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I might as well do it, since I paid a premium for the ability to have a dozen and one icons.
I just haven't felt like posting today. I've had this window open on my computer for around two hours now, with that single sentence as the sole occupant therein. I guess it is related in part to the fact that I read a bunch in Star Ware today about how telescopes work and what all the numbers mean. ;) Terms like focal ratio, resolving power, and Dawes' Limit aren't frightening unknowns now. It's kinda fun.
In doing all this, I learned that the telescope I got from Alex is... not up to par. I am not being harsh, mind you, but when a telescope comes with equipment that elevates the magnification beyond what it is mathematically capable of (based on focal length and aperture), then there's a problem. That 3x barlow that comes with it? Uh-uh. The "Erecting Eyepiece," that pumps magnification by 1.5? Nope. It suddenly makes sense why I cannot get a decent image out of either when I try to use them. Sheesh.
For the record, the telescope is a 700mm focal length, 60mm aperture, f/11.6 refracting telescope. It has two lenses: 12.5mm (56x) and 4mm (175x). I should point out, though, that given perfect conditions, a telescope's magnification should never exceed 60x per inch of aperture. Thus, a telescope with a 60mm (2.36 inch) aperture shouldn't exceed 141x magnification, and practically, shouldn't exceed 94.5x (or 40x per inch of aperture).
Don't get me wrong, I love having a telescope to use. I am just now realizing the limitations one faces when you use a department store telescope. Simply put, I'm acquiring the knowledge that I will need later on when I get a "real" telescope. Right now, I'm leaning toward a 6- or 8-inch f/8 Newtonian Reflector on a German Equatorial Mount. My only beef is that an 8inch f/8 would mean a focal length of 64 inches. That's five feet and four inches, folks. I would need to lower the back seat to fit it in my car. I'll have to think on this, I suppose. I have time. For now, I must get my car fixed up, for the impending inspection in January. :(
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Otherwise, things have been slow for me. I have realized that I am not in the mood to run a game anytime very soon. Instead, I realize that I am far more interested in writing a story. So, that's what I'm going to do. Ironically, though, as soon as I came to this conclusion, I lost every thought I had for a story. Sheesh. Time will tell, eh?
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Oh, and I've come to a monumental conclusion: I am going to cancel my hold box at Comic Cellar. I may decide to keep it, but I'm only going to pick up the manga collections and CrossGen Traveller Trade Paperbacks. I enjoy comic book stories, but I have reached the point where I no longer wish to spend money on 32 flimsy pages held together with 2 staples. I'll probably trade in my Magic cards for credit for the remainder of the time I'm getting comics. It's just time I moved on.
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Speaking of moving on, I also am not getting RPG books half as often as I was. Between reducing my spending on RPGs and comics, and bringing my lunch to work, I should begin to really save money. It's a shame I started all of this the week I didn't get paid at all. Oh well.. Onward and such, right?
I just haven't felt like posting today. I've had this window open on my computer for around two hours now, with that single sentence as the sole occupant therein. I guess it is related in part to the fact that I read a bunch in Star Ware today about how telescopes work and what all the numbers mean. ;) Terms like focal ratio, resolving power, and Dawes' Limit aren't frightening unknowns now. It's kinda fun.
In doing all this, I learned that the telescope I got from Alex is... not up to par. I am not being harsh, mind you, but when a telescope comes with equipment that elevates the magnification beyond what it is mathematically capable of (based on focal length and aperture), then there's a problem. That 3x barlow that comes with it? Uh-uh. The "Erecting Eyepiece," that pumps magnification by 1.5? Nope. It suddenly makes sense why I cannot get a decent image out of either when I try to use them. Sheesh.
For the record, the telescope is a 700mm focal length, 60mm aperture, f/11.6 refracting telescope. It has two lenses: 12.5mm (56x) and 4mm (175x). I should point out, though, that given perfect conditions, a telescope's magnification should never exceed 60x per inch of aperture. Thus, a telescope with a 60mm (2.36 inch) aperture shouldn't exceed 141x magnification, and practically, shouldn't exceed 94.5x (or 40x per inch of aperture).
Don't get me wrong, I love having a telescope to use. I am just now realizing the limitations one faces when you use a department store telescope. Simply put, I'm acquiring the knowledge that I will need later on when I get a "real" telescope. Right now, I'm leaning toward a 6- or 8-inch f/8 Newtonian Reflector on a German Equatorial Mount. My only beef is that an 8inch f/8 would mean a focal length of 64 inches. That's five feet and four inches, folks. I would need to lower the back seat to fit it in my car. I'll have to think on this, I suppose. I have time. For now, I must get my car fixed up, for the impending inspection in January. :(
Otherwise, things have been slow for me. I have realized that I am not in the mood to run a game anytime very soon. Instead, I realize that I am far more interested in writing a story. So, that's what I'm going to do. Ironically, though, as soon as I came to this conclusion, I lost every thought I had for a story. Sheesh. Time will tell, eh?
Oh, and I've come to a monumental conclusion: I am going to cancel my hold box at Comic Cellar. I may decide to keep it, but I'm only going to pick up the manga collections and CrossGen Traveller Trade Paperbacks. I enjoy comic book stories, but I have reached the point where I no longer wish to spend money on 32 flimsy pages held together with 2 staples. I'll probably trade in my Magic cards for credit for the remainder of the time I'm getting comics. It's just time I moved on.
Speaking of moving on, I also am not getting RPG books half as often as I was. Between reducing my spending on RPGs and comics, and bringing my lunch to work, I should begin to really save money. It's a shame I started all of this the week I didn't get paid at all. Oh well.. Onward and such, right?
