LGDSO

FREE OBSERVATORY DOME!
Yes.... FREE!

Jason Mocherman, the head of Riverview High School's planetarium, has alerted me that the Sarasota Military Academy is looking for (hopefully!) a Local Group member who would be interested in acquiring their observatory dome. (Pictured)

It measures 6' in height, and the base is 9' x 12'.

The ONLY catch is that if you want it, you'll have to go get it yourself... or make arrangements to have it delivered to you.

If you're interested, please contact Jason via e-mail at
Jason.Mocherman@sarasotacountyschools.net

Hi Raymond,

I'm not a huge fan of the focus knobs on the back of SCTs as they are *very* prone to image shift... which isn't an issue at low power/wide field, but becomes a huge, annoying problem at higher power when you go to adjust the focus and your target "image shifts" right out of the field of view! And for astrophotography, image shift will quickly have you pulling your hair out.

On my Celestron CPC1100, I have an aftermarket focuser (pictured) that includes knobs for both course-focus and fine or "micro" focus. This type of focuser (and there are a variety of them out there at many price points), not only makes it easier to tweak to a fine focus, it also eliminates the image shift issue because it no longer uses the movement of the primary mirror to achieve focus.

That said, I did not remove the original focus knob (or lock it), since I still occasionally use it for a very course focus at the start of an observing session.

Good luck!

Jonathan

That looks like Sky Safari Pro -- which with the addition of the Skyfi option, will allow you to connect to most telescopes. (My CPC 1100 is about 12 years old, and my Meade LX200 was even older - - and there were no 'age' issues connecting to either.)

Once you've connected your scope, your phone, with the app running, becomes your controller and you can "Go To" any object you select, regardless of how it's labeled in the app.

In fact, you don't even have to point - - the latest version allows you to talk to it; click on the microphone icon and say "Go to Saturn" (or whatever), and the scope will point to it.

The Skyfi may not be the most inexpensive tool in your kit, but it is quite cool.

https://skysafariastronomy.com/skyfi-3-professional-astronomy-telescope-control.html

iOptron IEQ45 Mount/Tripod

Passing along information regarding this really nice mount, not quite 8 years old, with a replacement cost in the neighborhood of $3,000.

The weight capacity of this particular mount is 45 pounds.

The seller (who will be joining as a member soon) is more interested in quickly getting this into the hands of an LGDSO member who will be able to get a lot of good use out of it, rather than getting a ton of money for it.

Therefore, *any* offer will be considered.

For more information, or to make your offer, please contact him directly:

Warren Sullivan
Catskilladams@live.com

I have sent this out to everyone via e-mail, but to make sure that no one misses the message, please note the following:

March 14th Starry Night Fundraiser at Crowley postponed to Saturday, April 25th

Out of an abundance of caution concerning the fact that the World Health Organization has, as of today, officially declared "pandemic" status on the Coronavirus/Covid-19 situation, we are postponing the Starry Night event that had been scheduled for this Saturday, March 14th.

The very nature of this event--with a large number of people gathered in close proximity to one another, placing their faces against telescope eyepieces, and partaking in an open "refreshment" buffet--is simply too likely to put people at risk.

At this point in time, not enough is understood about the disease, but it does seem that the potential to expose hundreds of people is simply not worth the risk.

This is not, however, an outright cancellation. Please note that we are tentatively re-scheduling Starry Night for Saturday, April 25, 2020, assuming that the conditions regarding this Coronavirus outbreak have changed for the better by that time.

We will of course, keep everyone posted.

Assuming that the event will be held on that date, please note that the time of the event will shift slightly later due to the later sunset (8:00 p.m.) six weeks from now. The observing that evening would take place from 8:30 until 11:00 p.m., the gates will open to the public starting at 7:15 p.m.

I really hate canceling events, but I tried to put it off as long as I possibly could. The screen shot is the cloud-cover forecast for tonight at around 8:00 p.m.

Some weather models were showing a possibility of some clearing, but most of the forecasts are indicating that it won't clear up until closer to midnight tonight.

Plus, one typically reliable model is showing a brief period of light showers right in the middle of the evening while we'd be set up. Not the best conditions for observing.

Because of the way the lunar phases worked out this year... we actually have another Sidewalk Astronomy event slated this month!

Keep your fingers crossed for clear skies on Saturday, February 29th, when we're scheduled to have our next event at the Celery Fields!

Celestron 127 MAK for sale. Only $250!

Barely-used 6" Celestron 127 MAK Computerized Telescope

Accessories include iPhone bracket for photography, eyepieces.

Paid approximately $600 in mid-2019.

Asking only $250.


For more information or questions, please direct all inquiries to:

Mitch Leon
maleon49@gmail.com

SOLD!!
SOLD!!
SOLD!!

Celestron CPC 800 GPS XLT plus accessories

Former LGDSO member Marc Ellis has found himself in a "must move quickly" situation, and is giving up his very lightly used Celestron CPC 800 GPS XLT scope, along with a couple of eyepieces and a Celestron Powertank.

Photos are attached, it's all in great shape, and you likely won't find a better price without going into a telescope store wearing a pair of pantyhose on your head! 

Replacement cost for all of this stuff is just about $2000.

First person to bring Marc $500 gets it all!

As always, please contact the seller directly with questions, etc.

Marc M. Ellis
marc@h2opictures.com
www.h2opictures.com
941-201-7745