[Lvas] Lvas Digest, Vol 21, Issue 24

Wed Mar 18 18:48:43 PDT 2009

John,

I agree...for most part nothing it is very hard to beat a larger scope. Have you had the time to read my earlier e-mail regarding my observations regarding my interest in supernova's?

I would like to share a story about SN 1994I in M-51. I had observed M-51 on at least four occasions within a week of the discovery of the SN. Unfortunately the magnitude of 1994I was on the limit of my 10-inch and I was obviously careless in my observations also.

If I had been observing with a 16-inch I could very well have been the first person to see and report this SN. I had observed, sketched, and taken many notes over the years on M-51 so I knew all of the stars within this galaxy, and where they should be. I missed a great opportunity. The 10-inch was too small for this SN.   

That same thing has happened to me on several other galaxies over the past 15 or so years...missed opportunities for a discovery.

I really like my refractor as a portable scope, but my observing scope of choice is my 10-inch reflector. I have always enjoyed pushing a small or large scope to "its" limit. 

I really must agree with Fred...all things considered you should go for aperture.

Roger

> From: jboron at cox.net
> To: lvas at lvlug.org
> Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:29:39 -0700
> Subject: Re: [Lvas] Lvas Digest, Vol 21, Issue 24
> 
> Roger,
> 
> I have always been impressed with the pinpoint sharpness of the stars in a 
> refractor over most reflectors but I always come back to a large aperture 
> reflector to pull in the deep sky objects. I would like to spend time with a 
> big refractor like Lowell or Yerkes but have not have the opportunity. I 
> have visited Lowell a couple of times but have been disappointed by the 
> limits the staff put on viewing time and viewing subjects.
> 
> Like many things in life there are trade-offs between a good refractor and a 
> good reflector...
> 
> John
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <lvas-request at lvlug.org>
> To: <lvas at lvlug.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 5:44 PM
> Subject: Lvas Digest, Vol 21, Issue 24
> 
> 
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> > than "Re: Contents of Lvas digest..."
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> >
> > Today's Topics:
> >
> > 1. FW: Virgo Cluster Identification (roger ivester)
> >
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 1
> > Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 01:08:57 +0000
> > From: roger ivester <drivester at hotmail.com>
> > Subject: [Lvas] FW: Virgo Cluster Identification
> > To: <lvas at lvlug.org>
> > Message-ID: <COL102-W62695C61F36D0A4438DC5DB3960 at phx.gbl>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252"
> >
> >
> > One of my local observing partners sent me this image of the Rosette taken 
> > at the WSP last month with an 80 ED refractor. Very impressive for an 80mm 
> > scope.
> >
> >
> >
> > Many years ago Steve and I worked on our Messier certificates together.
> >
> >
> >
> > Steve is an electronics engineer but doubles as a mechanical engineer and 
> > can absolutely build anything for a telescope. He has taken many Meade SC 
> > scopes and completely rebuild the focuser systems to take out all the 
> > "slop".
> >
> >
> >
> > He has many scopes including Takahashi's, Astro-Physics, Meade, both large 
> > and small, an AP 1200 mount and the list is endless. He mostly observes 
> > with 80 or 100 ED and Fluorite refractors...working on deep-sky objects. I 
> > find this pretty interesting.
> >
> >
> >
> > I know that Fred Rayworth hates small scopes but they really have their 
> > place. I like them and I am not a planetary observer. Fred shares the same 
> > opinion as John Dobson. I am sure most of you have met and probably have 
> > observed with Dobson.
> >
> >
> >
> > Back in June of 1996 he visited this area for a few weeks and stayed at 
> > several of my friends homes. I/we got to know him quite well during this 
> > period. He didn't believe in anything less than a 16-inch scope.
> >
> >
> >
> > I know that you may find it hard to believe but I have had better "visual" 
> > images of faint galaxies with my 4-inch Vixen refractor than an 8-inch 
> > Schmidt-Cassegrain. Why? The better tube baffling, less scattered light, 
> > and a "velvet black" background...allowing for superb contrast. It does 
> > depend on the galaxy surface brightness and overall concentration of the 
> > nucleus and the halo.
> >
> >
> >
> > With the 4-inch "some" galaxies would have much sharper edges and much 
> > better resolve of faint details. If the galaxy was "very" faint...12th 
> > magnitude or fainter the galaxy would be invisible in the 4-inch but would 
> > show up nicely in the 8-inch.
> >
> >
> >
> > Has anyone in the LVAS had this experience? Small refractor versus the 
> > larger but more complicated 8-inch SC?
> >
> >
> >
> > Roger
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Subject: RE: [Lvas] Virgo Cluster Identification
> > Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2009 08:18:00 -0400
> > From: Steve.Davis at fascontrols.com
> > To: drivester at hotmail.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Roger,
> > I posted this to the Yahoo page but you may not have seen it. Heres an 
> > image of the Rosette taken at the WSP last month, Just goes to show what a 
> > little 80mm scope can do.
> >
> > Have you ever noticed that there are just some scopes that will never go 
> > away:
> > 80 & 100 mm refractors, both the 6-inch f/8 & 8-inch f/6 reflectors, and 
> > the 8? SCT? classic workhorses..
> >
> > Steve Davis
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Windows Live? Groups: Create an online spot for your favorite groups to 
> > meet. Check it out.
> >
> >
> >
> > Hotmail? is up to 70% faster. Now good news travels really fast. Find out 
> > more.
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > Windows Live? Contacts: Organize your contact list.
> > http://windowslive.com/connect/post/marcusatmicrosoft.spaces.live.com-Blog-cns!503D1D86EBB2B53C!2285.entry?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_UGC_Contacts_032009
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> > End of Lvas Digest, Vol 21, Issue 24
> > ************************************ 
> 
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