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Astronomy Questions and more for LGDSO members and visitors alike! / Re: Sidewalk Astronomy March 2019 ((( CANCELED )))
« Last post by Andy Pyatt on March 16, 2019, 08:30:14 am »Thanks for the quick call on cancellation.
News:
Welcome to the Local Group of Deep Sky Observers Forum!
The next Sidewalk Astronomy event will be held at
Robinson Preserve (Expansion Area) on April 13th.
This event is WEATHER PERMITTING and will start
at sunset and run till 10:30 PM.
Recent Posts
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Astronomy Questions and more for LGDSO members and visitors alike! / Sidewalk Astronomy March 2019 ((( CANCELED )))
« Last post by Jonathan Sabin on March 15, 2019, 06:57:50 pm »As frustrating as it is to cancel events due to unfavorable weather conditions, the forecast for tomorrow's (March 16th) Sidewalk Astronomy at the Celery Fields has given me no other option.
The cloud cover estimates for the entire evening range from 80% (lousy), to just over 90% (even lousier).
We will try again, next month (Saturday, April 13th) at Robinson Preserve in NW Bradenton.
The cloud cover estimates for the entire evening range from 80% (lousy), to just over 90% (even lousier).
We will try again, next month (Saturday, April 13th) at Robinson Preserve in NW Bradenton.
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Astronomy Questions and more for LGDSO members and visitors alike! / Sidewalk Astronomy March 2019
« Last post by Jonathan Sabin on March 12, 2019, 03:25:33 pm »Our next Sidewalk Astronomy event is scheduled for this coming Saturday, March 16th at the Celery Fields.
Sunset is just after 7:30 p.m., but the weather forecast (as I write this on Tuesday afternoon) is looking pretty grim.
So unless something changes rather radically between now and then, 90%-plus cloud cover for the entire evening may just turn this into a no-go event.
Keep your fingers crossed... and I'll keep you posted with updates.
Sunset is just after 7:30 p.m., but the weather forecast (as I write this on Tuesday afternoon) is looking pretty grim.
So unless something changes rather radically between now and then, 90%-plus cloud cover for the entire evening may just turn this into a no-go event.
Keep your fingers crossed... and I'll keep you posted with updates.
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Equipment for Sale/Trade / 10" Meade LX200 Classic for sale
« Last post by Jonathan Sabin on February 28, 2019, 07:12:23 pm »FOR SALE: 10" MEADE LX200 (CLASSIC, NON-GPS)
I am selling my long-time "workhorse" scope, a 10" SCT that as many of you already know, offers very nice optics.
Included in the package are the following items:
10" Meade LX200
Carrying case (Meade custom-fit soft-sided case)
JMI Electronic focuser
Spare diagonal
1/2 dozen assorted eyepieces
Meade illuminated reticle eyepiece
(Orion brand) white-light solar filter
(Orion brand) Dew shield
AC adapter
Finderscope
There's more, but that's all I can think of off the top of my head.
I'm offering it via LGDSO before going "outside" to classifieds with a wider audience.
The first $1500 takes everything above.
I am selling my long-time "workhorse" scope, a 10" SCT that as many of you already know, offers very nice optics.
Included in the package are the following items:
10" Meade LX200
Carrying case (Meade custom-fit soft-sided case)
JMI Electronic focuser
Spare diagonal
1/2 dozen assorted eyepieces
Meade illuminated reticle eyepiece
(Orion brand) white-light solar filter
(Orion brand) Dew shield
AC adapter
Finderscope
There's more, but that's all I can think of off the top of my head.
I'm offering it via LGDSO before going "outside" to classifieds with a wider audience.
The first $1500 takes everything above.
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Astronomy Questions and more for LGDSO members and visitors alike! / February Sidewalk Astronomy weather update
« Last post by Jonathan Sabin on February 16, 2019, 01:23:29 pm »Just a brief word about tonight's (SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16th) Sidewalk Astronomy at Riverview H.S.
It's a "go."
Expect overcast skies in the late afternoon to break up by 6ish.
We should have *mostly* clear skies until around 9, and from 9 to 10, we may get a bit of high, thin clouds moving in.
At least, that's the way I'm reading it! ;-)
See you out there!
Jonathan
It's a "go."
Expect overcast skies in the late afternoon to break up by 6ish.
We should have *mostly* clear skies until around 9, and from 9 to 10, we may get a bit of high, thin clouds moving in.
At least, that's the way I'm reading it! ;-)
See you out there!
Jonathan
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Equipment for Sale/Trade / Custom Eyepiece & Star Chart Case
« Last post by George Fleenor on February 12, 2019, 08:59:05 am »Free to good home!
I have come into possession of a 28” L x 21” W x 8” D custom built eyepiece and star chart case. The case was made by Tom Clark of Techtron Telescopes during his early days in Astronomy and the formable years of The Local Group. For this reason, I would like to see the case stay within the membership of the Local Group and passed on accordingly. The case has holders for both 2” and 1 1/4” eyepieces, Star charts, books, etc. It even has a lighted arm that can be positioned for viewing contents. The photos show what appear to be legs. It does not have legs. This was simply a short table I used to sit it on for photographic purposes. If you are interested in this please contact me through this listing or at geofleenor@gmail.com
I have come into possession of a 28” L x 21” W x 8” D custom built eyepiece and star chart case. The case was made by Tom Clark of Techtron Telescopes during his early days in Astronomy and the formable years of The Local Group. For this reason, I would like to see the case stay within the membership of the Local Group and passed on accordingly. The case has holders for both 2” and 1 1/4” eyepieces, Star charts, books, etc. It even has a lighted arm that can be positioned for viewing contents. The photos show what appear to be legs. It does not have legs. This was simply a short table I used to sit it on for photographic purposes. If you are interested in this please contact me through this listing or at geofleenor@gmail.com
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Equipment for Sale/Trade / Heavy Duty Scope Buggy
« Last post by Jonathan Sabin on February 06, 2019, 02:41:26 pm »Heavy Duty Scope Buggy for Sale - $325
This is not one of those 3-wheeled carts with small, plastic casters that will only function on very smooth surfaces.
This is a very heavy duty SIX-wheeled tripod holder with 10" pneumatic tires. Want to take it on your lawn? No problem!
Also, unlike the "locking casters," this scope buggy features three heavy screws that lift the wheels off the ground. (On soft ground, it's highly recommended you place about a 4" x 4" square of wood under each screw in order to distribute the weight and any prevent the scope sinking into the soil.)
In the photographs, the tripod belongs to a Celestron CPC 1100 (11" SCT). It will easily handle a larger scope--and if the tripod legs extend wider than what's shown, it's also not a problem, as the buggy is in its narrowest configuration. It will open up quite a few inches to accommodate a tripod with a "wider stance."
The replacement cost for this item is well over $700.
The first $325 takes it home!
If you're interested or if you have any questions, please reply, or call me at 941-518-8695.
Jonathan
This is not one of those 3-wheeled carts with small, plastic casters that will only function on very smooth surfaces.
This is a very heavy duty SIX-wheeled tripod holder with 10" pneumatic tires. Want to take it on your lawn? No problem!
Also, unlike the "locking casters," this scope buggy features three heavy screws that lift the wheels off the ground. (On soft ground, it's highly recommended you place about a 4" x 4" square of wood under each screw in order to distribute the weight and any prevent the scope sinking into the soil.)
In the photographs, the tripod belongs to a Celestron CPC 1100 (11" SCT). It will easily handle a larger scope--and if the tripod legs extend wider than what's shown, it's also not a problem, as the buggy is in its narrowest configuration. It will open up quite a few inches to accommodate a tripod with a "wider stance."
The replacement cost for this item is well over $700.
The first $325 takes it home!
If you're interested or if you have any questions, please reply, or call me at 941-518-8695.
Jonathan
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Astronomy Questions and more for LGDSO members and visitors alike! / Re: Covering Sidewalk Astronomy on ABC 7 (WWSB)
« Last post by Jonathan Sabin on January 11, 2019, 08:39:28 am »The interview went pretty well, I thought... and I got a full three minutes of air time! (Interesting side note: Einstein's time-dilation theory is at play, because when you're sitting there in the studio on-camera, it only takes about 10-15 seconds to get three minutes of video!) ;-)
If you didn't happen to catch it, I've uploaded it here:
https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.sabin/posts/10155604372281627
If you didn't happen to catch it, I've uploaded it here:
https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.sabin/posts/10155604372281627
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Astronomy Questions and more for LGDSO members and visitors alike! / Re: Covering Sidewalk Astronomy on ABC 7 (WWSB)
« Last post by Ed McDonough on January 09, 2019, 06:33:30 pm »Nice Jonathan. If we have good weather I envision another replay of that last scene in the movie "Field of Dreams" with all the cars pulling in like we did with the Mars event back in July!!!
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Astronomy Questions and more for LGDSO members and visitors alike! / Re: Covering Sidewalk Astronomy on ABC 7 (WWSB)
« Last post by Andy Pyatt on January 09, 2019, 03:45:50 pm »Go get some Jonathan. Tell Mr. Scalzi to bring his telescope with him On Saturday