Review: A Tale of Two Observatories: Darby Falls and Magellan

[iceman]

Hi all

Matthew Kendall (g__day) has written a review of his experiences at the two named observatories.

You can read his review on the IceInSpace Reviews (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/?reviews) page, or directly by clicking on the link below:

A Tale of Two Observatories: Darby Falls and Magellan (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.php?id=85,365,0,0,1,0)

Thanks to Matthew for writing the review!

If you'd like to contribute a review, article or other content for IceInSpace, please contact me.

[iceman]

Review uploaded.

[g__day]

Mike, thanks - hope folk enjoy these, I sent some piccys of the place to you at around 5pm after I got your suggestion if you'd like to link them to the article.

Hope folk find this of use!

Guys and Gals - Any questions you have I am happy to try and fully answer!

PS

Some piccys of the places,scopes and hosts, including Zane's shot of comet McNaught

[Omaroo]

Although I have not yet been to Darby, Zane Hammond is probably the reason that I have taken up the hobby to the extent that i have. His gear is wonderful, his enthusiasm is infectious and to top it off he is one of the nicest people you'd ever hope to meet.

[g__day]

Totally agree there. Interestingly Zane comment folk often come and want to use their gear (normally OTAs) on his mounts, and its often mid range gear or lower. Zane has particularily well configured scopes, mounts and CCDs for the beginner to the advanced user to handle, you really don't have to bring that much, just be prepared to learn and leverage alot of good equipment there at your disposal!

[iceman]

I've updated the article on the site with the pictures.

[astroboy]

Thanks Matthew ( and Chris ) for your kind comments .
Wow never realized people thought I so highly of me , I was aiming for more of a Basil Fawlty type persona , guess I had better keep working on it;) .
I guess I try to under sell the place and have people feel they got a bit more than they bargained for , plus being a certified telescope nut I like to have good gear but it probably goes unnoticed by some guests that aren't so experianced.

Thanks again:thumbsup:
Zane

[g__day]

Zane - why not post a few shots of your gear... The more folk realise what your observatory is capable of, the better off everyone could be!

[astroboy]

Good idea Matthew
Here some pics of the line up of toys that are going into the website soon , they are
LXD55 mount with Nikkor 300 F4.5 ED and Modded Canon 350D that Octane has been using.
LXD55 with an Intes Micro MN74 a 180 mm F4 Mak Newt with JMI motofocus , not quite sure if I will keep this scope or the Borg.
Tak EM200 with Borg 125 APO F5.3 with flattener reducer.
Losmandy G11 with a 10" F3.5 ( actualy a Meade 10" SN with APO flatener/reducer ) and ST2000 in the 2.3 meter dome.
JMI NGT18 and TV BinoVue
SDM 24" F3.7 ( Dobzilla ) with ServoCat and Argo Navis , with hot and cold running ferrets and Fiona and I in the 4.5 meter dome.
Theres also quite a few other cameras and lenes but that pretty much covers it.
We now also have more economical accommodation up in the observatory itself now , this will be shown in our web site soon.

Thanks
Zane

[Digby]

Hi Zane,
I know the 24'' scope is a recent addition. Can you tell me what your inpressions are with the fast f3.7 mirror?
Regards, Paul

[astroboy]

Hi Paul
I use the scope with a TV Paracorr and Naglers and find it to be very sharp over the field , Steve Kennedy tests his mirrors on stars at 1000X to test the figure , they cost about $1000 USD more than the run of the mill F5's from other makers but IMO are well worth the money.

Thanks
Zane

[Digby]

Hello Zane,
Thanks, for getting back on that. I would love to have a session one evening,
and compare the views with my 12" Binoscope.

Regards,
Paul

[Omaroo]

Oh..Oh.... when??

Paul - the Macarthur Astro Soc. are going down to Zanes' before too long for a weekend. Do you want to come on down with us at all?

Cheers
Chris

[astroboy]

Sounds great Paul
I've not looked trough a large binocular telescope since having a play with Mark Sutchtings 8s many years ago at SPSP.
I use a TV Bino Vue with the 24 be good to compare.

Zane

[Digby]

Hi Zane,
Mark was also responsible for the twin 12" mirrors on my scope.Also a great
source of knowledge on all things to do with Binoscopes.With out his input,I
doubt the scope would have happened. How dark are the skies down your way?

Regards,
Paul

PS. Sorry Chris,
I did not see your post till now. What weekend are you guys going
down?

[astroboy]

Hi Paul
For what its worth the best I have done with the naked eye is mag 6.9 but I've heard of other places with similar skies that claim 7.4 so I guess it depends on the observer or what he's been drinking:P .
In short pretty dark :)

Thanks
Zane

[Omaroo]

Sorry Paul - it looks like we'll be crossing dates by attending the SPSP instead. Those MAS members that aren't going to SPSP will be going to Magellan though.