
Let's hope I don't run into the same schedule conflict as last year...
--------------------
Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
It is a plain road from the earth to the stars though mortal feet can not tread it. Garret P. Serviss 1888
|
rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 38189
Loc: Phx, AZ
|
|
For giggles I was set up last night and did the tour mode on the NS11 - I split more doubles and saw more objects in an hour than I did at the AAMM. Seeing was pretty darn good.
And that included time in mucky about with my collimation (where I proceeded to totally screw it up then get it back) but seeing or cooling problems prevents the perfect defraction image of a star so there may yet be work to do.
LP did prevent any good views of the faint fuzzies.
--------------------
Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
|
Skylook123
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/30/05
Posts: 3871
Loc: Tucson, AZ
|
|
Quote:
Let's hope I don't run into the same schedule conflict as last year...
Any chance you can influence the conflict?
--------------------
Jim
A Bad Night With A Telescope
Beats A Good Night Doing Anything Else
Tectron 18" Truss Dob/Sky Commander DSCs, "Derrick"
Meade 10" LX-5 SCT/Atlas-G "Ol' Blue Eye"
Orion 90mm refractor,
Meade 10" Starfinder Newt/JMI NGCMax DSCs,
Celestron 10x50 Ultima Pro
|
desertstars
Say What?
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 28624
Loc: Tucson, AZ
|
|
Quote:
Quote:
Let's hope I don't run into the same schedule conflict as last year...
Any chance you can influence the conflict?
Nope. The Heritage Event is something I don't willingly pass up. When it lands on the same weekend as AASP, I'll be missing in action at the star party. However, it is usually early in October, so it might work out, this year.
--------------------
Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
It is a plain road from the earth to the stars though mortal feet can not tread it. Garret P. Serviss 1888
|
rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 38189
Loc: Phx, AZ
|
|
The thought of Jim roasting up brauts at the last star party still has me drooling - we should do a tail gate party to kick things off.
--------------------
Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
|
Skylook123
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/30/05
Posts: 3871
Loc: Tucson, AZ
|
|
Roasting? Boiling. I used a 12V "lunch box cooker" on the truck's system. Throw two in a little foil loaf pan with just enough water to cover, plug it in. FORTY MINUTES later, warm enough to eat (30 minutes to heat up water for coffee or hot chocolate). My 17AH power tanks will each do two, maybe three cycles before dieing, so I use the truck. The cord is only about two feet long, though, so the passenger side floor becomes the cooktop.
Along with the brats I heated up a little side pan with some Hormel chili and threw it over the hot brats in a bowl with a load of 4 cheese mexican deli mix and a little knot of sour cream - now THAT was good eatin'. This year I used fat deli rolls, mustard, pickles, more of the cheese...best thing that happened Saturday night. But Ron was sacked out, getting ready for the early AM Jupiter watch.
Susan is lobbying for me to buy a portable microwave like my son uses in his electrical contracting field work. I did the numbers, and the 600W microwave on a 12V system pulls 50A - would have to run straight off the battery, or melt wires. Can't use my scope power tanks for that load.
Me, I think I'm roughing it when the motel has less than 60 TV channels. Farnsworth has a certain appeal to it - sort of Gulag with heat. Don't know if I'll keep up with the two-day tradition; too much overhead. Unless Tom/Ron/Scott/Chris/Kevin/Josh/etc. drop in for both nights; then it's worth the adventure. It's all in the people.
--------------------
Jim
A Bad Night With A Telescope
Beats A Good Night Doing Anything Else
Tectron 18" Truss Dob/Sky Commander DSCs, "Derrick"
Meade 10" LX-5 SCT/Atlas-G "Ol' Blue Eye"
Orion 90mm refractor,
Meade 10" Starfinder Newt/JMI NGCMax DSCs,
Celestron 10x50 Ultima Pro
Edited by Skylook123 (04/10/08 12:55 PM)
|
Skylook123
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/30/05
Posts: 3871
Loc: Tucson, AZ
|
|
Hey, Tom, what I meant was, can you influence the Heritage folks' selection of the date, or is it held in conjuction with a calendar event?
--------------------
Jim
A Bad Night With A Telescope
Beats A Good Night Doing Anything Else
Tectron 18" Truss Dob/Sky Commander DSCs, "Derrick"
Meade 10" LX-5 SCT/Atlas-G "Ol' Blue Eye"
Orion 90mm refractor,
Meade 10" Starfinder Newt/JMI NGCMax DSCs,
Celestron 10x50 Ultima Pro
|
rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 38189
Loc: Phx, AZ
|
|
We have a Coleman two burner camp stove that I've brought out once before. For a two nighter that would not be over kill. A small BBQ grill would work great too. Boiling is just not the right way to do brauts. 
Everything else sounds great. Add in chips and dip, some bottled root beer like they had last year and life is good.
We'd need better shade - and sooner. A good wind break.  Shoot, maybe I should just rent an RV. 
For a two dayer I'd need nap time and some company on a day hike. Hiking out in that desert alone is not too wise.
--------------------
Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
|
jhors
Riddle me this
Reged: 07/16/07
Posts: 720
Loc: Tempe, AZ
|
|
Quote:
We'd need better shade - and sooner. A good wind break. Shoot, maybe I should just rent an RV.
$400 (+deposit) for 3 days in a Cruise America Compact RV. Definitely something to consider. If it was more expensive it would be out of the question, any less and it would be a no-brainer.
Quote:
For a two dayer I'd need nap time and some company on a day hike. Hiking out in that desert alone is not too wise.
Sounds good to me. The AAMM got me thinking that bringing the mountain bike along next time would be fun as well.
--------------------
-Josh
Florence Junction:
Antenna:
Orion XT10, 10 x 50 Binos
Observing: Messiers, SAC's 110 Best of the NGC, AL Double Star Club
I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars -Walt Whitman
|
rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 38189
Loc: Phx, AZ
|
|
Makes me yearn for my old Samauri - I could tow it out there then go snooping. 
--------------------
Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
|
desertstars
Say What?
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 28624
Loc: Tucson, AZ
|
|
Quote:
Hey, Tom, what I meant was, can you influence the Heritage folks' selection of the date, or is it held in conjuction with a calendar event?
No, I don't have any connection with the group running the event.
--------------------
Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
It is a plain road from the earth to the stars though mortal feet can not tread it. Garret P. Serviss 1888
|
Skylook123
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/30/05
Posts: 3871
Loc: Tucson, AZ
|
|
Oh well, 'twas a thought.
--------------------
Jim
A Bad Night With A Telescope
Beats A Good Night Doing Anything Else
Tectron 18" Truss Dob/Sky Commander DSCs, "Derrick"
Meade 10" LX-5 SCT/Atlas-G "Ol' Blue Eye"
Orion 90mm refractor,
Meade 10" Starfinder Newt/JMI NGCMax DSCs,
Celestron 10x50 Ultima Pro
|
desertstars
Say What?
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 28624
Loc: Tucson, AZ
|
|
Two things that I really like to do fell on the same date last year. I hate making those sorts of decision. Since the Heritage Festival is generally the first weekend in October, this year's dates shouldn't be in conflict. Beyond that I won't go, 'cause they haven't announced the official dates yet. 
--------------------
Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
It is a plain road from the earth to the stars though mortal feet can not tread it. Garret P. Serviss 1888
|
rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 38189
Loc: Phx, AZ
|
|
Taken from my backyard last Friday with the NS11 and my DSLR.
Just to get this thread on track again.
--------------------
Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
|
square_peg
Postmaster
Reged: 03/26/04
Posts: 22854
Loc: Maple Valley, WA
|
|
Very good focus. 
--------------------
Tom (Pegster)
DSH-8 (GSO Dob)
15x70 Oberwerks
SVP 100 f/6 achro
WO 66 Petzval
Sears Discoverer EQ 60/900
8x42 Regals
History is Philosophy teaching by examples.
Thucydides
|
ArizonaScott
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/29/04
Posts: 4920
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
|
|
Quote:
The thought of Jim roasting up brauts at the last star party still has me drooling - we should do a tail gate party to kick things off.
Now we're talking! Cooking's my second favorite hobby. I'm pretty sure I could strap a small grill or something on top of the Scion! 
--------------------
Scott
10" LX200 Classic, Konus 200, Orion ST80, ETX90 OTA, 60mm Celestron alt-az, Obie 20x80's, Meade 10x50's
|
rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 38189
Loc: Phx, AZ
|
|
But could you keep it there? 
--------------------
Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
|
desertstars
Say What?
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 28624
Loc: Tucson, AZ
|
|
Put the grill in the car and the kids on top. They've got hands, they can hang on.
--------------------
Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
It is a plain road from the earth to the stars though mortal feet can not tread it. Garret P. Serviss 1888
|
desertstars
Say What?
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 28624
Loc: Tucson, AZ
|
|
Quote:
We'd need better shade - and sooner. A good wind break.
Shade won't be a problem if I'm able to attend. As for a windbreak, we could get something of that accomplished if we all park broadside to the wind. Circle the wagons, so to speak.
--------------------
Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
It is a plain road from the earth to the stars though mortal feet can not tread it. Garret P. Serviss 1888
|
Ziggy943
professor emeritus
Reged: 08/11/06
Posts: 701
Loc: SLC, UT
|
|
Quote:
A small BBQ grill would work great too. Boiling is just not the right way to do brauts.
Since "Braut" means "Bride", boiling is certainly NOT the way to do "Brauts"
--------------------
Siegfried
4" Mak
160mm F8 TEC (born 1-18-2007, 27 lbs, 45.5" long), on AP900
150mm F17.5 (D&G lens) (first light 6-7-2008)
9" F/14.8 Alvan Clark (1915), on Byers 812
14.25 F/5.5 Newt in a roll off observatory
Others, that have come and gone
|
Skylook123
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/30/05
Posts: 3871
Loc: Tucson, AZ
|
|
Hmmm...methinks that the term "bratwurst" has been somewhat corrupted! Not a good idea to boil, nor broil, yer "brauts" nor "brats", neither.
--------------------
Jim
A Bad Night With A Telescope
Beats A Good Night Doing Anything Else
Tectron 18" Truss Dob/Sky Commander DSCs, "Derrick"
Meade 10" LX-5 SCT/Atlas-G "Ol' Blue Eye"
Orion 90mm refractor,
Meade 10" Starfinder Newt/JMI NGCMax DSCs,
Celestron 10x50 Ultima Pro
|
desertstars
Say What?
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 28624
Loc: Tucson, AZ
|
|
Besides, they're better on the grill.
--------------------
Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
It is a plain road from the earth to the stars though mortal feet can not tread it. Garret P. Serviss 1888
|
desertstars
Say What?
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 28624
Loc: Tucson, AZ
|
|
The sausages, I mean.
Of course...
--------------------
Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
It is a plain road from the earth to the stars though mortal feet can not tread it. Garret P. Serviss 1888
|
rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 38189
Loc: Phx, AZ
|
|
Let's not be so hasty here. Hansel and Grettle may need to be updated. 
--------------------
Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
Post Extras:
| |
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
[Re: