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TOPIC: Telescope Tips


L

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RE: Telescope Tips
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A blue filter will help split binaries

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L

Posts: 131433
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Astronomy tips
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Keep both eyes open when observing with a telescope.



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L

Posts: 131433
Date:
RE: Telescope Tips
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Telescope tip: replace the thumb screws on your diagonal with Nylon ones so they dont scratch your eyepiece barrels



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L

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How can we exactly measure the apparent field of view of an eyepiece?

Knowing the actual field of view (FOV) for an eyepiece can be very helpful when planning an observing session. The apparent FOV depends on the eyepiece design, and sometimes that, and the FOV, is not always known - but can simply be determined by using a stopwatch.

Locate a star close to the celestial equator and place it at the eastern edge of the field of view in the eyepiece. And simply time how long it takes for the star to drift across the field of view (passing through the center of the eyepiece) and disappear. (Remember to turn off your telescope motor drive/tracking).
Enter the measured time into the following equation:

FOV = T x 15.04 x Cos(delta)

T = Drift time in minutes
Cos(delta) = The star's declination (For stars near the celestial equator, Cos(delta) = 1)

Ed ~ Simply, (For stars near the celestial equator); Time x 15 = FOV



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L

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Cotton swabs or buds are an essential item to include in your eyepiece case. The coating on lenses and eye pieces are quite tough, and can be easily cleaned with a cotton bud.
But, as well as cotton buds, a bulb blower, small stiff paintbrush, and/or a lens cleaning pen, will also help keep your eyepieces free of grime.
Remove any grit from the surface with the blower, brush over it with the brush, then blast the surface again with the blower. Now, just very gently wipe around the optics with a cotton bud until clean.
If greasy marks still persist, the cotton buds can be dipped in IPA (Isopropyl alcohol) solution or Baader wonder cleaner; polish gently with a dry cotton bud, (Care must be take here as some cleaning solutions will melt plastic cotton buds - test before use, or use wooden cotton buds).

Leo Gerstenzang in 1923 invented the cotton swab/bud or Q-Tips. His product, which he named "Baby Gays", went on to become one of the most widely-sold brand names, where "Q" as in "Q-tip" stood for quality.
Read more



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L

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Quick and Dirty Polar Alignment

EQ mounts must be at least approximately aligned with the north celestial pole. For Northern Hemisphere observers, this is located within about ½ degree of Polaris, the North Star. Thus, for visual use, the EQ mount can simply be pointed at Polaris.
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L

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Convert an ATX Power Supply Into a Regular DC Power Supply

A DC power supply can be hard to find and expensive. With features that are more or less hit or miss for what you need.
In this Instructable, I will show you how to convert a computer power supply into a regular DC power supply with 12, 5 and 3.3 volt outputs.

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Ed ~ Not for beginners: Read the instructions carefully. Electricity can be deadly. And be mindful of those capacitors....



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L

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Tip for today:
Use Sorbothane Sport Heel Pads or shoe insoles to reduce tripod vibrations. 
Sorbothane is an elastomeric vibration-absorbing material used to dampen vibration in turntables or for shoe insoles, but they are excellent for reducing telescope tripod vibrations. Thin Sorbothane pads can be sandwiched between hard plastic or metal and placed under one, or more, tripod foot.

Suitable Sorbothane HI-FI isolation feet or rings can also be used.

Sorbothane is a proprietary, visco-elastic polymer. Visco-elastic means that a material exhibits properties of both liquids (viscous solutions) and solids (elastic materials).
Sorbothane is a thermoset, polyether-based, polyurethane material. Sorbothane combines shock absorption, good memory, vibration isolation and vibration damping characteristics. In addition, Sorbothane is a very effective acoustic damper and absorber.
Absorbs up to 94.7% of impact energy, then reforms to its original shape. Sold in a 12" x 12" x 1/8" sheet. For use by scientists, designers and experimenters

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Meade - vibration isolation pads, set of 3

$49.95
Meade's set of three vibration isolation pads typically reduce telescope tripod vibration times to less than one second, allowing undisturbed viewing sooner. Telescope vibrations are caused by windy conditions, ground vibrations (from people walking near the scope or nearby traffic), an unsteady mount or tripod, or even the simple act of touching the scope to focus.
Read more



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L

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Tip for today:
When imaging the Sun with a computer monitor (or camera screen) shield the device to help improve the contrast and help with focusing.

A laptop can be placed inside a cardboard box, with a letterbox opening to view inside; a black towel or sheet can also be used like a old fashioned photographic camera cloth shade.

Allow for air flow and heat build up with monitors or laptops.



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L

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Tip for today:
When removing filters from lenses, etc, don't remove them like a cap off a bottle; hold the eyepiece the 'right way' up - - so that the filter can drop into your hand should it slip.



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