Re: comet holmes; using the Sky Atlas 2000; optics

On Sun, 28 Oct 2007 19:56:10 -0700, brucegooglegroups
<brucegooglegroups@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I appreciate the info from this group on finding Comet Holmes. In the
moonlit sky, it was beautiful in my binoculars, and better in my
telescope.

I have just started using Sky Atlas 2000 Deluxe. What I didn't realize
is that it is not for telescopes only- it clearly shows the stars
viewed in my binoculars.

Which leads to an optics issue. Why are the stars brighter and bigger
in my binoculars and smaller and dimmer in my scope? I use a 4.5 Dob.
My binoculars are 10X50 Orion Vistas.

This is an issue of "exit pupil" and you can read about it by looking
up the article on Wikipedia.

I would like to upgrade to an 8 inch telescope. I am used to excellent
views in my binoculars, but disappointing views in my 4.5.

Comments?
Clear skies.
Bruce

Bruce, I'm glad that you got a good view of the Comet in your 4.5 inch
scope. My husband Stephen did, too, using my little 4" reflector
telescope (while I slept peacefully.) Unfortunately today is cloudy
again, as it's been for the last week, so I probably won't get a
chance to see it in our larger telescopes.

Here's my husband's astro blog report of Comet Holmes, with drawings
by naked eye and thru my StarBlast scope, done right here at our house
in light polluted San Jose, CA. on Monday morning, 29 Oct.

http://faintfuzzies.blogspot.com/2007/10/comet-17pholmes-102907.html

Best,
Regina R.

.

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