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Mike Loffland
Web Guru (Astronomics)
Reged: 09/03/04
Posts: 2080
Loc: Norman, Oklahoma
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The Best Views of the Universe are from our Backyards
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Steve Darden
sage
Reged: 07/29/07
Posts: 213
Loc: Woodstock, GA
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Nice! Very Nice!
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Orion XT10 with Moonlite focuser
Orion Starmax 127 Mak
Orion 80ed with Moonlite focuser
Too little free time
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bcuddihee
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/04/06
Posts: 1401
Loc: Cincinnati Ohio
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Tom, you have a talent for writing that is rare. I could visualize in my minds eye everything you were saying. A fantastic read and a real tribute to what is readily available to us...our own backyards. Thanks,
bc
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B Cuddihee
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1968 Jason Empire 60X700mm refractor (my buddy from way back)
Celestron Nexstar8SE aka "The Bumblebee",(there is no way this scope should perform as well as it does...but it does)
Feathertouch Microfocuser
Stellarvue 50mm "Sparrowhawk" finder
Denk bino's with Power x switch
Pair of Smart Astronomy 19 EF's (great ep's for binos)
Pair of Edmund 28 plossls
Pair of Edmund 28 RKE'S
Pair of tv 20mm plossls
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Bonco
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/17/06
Posts: 2297
Loc: Florida
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Perhaps the best article on the subject I've ever read. So many salient points I've thought of for years but never knew how to express. He's spot on and it's an important perspective. I so much love my backyard or dark sky views that show a realistic optical experience not tainted with enhancements or animation. Using bino's or a quality scope you witness what the human eye can percieve and appreciate. Put my 4 inch f/5 or my 20 by 80 bino's on the star clouds of the southern milkyway and it almost a religious experience. Loved the article. Thanks, Bill
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RV6
Meade 2045
6 inch f/4 RFT R. Fagin Optics
TV Genesis
2.4 inch Lafayette Equitorial
3 inch Polarex/Unitron Equitorial
10 inch Zhumell
PST 40mm Solar scope
4 inch F/15 Antares
2.4 inch Unitron Equitorial
Tasco 10K 80mm/1200mm
Towa 339 Restored
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Chris Greene
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/04/05
Posts: 535
Loc: Dark Sky, Idaho
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I sometimes think amateurs are the real soul of astronomy. Great article.
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Tele Vue Pronto/Telepod
Tele Vue NP-101/Gibraltar/Sky Tour
Questar 3.5 Standard
Celestron FS 80 EQ WA
Canon 10x30 IS binoculars
Nikon SE 8x32 binoculars
Zeiss Victory 10x25 binoculars
Garrett 25x100 IF binoculars
Manfrotto 475B/501
TV and Pentax ep's
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edwincjones
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 5662
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Most of us will never see the sky as we really wish, with the darkest skies and the biggest glass; so we are limited.
Maybe I could go to really dark skies a few weeks a year, but I can go in my yard almost daily.
edj
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n w arkansas
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cloudmagnet
member
Reged: 12/04/08
Posts: 34
Loc: Georgetown, Texas
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To quote Bonco: "Perhaps the best article on the subject I've ever read. So many salient points..." My feelings exactly. I have put together a modest "slideshow" on my laptop that I have used when making a presentation to groups- Rotary, school classrooms, etc. The photos of the planets, and various Messier objects were all taken by a myself and a friend (the good ones) from our urban backyards. But before I begin the slideshow, I explain that these are photos taken with special cameras, sometimes over long periods of time, and that they don't at all represent what is seen at the eyepiece of even the best 'scopes. Many times at public star parties, people are surprised- even disappointed- when they are shown M32, M13, etc. and don't see the vivid colors or details they've seen in magazines. I've always maintained that the two greatest obstacles to keeping folks interested in astronomy are: glossy magazine (enhanced) photos and that geek on HSN that pushes those cheap 2.5" refractors that will "magnify the moon 637 times!!!"
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hfjacinto
Almost got me
Reged: 01/12/09
Posts: 2080
Loc: Union,NJ
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Great article, first post in this topic, but since the article was so enjoyable, I had to post. Sent it as a link to several friends that complain about NJ seeing.
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C9.25 ASGT 9*50 MM Finder,FT Focuser & 2" Diagonal
Meade LXD 75 6 Inch SNT w 9*50 MM Finder
5,6,9,14.5 MM Zhummel Planetary EPs
13,17,21,24,31,36 MM Baader Hyperion
6.7,8.8 MM Meade UWA & 11 MM Nagler T6
Planetary, OIII and Narrowband Filters
Thousand Oaks Dew Control w Kendrick Heaters
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earthbot1
super member
Reged: 08/27/09
Posts: 172
Loc: Central Virginia
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Well done!Puts it in perscpective!
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Nexstar 8
Meade/Celestron EPs
Bushnell 90mm Mak-Cass
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