Last updated on
4/11/2006

You are visitor number

 

 Home
   � Who Am I

 Cassegrain Telescope Basics
   � Cassegrain Optics (OTAs)
   � Cassegrain Mounts
   � What�s So Special About a U2K? (& U2K tips from Yahoo Groups )

 Visual Observing with Cassegrain Scopes
   � Learning to See and Predicting Viewing Conditions
         � Estimating Viewing Conditions Using Ursa Minor, and the position of the Jet Stream
   � Sky Chart Software (locating faint objects, and dimming your computer screen)
   � Books on Observing (one set of possibilities to keep you occupied on cloudy nights <grin>)
   � Observing Lists (downloadable files including my 1200-object list)
   � Hubble Photographs of the Planets

 Tips for Using Cassegrain Scopes
   � Additional Items You Need to Have
       � Dew Prevention
       � Observing Chairs
   � Additional Accessories that are Nice to Have
       � A Telescope Cover (& preserving your scope�s alignment)
       � Observing the Sun
       � A Dovetail Plate (Mounting items on top of your scope)
       � A Rich-Field Scope (and Minus-Violet Filters)
   � A Discussion of Eyepieces (and Eyepiece Review Web Sites)
       � Eyepiece Terminology Basics (and eyepiece formulas)
       � Diagonals 4/11/06
       � Field of View Calculator
       � Making Your Eyepieces Parfocal (and Balanced)
       � My Eyepieces (and a list of wide-FOV eyepieces)
   � Items You Can Make
       � A Tripod Eyepiece Tray
       � An Eyepiece Case
       � Mounting a NexStar Hand Controller on Your Tripod
       � Balance Weights
       � A Permanent Pier
       � An Observer�s Chair
       � A Storage Stand for an SCT (Avoid that heavy lifting) 
   � Balancing an SCT
   � Maintenance
       � Collimating Your SCT
       � Cleaning Your Optics  

 Astrophotography Basics
   � 35mm Cameras and Film
       � Calculating Focal Ratios for Eyepiece Projection Photography
   � Consumer Digital Cameras (Digicams)
       � Why Digicams Can�t Take Long Exposures
       � Direct Digicam-to-Eyepiece Adapters
       � Eyepiece Projection Adapters
       � Clamp-On Digicam Adapters
   � Astronomical CCD Cameras
       � Theremoelectric Cooling
       � Choosing a CCD Camera
           � A Discussion of Some CCD Parameters
   � Using a Webcam for Planetary Photography
   � Astrophotography Accessories (including a discussion of Focal Reducers)
       � Polar Alignment with the Polaris Finderscope
       � Equatorial Wedges
       � Better Focus Options (including Electric Focus Motors)
       � Guiding an SCT
               � Guide Scopes versus Off-Axis (Radial) Guiders
               � CCD Autoguiders
   � The Celestron Fastar System and the SBIG ST-237 CCD Camera

 Glossaries of common amateur observing, star database, and DSO database terms

 Links  
       � Used Equipment Site Links
       � Links to Equipment Review Sites

___________________________________________________________________________________