starsinmyeyes

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Posts posted by starsinmyeyes

  1. Posted

    Lollypop, don't be tempted. It takes a long time to research which scope will suit you. Camera shops are not really the best place to buy one. You need to be sure that you can trust they sell good quality scopes with a guarantee that you can go to them for help or service.

     

    meade.com has a questionaire that you can try to see what size and type of scope may be suitable for you and your situation. There are other brands like Celestron, Televue ......

     

    There is a invaluable book called 'Starware' by Phillip Harrington which also has a questionaire and all sorts of wonderful advice and cautions when purchasing. Borrow it from your library or state library as it is quite expensive to buy ( A$90 in 1999) before you buy anything!

     

    There are many factors to think about:

    level of interest

    budget

    type of mount

    sturdiness of mount (this is where most scopes fall down- as the mount is unsturdy and vibrates rendering the scope useless!)quality of optics

    viewing only or astrophotography as well

    portability

    viewing planets mostly/deep sky objects or both

    computer control or not

    dobsonian/schmidt cassegrain/schmidt newtonian/refractor........

     

    I wouldn't buy one just for the Mars opposition as you will regret it. It took me three years of steady research, talking to other amateurs and taking opportunities to look through different types of scopes and sizes of scopes to finally decide.

     

    For the opposition as I said, if you don't have a scope find a local person with a scope or local group, look through theirs and then talk to them about their scopes if you are still serious about buying one.

     

    Email me if you are still unsure if want to ask questions because it is bamboozlling. I've been there and done that! :look:

  3. Posted

    Roguedawg

     

    I just wish I could get my nephews interested in reading.Too much tv is not good('cept,Star Trek,of course).

     

    How old are your nephews?

     

    I had a class of mostly boys aged 9-12 who just weren't hooked into reading. Then they discovered Emily Rodda's books The Deltora Series and now they just devour books. The series 8 books in all are fairly easy to read with adventure, horrible creatures, goodies and baddies and puzzles to solve.

     

    Help this helps.

  5. Posted

    I agree...it would have to be Pern.

     

    After 'All the Weyrs of Pern'... maybe a delemia..would it be ethical for Enterprise to help the Pernese stop thread forever? Actually help fulfill F'nor's attempts to reach the Red Star and get rid of thread's threat forever or leave the dragonriders to tackle the problem on their own.

     

    Would Leesa and F'lar accept help from outsiders after all the troubles they had with the Oldtimers last time? Would a sudden surcease of thread cause too many problems or is it better for dragonriders to adapt to other roles for the next Pass and continue the seeding of the Northern continent with grubs.

     

    Can you imagine the thrill for Jaxom and Ruth, Benelek and Master Fandarel to visit Enterprise. Keep Benelek and Fandarel away from engineering they would never leave! F'nor would be thrilled to reach the Red Star finally and in safety finish his task.

     

    Imagine the songs Menolly would write. How would Masterharper Sebell handle the political sensitivity of Enterprise's visit? Of course, in the true tradition of Master Harper Robinton.

     

    Link to Pern 101 - to learn all about Anne's world-

    http://www.randomhouse.com/delrey/pern/per...rn/pern101.html

     

    What fun!

  7. Posted

    Guys! Get the telescopes out now. Mars is at its best from now until late September. At the moment one polar cap is visible and many dark features are also visible. Wait until Mars is fairly high above the horizon as the image will be less turbulent and clearer. If you don't have a polarising filter to go onto your eyepiece, get one. The filter will cut the glare and the image will improve. Also when looking at Mars remember not to look straight down the eyepiece at the planet but look to the side of the eyepiece and you will see more details (peripheral vision).

     

    This site lists some of the equipment that you may use on a scope to improve your view. If only we could afford it all!

     

    http://www.yorkoptical.com.au/index.htm

     

    If you don't have a telescope, look in your local newspaper as there may be a local astronomy group; or do a search on the internet as some astronomy groups link to major astronomy sites; or just ask around.

     

    As the day of opposition approaches you may find an astronomy group will hold a field night at a local park/school so keep your eyes peeled. Members of astronomy groups are very friendly and are happiest when they find a new ear to talk to about their favourite topic!

     

    If you don't have a scope get out each night and watch Mars - it is an incredible colour.

     

    Enjoy

  8. Posted

    Was looking for somewhere to talk about a Trek episode one night and begrudgingly clicked on ST.com chat session (I'd been there before and wasn't impressed). Thank you to the person who posted the message on that board.

     

    Great work everybody! Hey! Just noticed the spell check. Yeah! :P

  12. Posted

    Extrovert, Sensor, Feeler, Judger. You share a basic personality configuration with Leonard McCoy.

     

    Click for Spoiler:

    People like you are generally concerned about others and work hard to be of service. You're friendly, affectionate, outgoing and talkative. You're polite when it's appropriate, willing to take risks to help others, and cooperative, especially when you perceive that you're part of a team. You enjoy action, but you're a realist and quite literal. You're also organized and responsible. You love things that are time-honored.

     

    You're conscientious, almost to a fault at times. You're very sensitive to others and get your feelings hurt easily.

     

    Your primary goal in life is creating exceptional relationships and helping people in tangible, practical ways. Your reward is to be appreciated and relied upon, as well as to respected, particularly in regards to your ethics.

     

    Good careers for your type include personal fitness trainer, exercise physiologist, travel agent, innkeeper, veterinarian, and employee assistance counselor.

  19. Posted

    Didn't know that I've watched so many 60's shows.....Well golleeeee!

    Fond of: Gilligan's Isle, Get Smart, F Troop, Green Acres,Bewitched, Hogan's Heroes, Beverley Hillbillys- don't have any on tape though.

     

    Grew up watching as reruns mind you: Dr Who, I Dream of Jeannie, The Munsters, Addam's Family, The Jetsons, The Flintstones, Rocky and Bullwinkle.....

     

    When I had cable tv, I found myself watching:The Flying Nun, The Monkees, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, The Big Valley, Mission Impossible, The Time Tunnel, The Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock Presents....

     

    OMG- I think I have square eyes...don't let me start listing 70's shows...

  22. Posted

    As I haven't seen all episodes of TNG- this list is likely to change :)

    Season 1: The Big Goodbye

    Season 2: Elementary Dear Data

    Season 3: The Offspring

    Season 4: The Host (haven't seen much of this season)

    Season 5: Time's Arrow

    Season 6: Chain of Command ( a really good season- too hard to choose)

    Season 7: Masks (Same as above- too hard to choose)

     

    Thanks for this thread. I now know which season set I need to buy next- Season 4. B)

  23. Posted

    We live in large populations, where I think we may have lost the 'community spirit'. Unlike in my Grandfather's day -We don't tend to know about the average Joe Blow who volunteers large slices of time to a worthy cause, or the person who saved the local children during a flood.....

     

    We live in an age where technology has helped us to achieve many great things. I think we take deeds and achievements for granted and tend not to acknowledge effort/bravery/inguenity/generosity/compassion. I applaud programs in communities where we step back and acknowledge people who contribute to society in a special way, including programs which acknowledge our parents and families.

     

    When I watched a documentary on the climbing of Everest, I was impressed, that with limited technology and with limited help, Tenzing Norgay and Hillary accomplished such an incredible feat. Would I be so impressed if the climb was completed for the first time yesterday with all of the technological equipment climbers use today?

     

    Men landing on the Moon- incredible- but I'm sure many of us don't take the time to think about the achievements being made today by men and women in the space program, medical science, and everyday life....

     

    Maybe we all just have to take time out to find out what is happening around us and consider who we admire and why? :)

  24. Posted

    Everyting except Modern Dance and Poetry Reading.

     

    Top four choices: Art Exhibition, Opera, Symphony, Theatre/Musical.

    Opera/Musicals:Loved Carmina Burana, Die Fledimaus (sp?), Slyvia,Lucia De Lammermore (sp?), Merry Widow, Cats, Phantom

    Plays- P.S. Your Cat Is Dead, Nine

    At the Art Gallery- Surrealist Painters, Van Gogh, Leonardo Di Vinci, Pre Raphaelites, and Pop Art exhibitions.

    Symphony- Would love to hear Berloiz's Symphonie Fantastique one day.

    Love to spend a day at the Cultural Centre...just so expensive...like everyone else I just don't get there often enough for my liking.