Steven Aggas
sage
Reged: 04/15/08
Posts: 463
Loc: Arizona
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Hi, here is my website:
http://darkskyobserving.com/
I put it together as a source of more info for the upcoming article in the June '08 S&T, page 75. The article will be on me and my scopes I've built.
Let me know if you find any mispelld words...?
Thanks, Steven
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Mr. Wizard
Walking on a Dob: http://darkskyobserving.com/MtGraham.html
Elements in Harmony I, an 8"f6 German Equatorial - Stellafane Winner,
II a 20"f4.2 Newt-Dob - Astrofest Winner,
III a 6"f3.5 Finder/Newt-Dob, and
IV a 36"f4.5 Newt-Dob - "If it's up there, it's in here."
Apache-Sitgreaves Center for Astrophysics
www.DarkSkyObserving.com
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1965healey
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/23/07
Posts: 3134
Loc: San Antonio, TX
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OMG, those are awesome Dobs!    
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1965Healey (Karen)
Woodlawn Lake Observatory
Celestron CPC 800/FT MIcro/APT Wedge
SV NHNG 80mm #0261/CG5-GT
Celestron Omni 150 XLT
Losmandy rails/rings
Starizona CWeight system
Celestron Neximage
Sony a100 DSLR/ZigView S2
Meade DS60's w/Autostar (2)
Meade LPI/Meade DSI-C/DSI ProII
750cc Honda Shadow Spirit (Thanks Dad!)
1965 Austin Healey 3000 MKIII
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Steven Aggas
sage
Reged: 04/15/08
Posts: 463
Loc: Arizona
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Thank you 1965 Healy! I appreciate that....
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Mr. Wizard
Walking on a Dob: http://darkskyobserving.com/MtGraham.html
Elements in Harmony I, an 8"f6 German Equatorial - Stellafane Winner,
II a 20"f4.2 Newt-Dob - Astrofest Winner,
III a 6"f3.5 Finder/Newt-Dob, and
IV a 36"f4.5 Newt-Dob - "If it's up there, it's in here."
Apache-Sitgreaves Center for Astrophysics
www.DarkSkyObserving.com
|
john D
All you have to do is ask!!
Reged: 08/05/07
Posts: 5449
Loc: Midlothian, VA
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dude Steven, thats a very cool site! and awesome awesome scopes!
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Meade ETX-125
Meade LXD55 mount
Philips SPC900NC webcam
Some Accessories!
My Blog
 -Midlothian VA
--Land Of The Free Because Of The Brave--
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john D
All you have to do is ask!!
Reged: 08/05/07
Posts: 5449
Loc: Midlothian, VA
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hey Steven, what the hand gun for?  again sweeet scopes!
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Meade ETX-125
Meade LXD55 mount
Philips SPC900NC webcam
Some Accessories!
My Blog
-Midlothian VA
--Land Of The Free Because Of The Brave--
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Steven Aggas
sage
Reged: 04/15/08
Posts: 463
Loc: Arizona
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Quote:
hey Steven, what's the hand gun for? again sweeet scopes!
Hi John, thanks! The observing property borders the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest which is inhabited by Grey Wolf, Mountain Lion (Cougar), and Coyote.... When Wolves are 80 pounds and hunt in packs, or a Mountain Lion which can get to 150 pounds venture into the area, I'm gonna need some stopping power so I carry a .45.
One weekend I went observing by myself and that night found I was surrounded by Coyotes howling close by. A little creepy, but they're not so bad. I still tended to look at things close to the zenith at 8 to 10 feet up on the ladder, why tempt fate.
Just a few months ago while hiking in the NF, my wife and I found Wolf scat and track, so we know they are in the area.
Steven
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Mr. Wizard
Walking on a Dob: http://darkskyobserving.com/MtGraham.html
Elements in Harmony I, an 8"f6 German Equatorial - Stellafane Winner,
II a 20"f4.2 Newt-Dob - Astrofest Winner,
III a 6"f3.5 Finder/Newt-Dob, and
IV a 36"f4.5 Newt-Dob - "If it's up there, it's in here."
Apache-Sitgreaves Center for Astrophysics
www.DarkSkyObserving.com
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john D
All you have to do is ask!!
Reged: 08/05/07
Posts: 5449
Loc: Midlothian, VA
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Quote:
Quote:
hey Steven, what's the hand gun for? again sweeet scopes!
Hi John, thanks! The observing property borders the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest which is inhabited by Grey Wolf, Mountain Lion (Cougar), and Coyote.... When Wolves are 80 pounds and hunt in packs, or a Mountain Lion which can get to 150 pounds venture into the area, I'm gonna need some stopping power so I carry a .45.
One weekend I went observing by myself and that night found I was surrounded by Coyotes howling close by. A little creepy, but they're not so bad. I still tended to look at things close to the zenith at 8 to 10 feet up on the ladder, why tempt fate.
Just a few months ago while hiking in the NF, my wife and I found Wolf scat and track, so we know they are in the area.
Steven
sounds like an adventure Steven! keep the hand gun close i guess! 
and those scopes are sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet! i want one! 
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Meade ETX-125
Meade LXD55 mount
Philips SPC900NC webcam
Some Accessories!
My Blog
-Midlothian VA
--Land Of The Free Because Of The Brave--
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1965healey
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/23/07
Posts: 3134
Loc: San Antonio, TX
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I must be getting pretty jaded, I didn't even notice the .45 until someone mentioned it. My out in the wilderness sidearm is a 9mm Beretta Brigadeer 92FS. No wolves here in South Texas but plenty of snakes and wild hogs. 
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1965Healey (Karen)
Woodlawn Lake Observatory
Celestron CPC 800/FT MIcro/APT Wedge
SV NHNG 80mm #0261/CG5-GT
Celestron Omni 150 XLT
Losmandy rails/rings
Starizona CWeight system
Celestron Neximage
Sony a100 DSLR/ZigView S2
Meade DS60's w/Autostar (2)
Meade LPI/Meade DSI-C/DSI ProII
750cc Honda Shadow Spirit (Thanks Dad!)
1965 Austin Healey 3000 MKIII
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llanitedave
Humble Megalomaniac
Reged: 09/26/05
Posts: 12939
Loc: Amargosa Valley, NV, USA
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You wouldn't try to shoot a wild hog with a 9mm would you Karen? That just makes 'em mad!
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"Since the process of science generates more mysteries than it solves, I predict that we'll never learn everything: and we'll continue to generate new ignorance at the speed of knowledge."
"S.O.E." (Sauron's Other Eye), with 16" Royce conical mirror: A permanent work in progress.
10" Homebuilt dob, old Coulter mirror
Under Construction: The "Eye of Sauron" Observatory!
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llanitedave
Humble Megalomaniac
Reged: 09/26/05
Posts: 12939
Loc: Amargosa Valley, NV, USA
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Quote:
Let me know if you find any mispelld words...?
OK, I looked hard, and found maybe two.
The first is in the http://darkskyobserving.com/MirrorandCell.htmlin the caption for picture #12, the collimation motor enlargement. You use "tetter-totter" when you probably meant "teeter-totter".
The second is in the first caption of http://darkskyobserving.com/SecondaryCage.html. You used "three-quater" inch walnut for the focusing board.
I could spend hours gazing at those scopes and that setup. What a wonderful design! You deserve every award that you got, Steve!
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"Since the process of science generates more mysteries than it solves, I predict that we'll never learn everything: and we'll continue to generate new ignorance at the speed of knowledge."
"S.O.E." (Sauron's Other Eye), with 16" Royce conical mirror: A permanent work in progress.
10" Homebuilt dob, old Coulter mirror
Under Construction: The "Eye of Sauron" Observatory!
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1965healey
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/23/07
Posts: 3134
Loc: San Antonio, TX
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Quote:
You wouldn't try to shoot a wild hog with a 9mm would you Karen? That just makes 'em mad!
I don't really WANT to have to shoot anything. I carry it with me when I'm out shooting pictures at a friends ranch. They have a fairly large lake on their property and it's a stopping off place for alot of migratory birds, they also have a large herd of Axis deer that regularly come down to drink there. There are snakes and hogs as well. So far the hogs have kept their distance and I've managed to avoid stepping on any snakes. It's more of an insurance policy than anything else. With a little luck and a lot of caution it'll never leave the holster. Alot of practice keeps most rounds inside the ten ring so a hog will only be mad for a second or two if I can't out run him.  
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1965Healey (Karen)
Woodlawn Lake Observatory
Celestron CPC 800/FT MIcro/APT Wedge
SV NHNG 80mm #0261/CG5-GT
Celestron Omni 150 XLT
Losmandy rails/rings
Starizona CWeight system
Celestron Neximage
Sony a100 DSLR/ZigView S2
Meade DS60's w/Autostar (2)
Meade LPI/Meade DSI-C/DSI ProII
750cc Honda Shadow Spirit (Thanks Dad!)
1965 Austin Healey 3000 MKIII
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Steven Aggas
sage
Reged: 04/15/08
Posts: 463
Loc: Arizona
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Quote:
I could spend hours gazing at those scopes and that setup. What a wonderful design! You deserve every award that you got, Steve!
Thanks Dave! I've corrected both mistakes and really appreciate the compliments on the scope and setup, thank you.
Steven
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Mr. Wizard
Walking on a Dob: http://darkskyobserving.com/MtGraham.html
Elements in Harmony I, an 8"f6 German Equatorial - Stellafane Winner,
II a 20"f4.2 Newt-Dob - Astrofest Winner,
III a 6"f3.5 Finder/Newt-Dob, and
IV a 36"f4.5 Newt-Dob - "If it's up there, it's in here."
Apache-Sitgreaves Center for Astrophysics
www.DarkSkyObserving.com
|
llanitedave
Humble Megalomaniac
Reged: 09/26/05
Posts: 12939
Loc: Amargosa Valley, NV, USA
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Quote:
I don't really WANT to have to shoot anything. I carry it with me when I'm out shooting pictures at a friends ranch.
Ah, so the truth comes out. You're shooting pictures! I hope you're just shooting copies, and not the originals!
--------------------
"Since the process of science generates more mysteries than it solves, I predict that we'll never learn everything: and we'll continue to generate new ignorance at the speed of knowledge."
"S.O.E." (Sauron's Other Eye), with 16" Royce conical mirror: A permanent work in progress.
10" Homebuilt dob, old Coulter mirror
Under Construction: The "Eye of Sauron" Observatory!
|
john D
All you have to do is ask!!
Reged: 08/05/07
Posts: 5449
Loc: Midlothian, VA
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|
Quote:
Quote:
I don't really WANT to have to shoot anything. I carry it with me when I'm out shooting pictures at a friends ranch.
Ah, so the truth comes out. You're shooting pictures! I hope you're just shooting copies, and not the originals!
--------------------
Meade ETX-125
Meade LXD55 mount
Philips SPC900NC webcam
Some Accessories!
My Blog
-Midlothian VA
--Land Of The Free Because Of The Brave--
|
Steven Aggas
sage
Reged: 04/15/08
Posts: 463
Loc: Arizona
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With all this talk of wild pigs (Javelina I'm assuming, though they are not pigs), guess what I came face to face with?!? A 100 pound Boar Javelina Saturday morning not 20 feet away before we saw each other!
No worries though, by the time I slowly set down the can of stain to free up the shootin' hand, he must have been thinking kind thoughts because he spun around and ran off.
Wow, was he huge, with 3" tusks.... I turned the wild-cam 90 degrees to aim down that path he used. I've captured photos of his harem passing in front of the observatory, but never him.
Steven
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Mr. Wizard
Walking on a Dob: http://darkskyobserving.com/MtGraham.html
Elements in Harmony I, an 8"f6 German Equatorial - Stellafane Winner,
II a 20"f4.2 Newt-Dob - Astrofest Winner,
III a 6"f3.5 Finder/Newt-Dob, and
IV a 36"f4.5 Newt-Dob - "If it's up there, it's in here."
Apache-Sitgreaves Center for Astrophysics
www.DarkSkyObserving.com
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tk89123
super member
Reged: 03/13/07
Posts: 141
Loc: Las Vegas, NV
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Quote:
With all this talk of wild pigs (Javelina I'm assuming, though they are not pigs)
Texas has both Javelina and feral hogs but has far more feral hogs than Javelina. I carry a cap&ball .44 when I'm out at a dark site, but I'm usually there to hunt or fish too. In fact, I got re-interested in astronomy by hunting in northern Nevada where the sky was the darkest I've ever encountered. I looked up one night and said out loud "WOW, I REALLY CAN SEE THE MILKY WAY!"
I'd love to get a look thru one of those awesome Dob's you've got there! But the best I can manage is my 8" SCT.
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"My God, it's full of stars!"
Tom Kilgore
Las Vegas, NV
Meade 8" SCT 2080B
Orion 102mm Apex Mak
Meade 114mm F8 Newtonian
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Steven Aggas
sage
Reged: 04/15/08
Posts: 463
Loc: Arizona
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Hi Tom, interesting about the pigs. I found a map of Javelina density and Texas had far more area covered by high and medium density that AZ did. I checked my Wild-Cams again this last weekend, no picture of the ~100 pound Boar
Thanks for the compliment on the scopes. If any of you guys venture into AZ, try making an East Valley Astronomy Club meeting and say 'Hey'.
Steven
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Mr. Wizard
Walking on a Dob: http://darkskyobserving.com/MtGraham.html
Elements in Harmony I, an 8"f6 German Equatorial - Stellafane Winner,
II a 20"f4.2 Newt-Dob - Astrofest Winner,
III a 6"f3.5 Finder/Newt-Dob, and
IV a 36"f4.5 Newt-Dob - "If it's up there, it's in here."
Apache-Sitgreaves Center for Astrophysics
www.DarkSkyObserving.com
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Steven Aggas
sage
Reged: 04/15/08
Posts: 463
Loc: Arizona
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Hi everyone, I've updated my website to now include a memorial to a long time friend and astronomer, Kim Dyer, aka Mentor.
I was fortunate to have two mentors, one for scope building, the other for the science aspect of astronomy. Kim was all about the science.
Steven
http://darkskyobserving.com/News.html
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Mr. Wizard
Walking on a Dob: http://darkskyobserving.com/MtGraham.html
Elements in Harmony I, an 8"f6 German Equatorial - Stellafane Winner,
II a 20"f4.2 Newt-Dob - Astrofest Winner,
III a 6"f3.5 Finder/Newt-Dob, and
IV a 36"f4.5 Newt-Dob - "If it's up there, it's in here."
Apache-Sitgreaves Center for Astrophysics
www.DarkSkyObserving.com
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Steven Aggas
sage
Reged: 04/15/08
Posts: 463
Loc: Arizona
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The website is update to include a tour of the Mt. Graham Observatories including the Large Binocular Telescope.
I actually got to step *onto* the LBT and stand *next to* the 8.4 meter mirror that I stood *upon* when it was getting tested at the Steward Mirror Lab in Tucson. It was very cool seeing that mirror again....
http://darkskyobserving.com/ look for the Cool Roadtrips link and then 'Mt. Graham and the Large Binocular Telescope....'
Mr. Wizard
--------------------
Mr. Wizard
Walking on a Dob: http://darkskyobserving.com/MtGraham.html
Elements in Harmony I, an 8"f6 German Equatorial - Stellafane Winner,
II a 20"f4.2 Newt-Dob - Astrofest Winner,
III a 6"f3.5 Finder/Newt-Dob, and
IV a 36"f4.5 Newt-Dob - "If it's up there, it's in here."
Apache-Sitgreaves Center for Astrophysics
www.DarkSkyObserving.com
|
Steven Aggas
sage
Reged: 04/15/08
Posts: 463
Loc: Arizona
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The website is updated to show a link to a Letter to the Editor which is in Sky and Telescope, November issue, page 10, regarding splitting Pluto and Charon, and tracking down three other dwarf planets, Ceres, Makemake, and Haumea.
Steven
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Mr. Wizard
Walking on a Dob: http://darkskyobserving.com/MtGraham.html
Elements in Harmony I, an 8"f6 German Equatorial - Stellafane Winner,
II a 20"f4.2 Newt-Dob - Astrofest Winner,
III a 6"f3.5 Finder/Newt-Dob, and
IV a 36"f4.5 Newt-Dob - "If it's up there, it's in here."
Apache-Sitgreaves Center for Astrophysics
www.DarkSkyObserving.com
|
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