From: Mark Gaffney <markgaffney@me.com>

Date: February 3, 2010 9:31:14 AM MST

To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [Astro_IIDC] Adaptive optics...

Willie,

 If you`re away somewhat from potential thieves & can leave your scope outside & set-up you could perhaps think about a Telegizmous scope cover for your C11. I have one for my C9.25! I`ve been checking it regularly when there was gap in the quite heavy rain we were having here & basically I was getting just a little moisture in the central part of the mount-this never seems to accumulate near the plug in points of my CG-5 mount. I dry it off in the sun or with a towel when I get the chance. I have another large plastic tarp wrapped around the base of the tripod which is keeping dry & as I say it`s been quite heavy rain here! You might have heard I`ve had water intrude behind the corrector before which necessitated removal & cleaning when using my old set up with 2, sometimes 3 plastic tarps. I`ve been quite nervous about leaving it out even though polar alignment comes at a premium! I`ve heard of people in the States using these scope covers in snow or heat what have you. I understand you`re in Texas aren`t you so maybe snow dosen`t happen there-I don`t know? Anyway here`s the type you`d need;

http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=9157&kw=scope%20covers%20&st=1

Mark.

On 04/02/2010, at 2:55 AM, Willie Strickland wrote:

As much as I like gadgets, I figure I wont be spending any money on AO, at least until I am convinced that is what is holding me back. I havent even had my own scope set up in over 3 months.

One of these days I will have my own shed so I can leave it setup and maybe that will help. I live in a rural area and often wake up early in the morning or check the sky before going to bed and enjoy the wonder of the sky with my naked eye. If I had the scope ready to turn on and go, I would use it. That will be the next major chunk of money I spend on astronomy.

I get quite inspired by the images posted on this group and at least it keeps me plugging along.

Willie

On Feb 3, 2010, at 9:24 AM, Mark Gaffney wrote:

> I`m thinking if I start saving in early April (when I have my main credit card back below limit) I might be able to afford one by say 6 months after that- $2395 price tag for it here in Australia. After some experimenting with the native software on my PC I could loan it to Milton to do his job...These are just conjectures on my part at this stage..?!