- Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

RE: [Utah-astronomy] Green Laser Pointers
by Lambert, Aaron 20 Feb '04

20 Feb '04

The cheapo green lasers are on e-bay. The $90 to $100 ones seem to be more and more common now though (like on e-bay, http://www.scopestuff.com/index.html, and http://www.z-bolt.com/) They all seem to be about the same and most seem to be from the same two manufacturers in China (http://www.chinagonet.com/cnilaser/products.html) and Taiwan (http://www.leadlight.com.tw/btm.htm) One of the drawbacks is that the lasers are classified at "<5 MW" and from what I have read they vary widely, usually between 1.5 and 4 MW. You might get lucky, or you might get a dud. One e-bay seller claims to test each of his and sells specific ones as "guaranteed 5 MW" and then auctions the others for less. As you all know, however, on e-bay your mileage varies. I have had some great transactions, but also seen stuff that is obviously a rip-off. Aaron > -----Original Message----- > From: Richard Tenney [mailto:retenney@yahoo.com] > Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 11:43 AM > To: Utah Astronomy > Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Star pointer, was Meade LX10 8" > > > I keep a 4 D-cell Maglight (like the cops use) in my > eyepiece case (with a focusable beam) to point out > stars; works pretty well, and these can be picked up > for about $20+ locally at Sams club or most sporting > goods stores; even the 3 D-cell models work pretty > well. The opaque shroud is a good idea, as there is > some light spill without it for those nearby trying to > observe (I have to get away from the pack and try not > to point too low). > > But I've also seen and used some of the green lasers, > and I have to say these babies are very cool; I'd love > to have one, just haven't been able to bring myself to > plunk down $150 for one (where are you seeing them for > $60?). > > -Rich

1 0

RE: [Utah-astronomy] Star pointer, was Meade LX10 8"
by David Dunn 20 Feb '04

20 Feb '04

I have moved up to the green laser pointer. I really enjoy it. We have seen it visually through a telescope at Monte last year so you shouldn't use it when people are taking pictures. The green color shows up really well. The "Star Stabber", Karen and DeLoy deserve the credit for the name, also works well. I just used some cardboard from a shoe box. Dave -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+david.dunn=albertsons.com(a)mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+david.dunn=albertsons.com@mailman.xmission.co m] On Behalf Of Dale Hooper Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 9:19 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Star pointer, was Meade LX10 8" You could start out on-the-cheap and try what Dave Dunn calls a "star stabber". Get a fairly bright flashlight and wrap something opaque around the front of it (i.e. make an extended cylinder around the front). If there is any dust in the air then you will be able to easily point things out. This is what I'm still currently using and it works quite well. > -----Original Message----- > From: Lambert, Aaron [mailto:Aaron.Lambert@Williams.com] > Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 8:56 AM > To: Utah Astronomy > Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Meade LX10 8" > > > Thank you all for your replies, they have been very helpful. > I will probably just wait and save up for a Celestron. I > should have picked a less expensive hobby, but I'm hooked now. :) > Speaking of expensive, I have been having a lot of fun > pointing out things to my two older kids (4 and 6), but they > have a difficult time with anything that is not obvious (they > can find Venus, Orion, and Jupiter, but not Saturn). I have > heard a lot of different opinions regarding the green laser > pointer as a tool for pointing out stars. If they are as good > as some people say it seems like it would be a perfect tool > for making sure my kids and I are both looking at the same > stars, and also handy for youth groups, and in general > pointing things out for non-astronomers. Do any of you know > if they are they as easy to see as advertised? I would hate > to fork out $90 (they range from $60 to $160 but there seem > to be reputable dealers at $90) only to find out that the > beam did not help my kids at all. > > Thanks again, > Aaron > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com > > _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com

3 2

Pointers & Green lasers
by Chuck Hards 20 Feb '04

20 Feb '04

Since this item was last mentioned on the list, I did a little research. It seems that there are 2 types of diodes on the market now, one is pulsed, the other continuous, yet both can have the same output rating. The pulsed module still looks like a continous beam due to the persistence of vision, but they are said to be much dimmer, in use, than the true continuous-duty types. I can't remember now who sells which, but it's worth considering if you plan to spend that much money on a pointer. I seem to recall that only one seller sold the continuous-duty model, my memory is saying Scopetronix but it's been months now so I can't be sure. The flashlight method has been around for decades, we used to use police-style 5-cell flashlights that Radio Shack once sold. C. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard - Read only the mail you want. http://antispam.yahoo.com/tools

1 0

RE: [Utah-astronomy] Meade LX10 8"
by Lambert, Aaron 20 Feb '04

20 Feb '04

Thank you all for your replies, they have been very helpful. I will probably just wait and save up for a Celestron. I should have picked a less expensive hobby, but I'm hooked now. :) Speaking of expensive, I have been having a lot of fun pointing out things to my two older kids (4 and 6), but they have a difficult time with anything that is not obvious (they can find Venus, Orion, and Jupiter, but not Saturn). I have heard a lot of different opinions regarding the green laser pointer as a tool for pointing out stars. If they are as good as some people say it seems like it would be a perfect tool for making sure my kids and I are both looking at the same stars, and also handy for youth groups, and in general pointing things out for non-astronomers. Do any of you know if they are they as easy to see as advertised? I would hate to fork out $90 (they range from $60 to $160 but there seem to be reputable dealers at $90) only to find out that the beam did not help my kids at all. Thanks again, Aaron

2 1

RE: [Utah-astronomy] Star pointer, was Meade LX10 8"
by Dale Hooper 20 Feb '04

20 Feb '04

You could start out on-the-cheap and try what Dave Dunn calls a "star stabber". Get a fairly bright flashlight and wrap something opaque around the front of it (i.e. make an extended cylinder around the front). If there is any dust in the air then you will be able to easily point things out. This is what I'm still currently using and it works quite well. > -----Original Message----- > From: Lambert, Aaron [mailto:Aaron.Lambert@Williams.com] > Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 8:56 AM > To: Utah Astronomy > Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Meade LX10 8" > > > Thank you all for your replies, they have been very helpful. > I will probably just wait and save up for a Celestron. I > should have picked a less expensive hobby, but I'm hooked now. :) > Speaking of expensive, I have been having a lot of fun > pointing out things to my two older kids (4 and 6), but they > have a difficult time with anything that is not obvious (they > can find Venus, Orion, and Jupiter, but not Saturn). I have > heard a lot of different opinions regarding the green laser > pointer as a tool for pointing out stars. If they are as good > as some people say it seems like it would be a perfect tool > for making sure my kids and I are both looking at the same > stars, and also handy for youth groups, and in general > pointing things out for non-astronomers. Do any of you know > if they are they as easy to see as advertised? I would hate > to fork out $90 (they range from $60 to $160 but there seem > to be reputable dealers at $90) only to find out that the > beam did not help my kids at all. > > Thanks again, > Aaron > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com > >

1 0

Fwd: Desert_Sunset_Star_Party_-_May_13-16,_2004
by Richard Tenney 19 Feb '04

19 Feb '04

Note: forwarded message attached. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard - Read only the mail you want. http://antispam.yahoo.com/tools

1 0

Re: [Utah-astronomy] Meade LX10 8"
by Michael Carnes 19 Feb '04

19 Feb '04

1 0

Meade LX10 8"
by Lambert, Aaron 19 Feb '04

19 Feb '04

Hello all, Does anyone on this group have experience with the Meade LX10 8" scope? They are currently on sale on Astronomics for $800 (reg price $1370). I have been looking into getting a larger scope for a while (I currently have a 4.5" dob). I have been mostly interested in the Celestron 9.25", but this seems like an exceptional deal. I would appreciate comments (pro and con) from anyone who has used this scope before. Thanks, Aaron Lambert

2 1

Friday night whether for Utah
by Jim Gibson 19 Feb '04

19 Feb '04

Weekend Whether As of 2PM the whether net at Dugway is showing that tonight (Thursday, Feb 19th) will be the best night for St. George. The whether pattern has changed, but the storm will still cut across northern Arizona and southern Utah (to about St. George) Friday evening. Rain is expected there on Friday and Saturday. The farther north you go in Utah the better it looks because the storm system now slants back to the northwest. Northern Utah looks like it has a chance of being fairly descent, if not all night, at least through a good part of the evening and certainly better than St. George. Temperatures have moderated over what we experienced the last several weeks. I am sorry to report for all you hopefuls out there that the St. George trip does not look promising. If you know of some place in northern Utah that is not covered with snow, it will probably be best. Jim --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard - Read only the mail you want.

2 1

Re: [Utah-astronomy] Re: Harvard and the BB drop
by Michael Carnes 19 Feb '04

19 Feb '04

The Nova episode on trebuchets a couple of years ago was the best Nova ever made. Of course, if I'd known about trebuchets as a kid, I'd have built one to throw snowballs at cars. I'd probably STILL be in reform school if that had happened. Michael Boy, just think of it: Air cannons, black powder cannons, rockets and (my favorite) trebuchets! http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Acres/8558 Patrick _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com

1 0