Artificial Star using Christmas tree ornament ?

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konza
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Artificial Star using Christmas tree ornament ?

#1

Post by konza »


Long ago i came across a mention of using a round Christmas tree ornament to reflect sunlight (Earth's very own star), using it as an artifical star. Can't find the reference to it now to save my life. Is this a viable option? As it is the Christmas season ornaments are easy to come by. If so, I would assume silver colored ones would be the item of choice.

Seasons Greetings and Peace in the New Year to ALL!
Mickey K.
Scopes: ES102 apo carbonfiber, Orion 127 mac/cas
Binos: B&L Legacy 10x50, Canon 15x50 image stabilized
Mounts: ES Twilight 1 & Exos2 goto, Orion Sky View Pro (non-goto) Targus monopod w/Manfrotto ball head
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Re: Artificial Star using Christmas tree ornament ?

#2

Post by JayTee »


I have used a chrome ball bearing stuck to a fence post with modelers clay as an artificial star. Seems to me that a chrome ball bearing is just a very tiny Christmas tree ornament. Just be careful of the brightness reflected by that ornament. If it is large, it may just be giving you a dangerous amount of light.

Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
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Re: Artificial Star using Christmas tree ornament ?

#3

Post by notFritzArgelander »


The main point about using an artificial star (aside from safety with lasers) is setting it at the right distance. For collimation one needn't worry. If you are evaluating optical quality an insufficient distance will look like spherical aberration that is under corrected. All you need to know is here :

https://www.amazon.com/Star-Testing-Ast ... 0943396905
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
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Re: Artificial Star using Christmas tree ornament ?

#4

Post by turboscrew »


I don't remember where I found it, but:
Artificial star (maximum) size: Ø ~ L/3000D
λ=0.00055mm, W=λ/20, L=distance from artificial star [mm], D=aperture [mm]
Artificial star distance: L ~ D^2/(512*W*F^2)
L= (minium) distance [mm], D=aperture [mm], W= P-V wavefront-error, F= F-number
"For instance, by substituting W=λ/20=0.0000275mm for λ=550nm, gives the distance for this error level for D=400mm, ƒ/4, as L=710m. "
W=λ/20=0.0000275mm for λ=550nm (= 0,00055 mm)
L = 160000 / (512*0.0000275*16) = 160 000 / 0,22528 = 710227,2 mm ~ 710 m
That is, the ornament just needs to be put quite far away.
- Juha

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Re: Artificial Star using Christmas tree ornament ?

#5

Post by konza »


Oh my turbo, your response is technically way over this guys head. Would it be possible to dumb it down for a person awash (noobie) when it comes to mathematical thing? i.e.: globe size. distance to the artificial star, or any ancillary requirements? To reference how a star test should appear is no mystery, plenty of pictures on the net for that.
My favored scope is the ES 102 listed in profile. I'm 100% visual and have no desire to tinker, and perhaps mess up collimation myself but simply wish to verify that I have the best i can get from my optics. (if adjustment is required I live within 1:15 drive time to the ES home store in Springdale Ar. so no big deal if needed) Not having to manually chase a chosen test star across the sky would so simplify things for novice as I've become endeared to my Orion SVP non-goto mount...
Mickey K.
Scopes: ES102 apo carbonfiber, Orion 127 mac/cas
Binos: B&L Legacy 10x50, Canon 15x50 image stabilized
Mounts: ES Twilight 1 & Exos2 goto, Orion Sky View Pro (non-goto) Targus monopod w/Manfrotto ball head
Eyepieces: Orion plossl 10 & 25, ES 24 & 16 68º, Baader Morpheus 12.5, ES 8.8 & 4.7 82º and SWM 20 70º w/ crosshairs.
Filters Orion 13 & 25% moon filter, and a sky glow
Diagonal: ES dieletric, Baader T2 BBHS mirror
"Keep Looking Up" ~Jack Horkheimer~
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Re: Artificial Star using Christmas tree ornament ?

#6

Post by JayTee »


Well, if Turbo's math is correct, put your Christmas ornament/artificial star roughly 8 football fields distant from your scope. Oh, BTW, make sure you do this on a sunny day. I know that sounds dumb, but you can never tell what follow-on questions you may get!

Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
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Re: Artificial Star using Christmas tree ornament ?

#7

Post by turboscrew »


konza wrote: Fri Dec 18, 2020 5:57 am Oh my turbo, your response is technically way over this guys head. Would it be possible to dumb it down for a person awash (noobie) when it comes to mathematical thing? i.e.: globe size. distance to the artificial star, or any ancillary requirements? To reference how a star test should appear is no mystery, plenty of pictures on the net for that.
My favored scope is the ES 102 listed in profile. I'm 100% visual and have no desire to tinker, and perhaps mess up collimation myself but simply wish to verify that I have the best i can get from my optics. (if adjustment is required I live within 1:15 drive time to the ES home store in Springdale Ar. so no big deal if needed) Not having to manually chase a chosen test star across the sky would so simplify things for novice as I've become endeared to my Orion SVP non-goto mount...
These: λ=0.00055mm, W=λ/20 mention about the validity of the first equation. It's valid for 1/20 wavelength of light when the light used is 550 nm (yellowish green). The eye is most sensitive to this.
Then the diameter of the artificial star should be L/3000*D where L is the distance from the ornament to the mirror/lens and D is the diameter of the lens (all in millimeters).

The second equation gives you the distance for the first equation:
L ~ D^2/(512*W*F^2)
The distance is about aperture squared and that divided by (512 * wavefront error * F-number squared)
The wavefront error here is 1/20 vavelength of that same 550 nm light (= 1/20 * 0.00055 mm). and if you have an F/6 telescope, the F^2 is 6*6 = 36.
You could, probably, do with bigger error, like 1/10 or even 1/4.

That is, the distance depends on your scope (diameter of the mirror/lens and F-number) as well as the diameter of your ornament.
- Juha

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Telescope: OrionOptics XV12, Mount: CEM120, Tri-pier 360 and alternative dobson mount.
Grab 'n go: Omegon AC 102/660 on AZ-3 mount
Eyepieces: 26 mm Omegon SWAN 70°, 15 mm TV Plössl, 12.5 mm Baader Morpheus, 10 mm TV Delos, 6 mm Baader Classic Ortho, 5 mm TV DeLite, 4 mm and 3 mm TV Radians
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OAG: TS-Optics TSOAG09, ZWO EFW 7 x 36 mm, ZWO filter sets: LRGB and Ha/OIII/SII
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Some filters (#80A, ND-96, ND-09, Astronomik UHC)
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Re: Artificial Star using Christmas tree ornament ?

#8

Post by konza »


Turbo, your explanation has aided understanding. Now need to study enough to put it all together. I did a web search on your first reply.

Artificial star (maximum) size: Ø ~ L/3000D
λ=0.00055mm, W=λ/20, L=distance from artificial star [mm], D=aperture [mm]

That led to a "sister forum" that also discussed this issue. If anyone is interested it may be worthwhile they check it out. Too bad the old AF is no more as that may have been where i first seen it.
Thank you
Mickey K.
Scopes: ES102 apo carbonfiber, Orion 127 mac/cas
Binos: B&L Legacy 10x50, Canon 15x50 image stabilized
Mounts: ES Twilight 1 & Exos2 goto, Orion Sky View Pro (non-goto) Targus monopod w/Manfrotto ball head
Eyepieces: Orion plossl 10 & 25, ES 24 & 16 68º, Baader Morpheus 12.5, ES 8.8 & 4.7 82º and SWM 20 70º w/ crosshairs.
Filters Orion 13 & 25% moon filter, and a sky glow
Diagonal: ES dieletric, Baader T2 BBHS mirror
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Re: Artificial Star using Christmas tree ornament ?

#9

Post by turboscrew »


Ø ~ L/3000D
L = Ø * 3000 * D
If the ornament diameter is 60 mm and the telescope aperture is 102 mm the formula gives 60 * 3000 * 102 = 18360000 mm = 18360 m = 18.4 km = 11.5 miles.
For aperture of 127 mm it's 60 * 3000 * 127 = 22860000 mm = 23 km = 14.5 miles.

If I understood it right, the idea is to see the artificial star in an angle that corresponds to 1/4 of the diameter of the airy disk for 550 nm light.

Artificial star distance: L ~ D^2/(512*W*F^2)
For error W = λ/4 = 0.00055 mm / 4 = 0.000138 mm, D = 102 mm, F/7
L = 10404 / (512 * 0.000138 * 49) = 10404 / 3.462144 = 3005 mm
Ø = 3005/(3000 * 102) = 0.010 mm.
=> you could check the ES with 10 um artificial star 3005 mm away from the lens.

My source was https://www.telescope-optics.net/star_t ... escope.htm
- Juha

Senior Embedded SW Designer
Telescope: OrionOptics XV12, Mount: CEM120, Tri-pier 360 and alternative dobson mount.
Grab 'n go: Omegon AC 102/660 on AZ-3 mount
Eyepieces: 26 mm Omegon SWAN 70°, 15 mm TV Plössl, 12.5 mm Baader Morpheus, 10 mm TV Delos, 6 mm Baader Classic Ortho, 5 mm TV DeLite, 4 mm and 3 mm TV Radians
Cameras: ZWO ASI 294MM Pro, Omegon veLOX 178C
OAG: TS-Optics TSOAG09, ZWO EFW 7 x 36 mm, ZWO filter sets: LRGB and Ha/OIII/SII
Explore Scientific HR 2" coma corrector, Meade x3 1.25" Barlow, TV PowerMate 4x 2"
Some filters (#80A, ND-96, ND-09, Astronomik UHC)
Laptop: Acer Enduro Urban N3 semi-rugged, Windows 11
LAT 61° 28' 10.9" N, Bortle 5

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Re: Artificial Star using Christmas tree ornament ?

#10

Post by Lady Fraktor »


Turbo I think you need to put the calculator aside!!

Konza if you are just wanting to check the collimation of your telescope then a rough approximation is 2 metres distance for every 1 inch of aperture +1 metre will do fine.
A 4" refractor would require 30 feet as a minimum distance. (4x2=8+1=9 metres)

Again if you just want to check collimation then purchase a refractor collimating eyepiece and you can check it anytime indoors and distance is not required.
https://agenaastro.com/agena-1-25-colli ... ctors.html

If you are looking to star test then a artificial star is handy but there are other factors to take into account.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
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Re: Artificial Star using Christmas tree ornament ?

#11

Post by turboscrew »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Sun Dec 20, 2020 8:21 pm Turbo I think you need to put the calculator aside!!

Konza if you are just wanting to check the collimation of your telescope then a rough approximation is 2 metres distance for every 1 inch of aperture +1 metre will do fine.
A 4" refractor would require 30 feet as a minimum distance. (4x2=8+1=9 metres)

Again if you just want to check collimation then purchase a refractor collimating eyepiece and you can check it anytime indoors and distance is not required.
https://agenaastro.com/agena-1-25-colli ... ctors.html

If you are looking to star test then a artificial star is handy but there are other factors to take into account.
I don't think 30 feet is enough if you're using a Christmas ornament as an artificial star.
SILVER-100mm-Gloss.jpg
- Juha

Senior Embedded SW Designer
Telescope: OrionOptics XV12, Mount: CEM120, Tri-pier 360 and alternative dobson mount.
Grab 'n go: Omegon AC 102/660 on AZ-3 mount
Eyepieces: 26 mm Omegon SWAN 70°, 15 mm TV Plössl, 12.5 mm Baader Morpheus, 10 mm TV Delos, 6 mm Baader Classic Ortho, 5 mm TV DeLite, 4 mm and 3 mm TV Radians
Cameras: ZWO ASI 294MM Pro, Omegon veLOX 178C
OAG: TS-Optics TSOAG09, ZWO EFW 7 x 36 mm, ZWO filter sets: LRGB and Ha/OIII/SII
Explore Scientific HR 2" coma corrector, Meade x3 1.25" Barlow, TV PowerMate 4x 2"
Some filters (#80A, ND-96, ND-09, Astronomik UHC)
Laptop: Acer Enduro Urban N3 semi-rugged, Windows 11
LAT 61° 28' 10.9" N, Bortle 5

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Re: Artificial Star using Christmas tree ornament ?

#12

Post by turboscrew »


So, I don't think a Christmas tree ornament is very handy. Rather, try a bearing ball, like JayTee mentioned.
- Juha

Senior Embedded SW Designer
Telescope: OrionOptics XV12, Mount: CEM120, Tri-pier 360 and alternative dobson mount.
Grab 'n go: Omegon AC 102/660 on AZ-3 mount
Eyepieces: 26 mm Omegon SWAN 70°, 15 mm TV Plössl, 12.5 mm Baader Morpheus, 10 mm TV Delos, 6 mm Baader Classic Ortho, 5 mm TV DeLite, 4 mm and 3 mm TV Radians
Cameras: ZWO ASI 294MM Pro, Omegon veLOX 178C
OAG: TS-Optics TSOAG09, ZWO EFW 7 x 36 mm, ZWO filter sets: LRGB and Ha/OIII/SII
Explore Scientific HR 2" coma corrector, Meade x3 1.25" Barlow, TV PowerMate 4x 2"
Some filters (#80A, ND-96, ND-09, Astronomik UHC)
Laptop: Acer Enduro Urban N3 semi-rugged, Windows 11
LAT 61° 28' 10.9" N, Bortle 5

I don't suffer from insanity. I'm enjoying every minute of it.

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Re: Artificial Star using Christmas tree ornament ?

#13

Post by Lady Fraktor »


30 feet is just fine for a minimum distance for collimation for a 100mm f/7 refractor.
Your results in miles are incredibly off, and I suspect you are using the wrong formula for figuring out collimation distances.
My artificial stars range from 0.5mm to 0.20mm for different telescopes.

A ornament will work but you need to know what size point source is required which is a different calculation than distance required.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
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Re: Artificial Star using Christmas tree ornament ?

#14

Post by Graeme1858 »


I used a torch up the end of the garden (20m) with aluminium foil over it and the smallest hole I could make in the centre. It worked ok to collimate my 9.25 SCT.

Regards

Graeme
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Re: Artificial Star using Christmas tree ornament ?

#15

Post by turboscrew »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Mon Dec 21, 2020 8:01 am 30 feet is just fine for a minimum distance for collimation for a 100mm f/7 refractor.
Your results in miles are incredibly off, and I suspect you are using the wrong formula for figuring out collimation distances.
My artificial stars range from 0.5mm to 0.20mm for different telescopes.

A ornament will work but you need to know what size point source is required which is a different calculation than distance required.
Yes. It seems those formuli are for checking the optics. I haven't found anything about requirements for collimation. Those formuli give the size and distance for point source that gives 550 nm light 1/4 airy disk size. Using Dawes limit giver pretty much the same results. Then again, 0.5mm is less than 1/100 of 60 mm.
- Juha

Senior Embedded SW Designer
Telescope: OrionOptics XV12, Mount: CEM120, Tri-pier 360 and alternative dobson mount.
Grab 'n go: Omegon AC 102/660 on AZ-3 mount
Eyepieces: 26 mm Omegon SWAN 70°, 15 mm TV Plössl, 12.5 mm Baader Morpheus, 10 mm TV Delos, 6 mm Baader Classic Ortho, 5 mm TV DeLite, 4 mm and 3 mm TV Radians
Cameras: ZWO ASI 294MM Pro, Omegon veLOX 178C
OAG: TS-Optics TSOAG09, ZWO EFW 7 x 36 mm, ZWO filter sets: LRGB and Ha/OIII/SII
Explore Scientific HR 2" coma corrector, Meade x3 1.25" Barlow, TV PowerMate 4x 2"
Some filters (#80A, ND-96, ND-09, Astronomik UHC)
Laptop: Acer Enduro Urban N3 semi-rugged, Windows 11
LAT 61° 28' 10.9" N, Bortle 5

I don't suffer from insanity. I'm enjoying every minute of it.

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Re: Artificial Star using Christmas tree ornament ?

#16

Post by UlteriorModem »


I bought an arti star. It's basically a flash light with a cover and tiny pin holes in it.

Found out I could not use it as there was no where in my yard far enough away. I would have to put it about halfway out in my neighbor's yard... that aint gonna work.
Tom

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Re: Artificial Star using Christmas tree ornament ?

#17

Post by turboscrew »


Hmm, looks like the formuli were valid, but my understanding of using bearing ball or Christmas tree ornament wasn't.
I found somewhere in the net:
The focal length of the 2" ball bearing is 1/2" or 12.7mm.
Thus the diameter of the image formed of the sun is about d = 127 microns
The "object" is not the ball itself, but the image of the Sun on it.
Last edited by turboscrew on Mon Dec 21, 2020 6:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Juha

Senior Embedded SW Designer
Telescope: OrionOptics XV12, Mount: CEM120, Tri-pier 360 and alternative dobson mount.
Grab 'n go: Omegon AC 102/660 on AZ-3 mount
Eyepieces: 26 mm Omegon SWAN 70°, 15 mm TV Plössl, 12.5 mm Baader Morpheus, 10 mm TV Delos, 6 mm Baader Classic Ortho, 5 mm TV DeLite, 4 mm and 3 mm TV Radians
Cameras: ZWO ASI 294MM Pro, Omegon veLOX 178C
OAG: TS-Optics TSOAG09, ZWO EFW 7 x 36 mm, ZWO filter sets: LRGB and Ha/OIII/SII
Explore Scientific HR 2" coma corrector, Meade x3 1.25" Barlow, TV PowerMate 4x 2"
Some filters (#80A, ND-96, ND-09, Astronomik UHC)
Laptop: Acer Enduro Urban N3 semi-rugged, Windows 11
LAT 61° 28' 10.9" N, Bortle 5

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Lady Fraktor Slovakia
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Re: Artificial Star using Christmas tree ornament ?

#18

Post by Lady Fraktor »


UlteriorModem wrote: Mon Dec 21, 2020 3:15 pm I bought an arti star. It's basically a flash light with a cover and tiny pin holes in it.

Found out I could not use it as there was no where in my yard far enough away. I would have to put it about halfway out in my neighbor's yard... that aint gonna work.
If you have figured out the distance you need to star test, shorten that distance for collimating to 70% of the distance and it will work fine.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: Artificial Star using Christmas tree ornament ?

#19

Post by turboscrew »


What are the criteria for artificial star when used for collimation? I'd guess that it should be far enough for focusing, and its apparent size should be smaller than... what?
- Juha

Senior Embedded SW Designer
Telescope: OrionOptics XV12, Mount: CEM120, Tri-pier 360 and alternative dobson mount.
Grab 'n go: Omegon AC 102/660 on AZ-3 mount
Eyepieces: 26 mm Omegon SWAN 70°, 15 mm TV Plössl, 12.5 mm Baader Morpheus, 10 mm TV Delos, 6 mm Baader Classic Ortho, 5 mm TV DeLite, 4 mm and 3 mm TV Radians
Cameras: ZWO ASI 294MM Pro, Omegon veLOX 178C
OAG: TS-Optics TSOAG09, ZWO EFW 7 x 36 mm, ZWO filter sets: LRGB and Ha/OIII/SII
Explore Scientific HR 2" coma corrector, Meade x3 1.25" Barlow, TV PowerMate 4x 2"
Some filters (#80A, ND-96, ND-09, Astronomik UHC)
Laptop: Acer Enduro Urban N3 semi-rugged, Windows 11
LAT 61° 28' 10.9" N, Bortle 5

I don't suffer from insanity. I'm enjoying every minute of it.

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Lady Fraktor Slovakia
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Re: Artificial Star using Christmas tree ornament ?

#20

Post by Lady Fraktor »


The spot size is half the airy disk.
You need to figure out the resolution of the telescope, I will see if I can find my book with the formulas.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
The only culture I have is from yogurt
My day was going well until... people
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