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Yesterday was a beautiful day. I decided to ride my bicycle on the old railroad trail from north of Traverse City to Suttons Bay. The times I've done this before, I have started at the 7 mile marker and ridden ten miles to the end. The parking lot at the 7 mile point was full, however, so I drove to the 8-mile marker.
This was a good thing, as it turned out. It was windy, and this particular trail is uphill both ways, so by the time I reached Suttons Bay, I was tired. I needed refreshment, so I went a few more blocks to Enerdyne, the only nearby astronomy shop. Dick Cookman was in, a man who has forgotten more about astronomy than I will ever know. For some reason, I was seduced into buying a TeleVue 5 mm Radian eyepiece. New old stock, no longer in production. Dick has some goodies stashed away. Gorgeous EP. My AT 80EDT will handle this on good nights. I've squeezed out views with an 11 mm Plossl with 3x Barlow a few times with that scope on special occasions, and regularly use a 7mm Nagler with it, so I feel optimistic.
Meant to try it last night, but alas, that didn't happen. By the time I biked back, I was beat. Despite my best intentions, I hit the sack before dark, around 8:30, and crashed. Old age is not for wimps.
Tonight is supposed to be cloudy, but if Jupiter and Saturn peek through, I will be out there.
notFritzArgelander wrote: ↑Sun Aug 25, 2019 7:27 pm
The Radians are very nice! The wind is high here today complete with dust. I have hopes for Monday, though.
Thanks, nFA! I'm excited about it. I was surprised how heavy it is. Hope you get some good viewing soon.
Good for you, Mary, sounds like a great day! and I love your comment, "For some reason, I was seduced into buying a TeleVue 5 mm Radian eyepiece" I love it. That's the same reason I had to stop going to KW Telescope when I was in the area for work... After the third "seduction", it really started to add up!
Enjoy the new eyepiece and I hope your skies clear up.
All the best,
Mark
"The Hankmeister" Celestron 8SE, orange tube Vixen made C80, CG4, AZ-EQ5 and SolarQuest mounts.
Too much Towa glass/mirrors.
Solar:
H/A - PST stage 2 mod with a Baader 90mm ERF on a Celestron XLT 102 (thanks Mike!)
Ca-K - W/O 61mm, Antares 1.6 barlow, Baader 3.8 OD and Ca-K filters with a ZWO ASI174mm.
W/L - C80-HD with Baader 5.0 & 3.8 Solar film, Solar Continuum 7.5nm and UV/IR filters with a Canon EOS 550D.
Member of the RASC
A very nice eyepiece Mary.
If you want to try some other focal lengths in the future but cannot find used ones the Vixen LVW are an excellent choice and has a 65° AFOV.
A lot of people combine the two sets to get more focal lengths, just avoid the 12mm Radian, the weak one of the line.
Gabrielle See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885 EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102 Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1000101) The only culture I have is from yogurt
Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Mon Aug 26, 2019 6:11 pm
A very nice eyepiece Mary.
If you want to try some other focal lengths in the future but cannot find used ones the Vixen LVW are an excellent choice and has a 65° AFOV.
A lot of people combine the two sets to get more focal lengths, just avoid the 12mm Radian, the weak one of the line.
Thanks, Gabby. I'm still waiting to try the new Radian. Clouds and rain are here now.
Nice pick-up Mary especially after a long bicycle ride. I hope you enjoy the new glass!
-Michael Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50 Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl Camera: ZWO ASI 120 Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs Latitude: 48.7229° N