Hi. I'm New here

Hi, my name is John and I am a recently retired police detective of 18 years (my career was cut suddenly short by a disability). I have been home since December and quite frankly have been bored to death. My father died when I was young, but he was a big collector of coins (I have no idea who got them, though). But I remember always looking at them and thinking how cool they were.

I don't know much about coins, but came here to re-live some of those memories and maybe learn some new things. Let's face it, I have nothing but time (I hope!), and this may be a really good low stress hobby for me. I would ask questions, but truly wouldn't even know what to ask yet.

By the way, this forum is setup on a really cool platform! I love the navigation and setup!

In any event, if anyone has the patience I am eager to explore! Have a great day.

John

Oh, I lied! I do have the State Quarters! lol

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Permalink Reply by John W on July 17, 2009 at 6:37pm

Uhhh..... I suspect I need to look this up. My Spock training manual was missing this page..... it seems!!!

Z-man said:

John W, Remember the words:Claatu - Barada -Nikto and Gort will be at your command! Z-man

John W said:
Maybe I'll join Starship Command and GO TO the planets. I'll send back some pics.
Nanu nanu.

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Permalink Reply by Indentured Servant on July 17, 2009 at 8:54pm

Zyll said:

Nice scope Bill! I hear refractors are great for viewing planets. I own a 4.5in Dobsonian-mounted reflector made by Orion, called the StarQuest. Now that I'm getting better at star-hopping, I'm able to find more objects. Last month I found the ring nebula with my humble 25mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece and a barlow 2x magnifier. That combo gives good magnification but also more comfortable eye relief. The Hercules Cluster still looks like a fuzzy grey blob compared to the other light buckets in the club, but I really enjoy watching Jupiter's moons change position each night.
Seven planets huh? Good luck finding Uranus and Neptune...I pointed right at Uranus but never was able for certain say that I saw it. And Mercury is easier in binoculars than a telescope, but yes Mars, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn are great targets.

That is a good scope! I got one for my father. I understand about the problems of eye relief but locating objects should be easier with just the 25mm eyepiece and no barlow. It will give you a lower power/wider field of view. Once an object is located you can add the barlow or use a higher power eyepiece. (lower number)

Uranus and Neptune can be difficult because they appear to be basically starlike. The trick is to point to where they are then increase the power with another eyepiece or barlow. As you increase power, planets will have a definite disk shape where stars will remain as pinpoints. Uranus should also appear blue-green while Neptune is blue. Keep trying! I have seen all seven planets in my 7x40 Nikon binoculars. I saw Pluto in my 14" SCT scope but it is so distant and small that it can only be confirmed by multiple observations hours apart. I had to draw the field of view for both observations and the "star" that moved was it.
Bill

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Permalink Reply by Indentured Servant on July 17, 2009 at 9:13pm

CC said:

WOW! That’s a big telescope!!

All of you guys that are posting about telescopes, I’m writing your names down. Since my “adopted” grand-daughter was a little girl she’s been a moon gazer, camping out in the backyard so she could look up at the stars and dream of going to the moon. Next year she will be graduating from Texas AM with an industrial distribution degree (parents choice). Her choice was an aerospace engineering degree. With the economy & job market the way it is, her parents are considering letting her continue her education and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for her. Either way, I would like to give her a really nice telescope for a graduation present. That brings me back to why I’m writing your names down, I need your help. After telling you a little bit about Megan, what type of telescope would you suggest and will I’ll even be able to afford one that she would enjoy. Several months ago I was looking online at the Celestron’s. I was hoping around $1,500-1,800 max. (less if possible).There’s so many types, reflecting, refracting, catadioptric. Also kind of curious about the astronomy binoculars. I would really appreciate any help from you.

Big is a relative term. The main thing to remember is diameter of the lens or main mirror is the most important factor with respect to size. The bigger they are the more light they gather and resolve. The scope I linked to is impressive looking but it's only six inches in diameter. My 14 inch scope will show me much fainter objects and show more detail than the six inch scope no matter what I'm looking at.

I'd be happy to offer telescope buying (or building) advice but there are a large number of factors to consider so I would have a large list of questions that need answers before I could suggest a few models. In general though, for a casual observer I'd suggest a 6 or 8 inch Dobsonian mounted reflector with an f number of 6 or 8. Either one will show you enough objects that you could never see them all. They are easy to store, portable and ready to use in minutes. I highly suggest learning how to find your way in the sky by means of "star hopping" or dead reckoning. You can also buy a scope with a computer or add a computer to an existing scope. The star hopping method will take some time and practice and using a computer will take time and practice to set up and use. Either way you will need to practice. I prefer to star hop but I also own a telescope computer.
Bill

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Permalink Reply by Lureuin on July 17, 2009 at 9:59pm

I've had to chuckle a few times while reading these posts. It almost sounds like the typical male bravado of who has the biggest- Telescope that is. lol Also a little hint of Tim Allen and his yard tool modifications.

You guys do have some beautiful instruments!!!

I have a simple 4" Tasco refractor that lets me see plenty. I have a Barlow, 3 standard lenses, a moon filter, and a sun filter. I do have an advantage as there are no street lights, parking lots or large buildings anywhere near me. On a typical night the Milky Way is as thick as a cloud and meteors can be seen every few minutes. Does anyone look for satellites at sunset?

I know you're a big girl and will laugh at this post CC.

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Permalink Reply by Indentured Servant on July 18, 2009 at 3:15pm

Lureuin said:

I have a simple 4" Tasco refractor that lets me see plenty. I have a Barlow, 3 standard lenses, a moon filter, and a sun filter. I do have an advantage as there are no street lights, parking lots or large buildings anywhere near me. On a typical night the Milky Way is as thick as a cloud and meteors can be seen every few minutes. Does anyone look for satellites at sunset?

Lureuin, that sounds like a fine scope to me. The best telescope for anyone is the one that gets used! One bit of warning though. If that Sun filter you mention is the type that screws into the eyepiece or attaches to the top of the eyepiece your vision is in great danger! The energy from the Sun can be concentrated onto the filter glass and cause it to crack in an instant delivering a lethal dose of magnified sunlight to your retina which will cause permanent blindness. The only safe filter to use is a full aperture type that that blocks out 99.9% of all light before it enters the telescope. Even then the filter must be thoroughly inspected before every use and securely attached to the telescope so that gravity or wind cannot dislodge it.

Those small eyepiece filters can be used one or dozens of times before they crack so don't risk it.
Bill

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Permalink Reply by Lureuin on July 18, 2009 at 3:43pm

Geez; thanks Bill, I never knew or heard of that. Maybe I'll still use it, but without connecting it to the telescope. I do have the white metal projection plate that can be used instead. Thanks again!!

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Permalink Reply by Indentured Servant on July 18, 2009 at 3:49pm

Lureuin said:

Does anyone look for satellites at sunset?

Yes. Have a look at http://www.heavens-above.com/. You can enter your city or latitude& longitude and get pass times, apparent directions and apparent altitudes (relative to the horizon) for hundreds of satellites including ISS and the Shuttle when it is up. Be sure to look for Iridium satellites. They get so bright that some are visible in broad daylight!
Bill

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Permalink Reply by Indentured Servant on July 18, 2009 at 3:54pm

CC said:

Bill – thanks and I’ve copied all of your posts. I’ll be going for a visit in the fall and maybe I can get a list of questions from you or dance around the subject with her and then get your list of questions.

CC, I've put together a page about buying telescopes and posted it to my website. http://skyexplorers.com/b4ubuy.htm My email is at the bottom of the page if you have any questions. Keep in mind that it can be several days before I check my email so be patient.
Bill

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Albert on July 18, 2009 at 4:49pm

Hi John,

We won't hold it against you for being a retired cop, at least I won't, you never gave me a ticket:))>. Just kidding of course! We will hold it against you:). Enough teasing, welcome and ask anything you like, except where I was at 1 am last night, and no I was there. I have collected US dating back to colonial days, and now I have my 3rd Roman collection. I have seen/owned many rare coins and I am fair and honest, not always 100% right, being human it goes with the territory. However, I enjoy helping people and educating about something I have been doing for 36 years now. Anyway, I hope this place is useful to you and enjoy!

Tom