Search found 89 matches

by RussD
Sat Jan 20, 2024 12:06 pm
Forum: Marketplace/Exchange
Topic: 8 inch ~f7 mirror, secondary, and Aluminum Tube
Replies: 2
Views: 1496

8 inch ~f7 mirror, secondary, and Aluminum Tube

Hey Folks, I acquired this years ago and it needs a good home. It is an 8inch mirror (1.25" thick) about f7 in a likely Novak mirror cell for about a 9.5" ID OTA. The secondary is 1.24 x 2.5 and 0.5 inch thick. Can include large aluminum tube that fits the mirror cell at no extra cost. No ...
by RussD
Sat Jan 06, 2024 11:29 am
Forum: Marketplace/Exchange
Topic: MEADE ETX 125 and 497 Controller *SOLD*
Replies: 0
Views: 1575

MEADE ETX 125 and 497 Controller *SOLD*

*SOLD* Hi All, I am selling this for a neighbor who is downsizing. I have tested the basic functions and things seem to be working. I added a power supply that seems to work fine. The finder needs some care as it comes apart and the cross hairs are damaged. One of the plastic set screws on the finde...
by RussD
Mon Jan 01, 2024 3:37 pm
Forum: Marketplace/Exchange
Topic: ES Twilight II Alt-Az Mount *SOLD*
Replies: 3
Views: 1717

Re: ES Twilight II Alt-Az Mount

OK! I just sent you a msg.

Russ
by RussD
Sun Dec 31, 2023 2:57 pm
Forum: Marketplace/Exchange
Topic: ES Twilight II Alt-Az Mount *SOLD*
Replies: 3
Views: 1717

ES Twilight II Alt-Az Mount *SOLD*

*SOLD* IMG_20231231_143641877.jpg IMG_20231231_143636643.jpg I have a really nice Explore Scientific Twilight II Alt-Az Mount for sale. It has been in storage for a few years but it is in fantastic shape. Has a nice heavy duty tripod and a vertical extension so it is more useful. This is a really go...
by RussD
Fri Sep 15, 2023 7:38 am
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Eclipse Glasses Source : American Paper Optics
Replies: 0
Views: 5987

Eclipse Glasses Source : American Paper Optics

Hi Folks, I just received a large order of eclipse glasses from American Paper Optics for myself and some teachers at my school. https://www.3dglassesonline.com/ Just wanted to let you know they arrived quickly and it is a good place to get glasses. I dont think there will be a lack of eclipse glass...
by RussD
Sun Jun 20, 2021 8:25 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: I am on Planetary Radio again....
Replies: 1
Views: 539

I am on Planetary Radio again....

He Folks, My friends at The Planetary Society asked me to be on the Planetary Radio Podcast and Radio Show. The longer version is here. I ended up being featured which was news to me! https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/shoemaker-neo-awardees-venus-missions I hope you take some time to listen....
by RussD
Mon Dec 23, 2019 9:59 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Russ Durkee on Planetary Science Radio
Replies: 3
Views: 822

Re: Russ Durkee on Planetary Science Radio

Thank you everyone. It is an honor for sure and will go a long way to help my work continue.

Russ
by RussD
Wed Dec 26, 2018 3:32 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Bright Meteor Reported in Far Norther Metro.
Replies: 10
Views: 1243

Re: Bright Meteor Reported in Far Norther Metro.

My mom used to work for a county in NW MN. One day a farmer came in with a BIG iron meteorite he found in a field around 1971. She used it as a door stop in the office for years until donating it to the local historical society. As a kid I recall visiting it at least once a year. It remained there f...
by RussD
Tue Mar 13, 2018 9:38 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: OH NO!
Replies: 8
Views: 1256

Re: OH NO!

I was there a few years ago for a teacher workshop and the the U of Chicago presence was almost gone already. The famed machine shop was still there but mostly unused. There were a few active offices at the time downstairs. There is book storage on the second floor full of rare books that was being ...
by RussD
Sun Jun 04, 2017 6:59 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Steve the Gas Stream
Replies: 8
Views: 1174

Re: Steve the Gas Stream

I remember seeing this type of "rope aurora" in the 1980s from my backyard in central Minnesota. They were really common for one particular summer. That animation captures what I recall seeing pretty well but I viewed it stretching from horizon to horizon and watching it "flow" a...
by RussD
Fri May 05, 2017 12:53 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Thursday Night 5/4 Presentation Topic
Replies: 10
Views: 1709

Re: Thursday Night 5/4 Presentation Topic

Thanks everyone for the support and positive feedback. It was fun for me too.

A number of people suggested options for placing the large scope in a dark location. Please contact me if you would like to continue that conversation offline.

Russ
by RussD
Wed May 03, 2017 1:12 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Thursday Night 5/4 Presentation Topic
Replies: 10
Views: 1709

Thursday Night 5/4 Presentation Topic

Hi Folks, I am going to be giving the talk at the Thursday meeting. My overall topic is "15 Years of Backyard Research". I will be talking about the current setup of my observatory, past and present work with photometry, student projects, and spectroscopy... Many of you have heard me talk ...
by RussD
Sun Jul 17, 2016 1:19 pm
Forum: Forum Help, Comments
Topic: Access to smilies
Replies: 8
Views: 6804

Re: Access to smilies

seriously....I found two places where smiles can be activated in the forums. It looks to me like they are both turned on and you should see them based on your rights. If you still cannot use smiles then I am missing something.... They have not yet taken away my admin rights.... BWAAAHAHAHAHAH :evil:...
by RussD
Sun Jul 17, 2016 1:15 pm
Forum: Forum Help, Comments
Topic: Access to smilies
Replies: 8
Views: 6804

Re: Access to smilies

Deane Clark wrote:ping. Is anybody checking this forum?
no:)
by RussD
Sun Mar 03, 2013 9:07 pm
Forum: Forum Help, Comments
Topic: MAS behind closed doors
Replies: 4
Views: 5333

Re: MAS behind closed doors

Hi Dave, I can give you a little into on this. My recollection is that the whole subject regarding what is open to un-registerd folks and what is only visible to those with accounts will be under discussion by the board in an upcoming meeting. Since I am no longer a board member I am not sure what t...
by RussD
Mon Oct 29, 2012 10:14 am
Forum: Forum Help, Comments
Topic: Can't Upload Photos to the Forum
Replies: 4
Views: 813

Re: Can't Upload Photos to the Forum

Thanks for letting me know.
I think I got it fixed. Try it out and let me know if I need to make additional changes.

Russ
Forum Admin on Duty
by RussD
Fri Jun 29, 2012 10:42 am
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Astronomers Estate Sale
Replies: 0
Views: 428

Astronomers Estate Sale

Hi Folks, This is a heads up for a good estate sale that is going on today and tomorrow. It was the home of Sherman Schultz one of MAS founding fathers who passed away in January. I spoke to his son Dave who was there and he said is father would have especially appreciated that his books and astro g...
by RussD
Thu Jun 28, 2012 8:30 pm
Forum: Forum Help, Comments
Topic: Deleting sold items
Replies: 1
Views: 559

Re: Deleting sold items

Hi Dave, The marketplace forums are setup to automatically purge old ads. I set it to delete ads that are older than 30 days that have not been viewed in 30 days or more. I have not yet been able to find the reason why you cannot delete your own post however. In the mean time, if you have a post you...
by RussD
Fri Aug 05, 2011 1:49 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Wayside Observatory, Minnetonka Code 855
Replies: 6
Views: 1945

Re: Wayside Observatory, Minnetonka Code 855

Hi David, Good to hear you are still doing asteroid work. It is not very difficult to get your own observatory code. The details are listed on the MPC site somewhere, but all you have to do is take some data on a known asteroid and report its position using one of the astrometry packages that are ou...
by RussD
Thu Aug 04, 2011 8:44 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Wayside Observatory, Minnetonka Code 855
Replies: 6
Views: 1945

Re: Wayside Observatory, Minnetonka Code 855

Hi David, That is Todd Giencke's observatory. He was active in MAS ten or more years ago. I know he was into imaging quite early and I found this link with some information. He must have been active in the Deep Impact project. http://stsp.astro.umd.edu/observers/roster00.shtml#tgiencke In order to r...
by RussD
Thu Jun 16, 2011 2:20 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: "Seeing" question
Replies: 1
Views: 432

Re: "Seeing" question

I have an idea, I am sure we can guess what it is.... I have some numbers on this. I can contact him.


Russ
by RussD
Tue May 03, 2011 12:16 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Weather Balloon Space Probe Project
Replies: 66
Views: 5726

Re: Weather Balloon Space Probe Project

Just got a notice from The Works in Edina. Sounds like they have their own space shot happening this weekend in Plymouth!

http://library.constantcontact.com/down ... orld+2.pdf

Russ
by RussD
Sat Dec 25, 2010 1:52 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Weather Balloon Space Probe Project
Replies: 66
Views: 5726

Re: Weather Balloon Space Probe Project

I came across this the other day and thought of this project. This is packed with good ideas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSagu8GWMe8

Russ
by RussD
Mon Dec 13, 2010 3:27 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Asteroid 596 Scheila's new tail...
Replies: 3
Views: 679

Re: Asteroid 596 Scheila's new tail...

I reworked the image with a new flat and the results look a bit more like what others are seeing. I still have a light leak somewhere in my system, but this is looking a bit better.

[album]1652[/album]



Russ