Vega and the Double Double - April, May 2008

General astronomy-related discussion (publicly viewable)
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Mark G
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Unread post by Mark G »

Paul D wrote:
As Mark pointed out, Vega is pretty low in the sky right now. The higher it gets in the sky the better your chance is to split it.
Oh come on now... Vega is only low if your looking at it at 11:00PM. When I was outside at 4:00AM Vega was right overhead, almost at zenith. :lol: :lol: :lol:
Did you think to split Epsilon Lyra when you saw Vega? :wink:
Clear skies,

Mark

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Rotorhead
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Unread post by Rotorhead »

Last night at 10:30 at Horseneck Beach, Vega was finally high enough to take another shot at the double-double. Ramping up the power on my 15", I was shocked that it took fully 225x to get a minimal split on these puppies!!! But split they did! Does this mean it's summer??? :P
Bob M
15" f5 Starsplitter Dob/80mm Finder
5" Explore Scientific triplet APO on a Vixen Sphinx GEM
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"He numbers all the stars, and calls each one by name." Ps 147:4
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Mark G
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Unread post by Mark G »

Rotorhead wrote: Ramping up the power on my 15",
So you dusted off the 26mm Bob :?: :P :lol:
Rotorhead wrote: I was shocked that it took fully 225x to get a minimal split on these puppies!!! But split they did! Does this mean it's summer??? :P
Soon my friend soon. Seeing conditions dictate the power needed as you know. As well as collimation, etc...

Thanks for posting your attempt to the challenge 8)
Clear skies,

Mark

iOptron CEM25P w/ Tri-pier
CGEM DX
LXD750 w/ CDS #1697
LXD75 w/ #497 autostar Hypertuned
Antares 8" f/5 Newt
Antares 4" f/15 "Vixen Spec" long focus refractor
Orion 4" f/7 ED refractor
Astro-Tech 65mm Quad APO
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Rotorhead
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Unread post by Rotorhead »

Actually, Mark, my hands were trembling as I pulled out the 8.6mm! Such raw power!!! :twisted:

In my old 5" Orion refractor, I first split the double-double at 200x, but it was a very clean split. I had few ep's back then (maybe 3???) and not much choice of power. At 150x with that scope, it would not split; at 200x it was easily split. I had actually only put the dob on it once before, and couldn't remember what it took to split it. But in all honesty, Vega is still low, and from Horseneck it is still over the New Bedford light dome, so the sky was a bit fuzzy over there. I just never expected to take 225x to get a minimal split on such an obvious target, that's all.
Bob M
15" f5 Starsplitter Dob/80mm Finder
5" Explore Scientific triplet APO on a Vixen Sphinx GEM
________
"He numbers all the stars, and calls each one by name." Ps 147:4
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Mark G
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Unread post by Mark G »

Rotorhead wrote:Actually, Mark, my hands were trembling as I pulled out the 8.6mm! Such raw power!!! :twisted:
:lol: :lol: Good one!

Yes it's still very low now before midnight and it will split easier as it rises. You did good my friend. I'm glad you've been out. I can't say the same. :shock:
Clear skies,

Mark

iOptron CEM25P w/ Tri-pier
CGEM DX
LXD750 w/ CDS #1697
LXD75 w/ #497 autostar Hypertuned
Antares 8" f/5 Newt
Antares 4" f/15 "Vixen Spec" long focus refractor
Orion 4" f/7 ED refractor
Astro-Tech 65mm Quad APO
and so much more
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