Search found 139 matches

by kibatme
Tue Feb 20, 2024 9:35 am
Forum: Marketplace/Exchange
Topic: WANTED: Baader solar filter film
Replies: 2
Views: 714

WANTED: Baader solar filter film

I've got a Meade ETX-125, and, 11x80 and 10x50 binoculars all needing solar filters for the upcoming eclipse. Anyone have a supply of Baader film you're willing to sell for this project? And, if not, any recommendations for bulk suppliers of the material?
by kibatme
Sat Oct 14, 2023 11:16 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: The largest optical telescope that will ever be built?
Replies: 2
Views: 1849

Re: The largest optical telescope that will ever be built?

Just finished watching the video. Your phrase "...covers some basics about big telescopes.." makes me smile. There are absolutely no 'basics' involved here. Simply stunning when you consider it's 430+ tons of metal and glass requiring nanometers worth of precision both mechanically and opt...
by kibatme
Mon Oct 02, 2023 5:26 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Webb and JuMBO discovery
Replies: 1
Views: 1821

Webb and JuMBO discovery

Amazing -- seems the universe still has a few surprises up its celestial sleeve.

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-66974738
by kibatme
Mon Oct 02, 2023 4:44 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Astrocalendar 2024 (Guy Ottewell)
Replies: 1
Views: 2265

Re: Astrocalendar 2024 (Guy Ottewell)

I have a 2023 copy, and while parts of it are similar to his original artwork, some - like the monthly star charts - are disappointing. Quality of the paper isn't up to par as far as I recall the originals. The smaller format is more convenient, but the details his charts and diagrams suffer from th...
by kibatme
Wed Sep 06, 2023 4:40 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Cataracts
Replies: 17
Views: 9492

Re: Cataracts

Thanks to everyone who chimed in on this topic. Had my pre-op evaluation today, first surgery on the 26th. Opted for intermediate distance monofocal IOL as a compromise between the vision extremes of my hobby interests (i.e., astronomy vs. fly fishing). Talked with my doc about the potential for a w...
by kibatme
Thu May 25, 2023 1:27 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Cataracts
Replies: 17
Views: 9492

Re: Cataracts

This past week I learned that my fuzzy right-eye vision is due to a new cataract. I intend to have the surgery in the next couple of months, but I'd like to learn from others with this experience. Specifically, I need to decide if I should have my new lens provide distance vision, or near vision. I...
by kibatme
Tue Jan 17, 2023 9:52 pm
Forum: MAS Electronic Media & Book Group
Topic: "OK, Barb... Lock me!"
Replies: 1
Views: 2281

Re: "OK, Barb... Lock me!"

Wow -- what a blast from the past! Definitely brought a smile and a chuckle -- good to see so many friends from the 'good old days' just doing what they could with what they had available at the time to bring the universe to the public!
by kibatme
Sun Nov 27, 2022 5:02 pm
Forum: MAS Electronic Media & Book Group
Topic: UPDATE: Farewell to Ottewell's Astronomical Calendar - IT'S BACK!!
Replies: 11
Views: 5855

Re: Farewell to Ottewell's Astronomical Calendar

His website noted that the old hard copies were printed in two color, but the PDFs for 2022 and 2023 are four color. What is used for the 2023 hard copy? Just got my copy, and it's full color. I'm nostalgic for the original 'large' format, and I'm not a fan of the cheap paper used in the new editio...
by kibatme
Thu Oct 27, 2022 3:36 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Questions about Eagle Lake public star party
Replies: 2
Views: 2784

Re: Questions about Eagle Lake public star party

Hi, Steve -- welcome to the MAS! You are certainly welcome to bring your telescope. Depending on the crowd size and interest you may be approached by visitors with questions or requests to look through your scope, so be prepared for that. Aside from the sidewalks and the circular plaza in front of O...
by kibatme
Mon Sep 26, 2022 5:31 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Bill Volna article
Replies: 8
Views: 6669

Re: Bill Volna article

A visit to Bill's shop many years ago was simply mind-blowing. What an amazing collection of equipment, gear, parts, tools, etc. My favorite memory of Bill was a night at Metcalf when he brought the Tardis out. The evening was chilly, but the interior of the Tardis was toasty. Bill had a tendency to...
by kibatme
Mon Jul 04, 2022 2:16 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Saturn's Large Moon Titan Will Occult an 8th Magnitude Star July 9th
Replies: 4
Views: 4360

Re: Saturn's Large Moon Titan Will Occult an 8th Magnitude Star July 9th

My experience with the 1989 event is detailed in the October 89 issue of Gemini. I've long since lost the raw data I collected from the event, but a summary of the results and a description of the process I used are included in the article. I still have a Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 102 computer (not t...
by kibatme
Fri Jun 24, 2022 7:00 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Bell Museum planet parties 6/24, 6/25
Replies: 3
Views: 2975

Re: Bell Museum planet parties 6/24, 6/25

I set an alarm for 2am figuring I would head to ELO if weather looked promising, but Bloomington skies were totally overcast, so back to bed for me. :cry:
by kibatme
Thu May 12, 2022 12:27 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Image of Sagittarius A* - the black hole of our galaxy
Replies: 2
Views: 1310

Re: Image of Sagittarius A* - the black hole of our galaxy

Video from yesterday's press conference announcing the image: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ws0iPDSqI4
by kibatme
Fri Mar 18, 2022 7:56 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Sunshine Protection Act
Replies: 11
Views: 2593

Re: Sunshine Protection Act

I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks this is weird. I've long wanted to get rid of Daylight Saving Time because it was an arbitrary hassle that saved nothing. Getting rid of Standard Time doesn't make any sense to me. High noon will forever be at 1pm. <sigh> Hopefully they'll include funding t...
by kibatme
Fri Mar 18, 2022 9:31 am
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Sunshine Protection Act
Replies: 11
Views: 2593

Re: Sunshine Protection Act

Standard time should be just that -- THE standard time for the US. Particularly important for northern tier states, where nights are longer and sunrises later. Adding an extra hour of darkness creates a number of problems / risks when applying DST year round. And there is substantial scientific evid...
by kibatme
Mon Nov 15, 2021 10:51 am
Forum: Forum Help, Comments
Topic: Wordfence: access rejected
Replies: 4
Views: 5566

Re: Wordfence: access rejected

Ope -- I can access the site now...all is well!
by kibatme
Sun Nov 14, 2021 10:06 pm
Forum: Forum Help, Comments
Topic: Wordfence: access rejected
Replies: 4
Views: 5566

Re: Wordfence: access rejected

I'd followed an out-of-date bookmark just prior to getting this error, accessing what appeared to be an old version of the site at http://forums.mnastro.org/. Perhaps that accounts for the problem?
by kibatme
Sun Nov 14, 2021 9:47 pm
Forum: Forum Help, Comments
Topic: Wordfence: access rejected
Replies: 4
Views: 5566

Wordfence: access rejected

Not a forum issue, but when I access the main site (www.mnastro.org) I'm rejected by Wordfence with the following error message:

Block Technical Data
Block Reason: Exceeded the maximum number of page not found errors per minute for humans.
Time: Mon, 15 Nov 2021 3:45:10 GMT

What's up with that?
by kibatme
Sat Aug 15, 2020 1:40 pm
Forum: Space Exploration
Topic: Apollo: A Game Inspired by NASA Moon Missions
Replies: 0
Views: 1916

Apollo: A Game Inspired by NASA Moon Missions

Thanks to the 'at home' time we've had to endure, I have rediscovered board games. Bit of a challenge to find players, but there are plenty of solo / two-player games or variants to keep my wife and me entertained. Recently came across a 2020 release -- "Apollo: A Game Inspired by NASA Moon Mis...
by kibatme
Sat Aug 01, 2020 9:29 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Possible Spotting of Dragon Spacecraft Saturday August 1st if the Undocking Occurs as Scheduled
Replies: 4
Views: 665

Re: Possible Spotting of Dragon Spacecraft Saturday August 1st if the Undocking Occurs as Scheduled

Enjoyed watching the pass of ISS and Dragon in formation. Saw the ISS first totally by accident and then noticed Dragon tracking just ahead of it.

Oh and no binoculars needed to see Dragon!
by kibatme
Thu Jul 30, 2020 11:05 am
Forum: Beginners SIG
Topic: Camp grounds for good viewing
Replies: 5
Views: 1047

Re: Camp grounds for good viewing

I've observed at Forrestville / Mystery Cave SP. There is a nice location immediately west of the electric site campground loop, marked on the map as 'angler parking'. I recall site lines were pretty decent. I don't remember 'potty' locations nearby, but you are right by the camper cabins and may be...
by kibatme
Tue Mar 12, 2019 1:48 pm
Forum: MAS Electronic Media & Book Group
Topic: Apollo 11 Movie
Replies: 6
Views: 3802

Re: Apollo 11 Movie

Well as the saying goes ... you snooze, you lose. No current IMAX showings in the metro. :( Guess I'll settle for a boring old digital showing this weekend.
by kibatme
Wed Nov 14, 2018 12:14 pm
Forum: Forum Help, Comments
Topic: Is Post count working?
Replies: 10
Views: 7185

Re: Is Post count working?