5 replies to this topic

[jrkorman]

Was out this evening closing up our chickens for the night and noticed an extremely bright object in our northwest sky. Had a pretty good idea what it was so went in and grabbed my C90 and set up in the side yard to have a look. With an 18mm eye piece I could easily see the "tear-drop" shape of an upper air research balloon. Noting the direction I later went in and looked up the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility, Fort Sumner, NM site to see if they had any launches underway and indeed they did. About the time I was observing the balloon it was about 240 miles to my west northwest over far northwestern Roosevelt County at around 110,000 feet.

Doing a bit of math I figure that the vertical was around 24 arc seconds (assuming the balloon was around 150 feet) and even much less at the bottom taper of the balloon. Focus even at that distance was quite good, the edges of the balloon were a bit fuzzy. The sun was setting fast and I lost light before I could try one of the smaller eye pieces. Maybe again soon as there appears to be some more launches coming up.

 

Took the scope out later this evening to look at Saturn. Quite nice.

[NinePlanets]

There certainly isn't anything wrong with the little C90's.

They are a lot of scope in a little package that works fine on a little tripod. 

[upwinddan]

Is this a Vixen made C90?

[jrkorman]

Is this a Vixen made C90?

Wasn't aware there was such a thing. Mine is a now about 45 year old Orange C90 (motor date 10/78)
Later observing last evening looking at Saturn was quite pleasing. The image was quite nice. Steady skies helped!

 

Here's most of what I got for my C90. The seller later found the tripod but apparently the wedge has been lost. Looking at making a new one.

 

[Cavs56]

I had a C90 for quite a few years. I really enjoyed it. I recently got a C8 sold the C90 and purchased a spotting scope. The most fun I had with it was watching a breeding pair of wolves on their den 1.25 miles away.

[RalphMeisterTigerMan]

Many people underestimate the Mak-Cass scopes in the 89mm to 102mm size. Ever hear of a Questar Owner complain about their Q3.5? I own an Orion Apex 102mm Mak-Cass and it is the perfect size for me. As I have mobility issues and other medical problems. However, I can carry the 102mm outside for observing. Along with all the "extras" I have eqiuipped my scope with, it really is a sweet little scope. I imagine for those who have retro-fitted their "orange" C90 astro-version to accept 1.25" Eyepieces, they are very portable, light-weight and give satisfying views.

 

At a dark-sky observing site, the C90 would not only give great Lunar and Planetary views, but many DSO's would also be withing reach. An old observing buddy of mine and a hard-core "light-bucket" guy would joke about small grab-and-go scopes, "Yeah, great if you want to look at some birds". 

 

Never underestimate the power of the small grab and go scopes. Like many Amateurs from the past have said, "the best telescope is the one you use most often". 

 

Clear skies and keep looking up!

RalphMeisterTigerMan

Edited by RalphMeisterTigerMan, 18 October 2023 - 12:17 AM.