kwalker
sage
Reged: 08/22/06
Posts: 293
Loc: Oklahoma City, OK
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Dell Axim and pocket stars
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Keith
Zhumell 10" dobsonian with $12 "Push-To"
4mm & 9mm BO/TMB Planetary, 13mm Stratus, 17mm Stratus, 32mm Widefield
Orion shorty plus 2x barlow
Catseye Xl Triple Pro Pack
Glatter Laser
Celestron 15x70
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csa/montana
Wild Spirit
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 40112
Loc: montana
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I second Pocket Stars, great program!
pocket stars
Carol
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Pentaxes; 5XW, 7XL, 10XW.
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
TV Panoptics; 22, 35
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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alanon
Nobody tells me anything
Reged: 06/29/07
Posts: 2549
Loc: Las Vegas
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Hi philip,
Have you tried Google Earth?
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Alanon the Wizard (a literary character, not the organization)
Dan
12.5" Obsession #1531
WO 98mm FLT (aluminum tube)
WO ZenithStarII 80mm ED
Coronado PST Ha
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kwalker
sage
Reged: 08/22/06
Posts: 293
Loc: Oklahoma City, OK
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I added so more viewing locations in my pocket stars program from Google Earth. It seems to be very accurate. I placed it on my house and it came up with the exact same lat & long. Best of all its free. I not for sure about this though, but do you have to have an active internet connection for google to work right?
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Keith
Zhumell 10" dobsonian with $12 "Push-To"
4mm & 9mm BO/TMB Planetary, 13mm Stratus, 17mm Stratus, 32mm Widefield
Orion shorty plus 2x barlow
Catseye Xl Triple Pro Pack
Glatter Laser
Celestron 15x70
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astrasouth
member
Reged: 07/11/07
Posts: 17
Loc: NC
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Quote:
I have a dob modified with and azimuth circle and Wixey digital inclinometer. I travel to different viewing areas in New England, and I need a program to give accurate latitude and longtitude.
Any suggestions?
thanks, Phil
Hi I suggest using Google Earth. I find my location and at the bottom of the screen-- giving the coordinates of lat/long.
For the most accuracy, consider that these readings are in degrees-minutes-seconds format. Therefore, I convert these readings to a decimal format. For example if the reading is 78-degree 36' I'll divide 36/60 to get 0.6. So I'll type in the computer 78.6 degrees. I usually leave seconds alone because it's close enough from my experience to convert minutes only.
Again, I've noticed that the more precise the "spherical geometry" (time/location on the earth) the more precise the altitude readings will match the angles on the digital inclimator.
thanks
Mark
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15" Discovery Truss Dobsonian (f/5)
6" Orion Skyquest XT (f/8)
8" Meade LX6 SCT (f/6)
****
Chapel Hill Astronomical & Observation Society
Raleigh Astronomy Club
Edited by astrasouth (07/18/07 11:43 AM)
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astrasouth
member
Reged: 07/11/07
Posts: 17
Loc: NC
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Quote:
Mark: with the degree circles, you will be right on the money. This system is such a simple addition to a Dob, that a lot of people cannot believe it can be so accurate & simple to use!
Carol
Yes, this is quite amazing and fun as well.
Thanks!
Mark
Disclaimer: the following is a ramble re: star-hopping vs. circles:
I still fear that I'll get "lazy" with this system and not continue to learn the sky as I've been doing. I can't get credit for the AL Messier clubs with this, but I sometimes would rather spend more time observing/sketching than hunting.
With that said, I won't make this a crutch, but an extra help when some objects are just too hard to find. I also like Rod's approach. Find the target with circles, look at where the object is in the sky with the Telrad, move the scope, and see if you can locate the object with nothing but the Telrad alone. that's a great way to not get "lazy."
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15" Discovery Truss Dobsonian (f/5)
6" Orion Skyquest XT (f/8)
8" Meade LX6 SCT (f/6)
****
Chapel Hill Astronomical & Observation Society
Raleigh Astronomy Club
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csa/montana
Wild Spirit
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 40112
Loc: montana
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I agree with not getting "lazy" using this great little system. I use mine only when I can't seem to find an object; that way, I'm not totally dependent on it, I have to use skycharts, which in turn, familiarizes me with the sky. But, it's great to have it when you need it!
It's also nice for beginners, so they can find objects, without getting discouraged!
Carol
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Pentaxes; 5XW, 7XL, 10XW.
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
TV Panoptics; 22, 35
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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astrasouth
member
Reged: 07/11/07
Posts: 17
Loc: NC
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Quote:
I agree with not getting "lazy" using this great little system. I use mine only when I can't seem to find an object; that way, I'm not totally dependent on it, I have to use skycharts, which in turn, familiarizes me with the sky. But, it's great to have it when you need it!
It's also nice for beginners, so they can find objects, without getting discouraged!
Carol
Carol,
I absolutely agree. It's nice to have both systems and methods. I will always want to keep my star-hopping skills and the joy of the "hunt", but sometimes it's nice to "push to" the object and spend more time observing!
Kind regards
Mark
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15" Discovery Truss Dobsonian (f/5)
6" Orion Skyquest XT (f/8)
8" Meade LX6 SCT (f/6)
****
Chapel Hill Astronomical & Observation Society
Raleigh Astronomy Club
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csa/montana
Wild Spirit
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 40112
Loc: montana
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Mark, thanks, & congratulations on your beautiful scopes!
Carol
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Pentaxes; 5XW, 7XL, 10XW.
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
TV Panoptics; 22, 35
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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Ghazzer
journeyman
Reged: 04/27/07
Posts: 5
Loc: Sykesville, Maryland
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Carol: For anyone stil interested in the Sears 10" digital level, Sears is having a "member sale" 7/22 - 7/28. The 10" Multi-Function Digital Level (#48292) shows a member price of $29.99 and a regular price of $49.99.
You can join their club on line at Craftsman Club
Here is the blurb: New digital technology clearly reads the angle of the tool to the 1/10 of a degree. Reads right side up or down. Audible tone identifies angle in 45-degree increments from 0 to 90 degrees. Recalls last 9 measurements, calculates degrees between two angles, projects bright red laser dot accurately to 1/4 in. at 100 feet. Use tripod threads or hang magnetically. Wt. 1.2 lbs.
I don't have one yet but I'll be there Monday with my $30!
<< Steve >>
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Steve Hedges
10" Antares
Every day is Saturday!
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Tom Andrews
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/25/07
Posts: 1003
Loc: Homebase - Albuquerque, NM, cu...
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Steve,
Welcome to CN and thanks for the heads-up. I got mine 3 months ago when they were on sale for the same $30. There have been a few people working on their circles since then who may want the digital level. It works great for me!
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Tom
The Secret To Life:
Focus on what you have, not on what you don't;
Focus on what you can do, not on what you can't.
************************************************
2007 Discovery 12.5" PDHQ Split-Tube Dob w/manual setting circles/Telrad/Zhummel 8x50 RACI finder scope (*For Sale*)
Coulter Odessey 8" Dob
Celestron C11-SGT
Garrett Optical 15x70 Gemini Binoculars on homemade Parallelogram w/Setting Circles
The Albuquerque Astronomy Society (TAAS)
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csa/montana
Wild Spirit
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 40112
Loc: montana
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Steve: Thanks for posting this info! I'm sure quite a few will jump on that great price!
Carol
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Pentaxes; 5XW, 7XL, 10XW.
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
TV Panoptics; 22, 35
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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rnabholz
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/25/04
Posts: 897
Loc: Iowa
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mark,
Sorry for the delayed response - I was on a vacation-TOTAL- no cellphones or computers at all.
Glad to hear it works as well for you as it does for me. It is really fun to use .
I have found that those with troubles with the system typically have a software set up issue. You are right on the point, take the time to set up the software with the most accurate information available and you will be rewarded with increased accuracy all night long.
Regarding Software - I just bought Astromist - it has some great features that TheSky Pocket addition does not have. Haven't had it out with the scope yet, but will report my findings.
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Rod Nabholz
Home Built Astronomy Projects
Wild Bird Photography
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astrasouth
member
Reged: 07/11/07
Posts: 17
Loc: NC
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Quote:
mark,
Sorry for the delayed response - I was on a vacation-TOTAL- no cellphones or computers at all.
Glad to hear it works as well for you as it does for me. It is really fun to use .
I have found that those with troubles with the system typically have a software set up issue. You are right on the point, take the time to set up the software with the most accurate information available and you will be rewarded with increased accuracy all night long.
Regarding Software - I just bought Astronomist - it has some great features that TheSky Pocket addition does not have. Haven't had it out with the scope yet, but will report my findings.
Astronomist looks amazing. One my observing buds has theSKY and doesn't like it that much mainly because it's difficult to zoom in on objects for quick star-hopping and the "look" of the sky on it is ho-hum.
I use "Planetarium" and it LOVE this program. (has a 5-star rating on palm sites). I've mostly used it for star-hopping and have found some pretty remote stuff with it. It's also good for adding comet orbital data as well.
If my Palm memory could fit Astronomist, I would buy that program in a second.
Again, thanks for the amazing idea of the "smart tool."
Kind Regards,
Mark
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15" Discovery Truss Dobsonian (f/5)
6" Orion Skyquest XT (f/8)
8" Meade LX6 SCT (f/6)
****
Chapel Hill Astronomical & Observation Society
Raleigh Astronomy Club
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BradC
sage
Reged: 01/31/07
Posts: 447
Loc: St. Louis, MO
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I took Gordon's 24" original (for 12" scopes), and scaled it to 22" for 10" scopes. While I was at it, I went ahead and added intermediate numbers, every 5 degrees.
Please note this one is clockwise-only, so wouldn't work attached to the TOP of the base--it should be attached to the BOTTOM part.
I printed it today, and it looks perfect for the Zhumell 10" scope. The PDF file itself is actually 23" x 23" (because of a slim margin around the circle). When they print, just make sure they print it at 100% size, and don't do a "shrink to page size" (took two printings for my local OfficeMAX to get it right).
I'll post pics when I get it installed. Thanks for the fabulous ideas, everyone!
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My God! It's full of stars!
Zhumell 10" dob - First Light Report
Celestron OptiView 10x50 LPR Binoculars
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BradC
sage
Reged: 01/31/07
Posts: 447
Loc: St. Louis, MO
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Here's a sample of what the revised 10" circle looks like: (re-uploaded to get rid of the jaggies)
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My God! It's full of stars!
Zhumell 10" dob - First Light Report
Celestron OptiView 10x50 LPR Binoculars
Edited by BradC (07/22/07 11:47 PM)
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csa/montana
Wild Spirit
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 40112
Loc: montana
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Quote:
Here are the PDF files:
8" Dob:
8" Dob degree circles
10" Dob
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/attachments/1733221-22%20inch%20clockwise.pdf
Counterclockwise 10"
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/attachments/3285539-New%20Az%20Scale%20Model%2022%20inch.pdf
12" LightBridge:
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/attachments/3285532-New%20Az%20Scale%20Model%2025%20inch.pdf
Manufactured circles:
Manufactured Degree Circles
16" LightBridge 1/2 Degree Circles: (not PDF).
link
Carol
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Pentaxes; 5XW, 7XL, 10XW.
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
TV Panoptics; 22, 35
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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Sky Captain
Metal Whisperer
Reged: 11/07/04
Posts: 7176
Loc: Issaquah, WA.
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Quote:
Here's a sample of what the revised 10" circle looks like: (re-uploaded to get rid of the jaggies)
That looks alot better Brad.
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Equipment Overload!
Kerry
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BradC
sage
Reged: 01/31/07
Posts: 447
Loc: St. Louis, MO
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Thanks, Kerry.
It is based on your labeler-mod. I liked the smaller-sized offset numbers.
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My God! It's full of stars!
Zhumell 10" dob - First Light Report
Celestron OptiView 10x50 LPR Binoculars
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kwalker
sage
Reged: 08/22/06
Posts: 293
Loc: Oklahoma City, OK
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I recieved my Wixey in the mail today. I needed to change. The old eyes struggle to read the inclinometer anymore.
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Keith
Zhumell 10" dobsonian with $12 "Push-To"
4mm & 9mm BO/TMB Planetary, 13mm Stratus, 17mm Stratus, 32mm Widefield
Orion shorty plus 2x barlow
Catseye Xl Triple Pro Pack
Glatter Laser
Celestron 15x70
|
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