discussion Telescopes

[Guest]

Just a thought anyone on here interested in astronomy i got my old reflector out to show the kids and they were so entranced it was magic looking at them and the questions ?????? cant remember when i had so much fun

 

[Guest]

One of those things I could never get into. I look at the sky and see thousands of little white specks. Some people look at it and can see specific shapes and tell just where they are in the world from the position of the shapes.

Thats why I stay in the engine room!!

 

[wonwinglo]

The sky at night is a beautiful place,and I also love to see Patrick Moores passion for everything including the stars,but like yourself Richard looking at them closely through a telescope only made me feel flustrated in a way that I could not get to those places ! I suppose it is all about tangibility,to touch those craters etc,but yes Nigels children will be enthralled,it is a fascinating subject that you need to study to fully enjoy.

 

[Guest]

Richard if you dint mind to say, what do you do for a living?

 

[Guest]

He's a Philipino engine room lacky! On a greek container ship!

Phnaar! PhnaaR!

 

[Guest]

Howdy Guys,

Well, I am not really one for astronomy, however, I do enjoy tracking over 500 satellites with "JTRACK 3D". you can find "jtrack" at this link: http://science.nasa.gov/Realtime/jtrack/3d/JTrack3D.html and from there you can click on Jtrack 3d which will appear in a smaller window. This java applet is brought to you by NASA, there are several neat features with the program including the tracking of the ISS and the Space shuttle.

I was tracking the space shuttle 3 yrs ago when it burnt up on re entry and at the same time I was using noaa's weather radar to look for the shuttle (this was before it burnt up) as it re entered the atmoshere, instead I saw the debris filled sky as see by the radar. The noaa radar allows you to see the weather in any of the US states and/or terotories. It can be found here: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ridge/ . I am sure the UK probably has a similar site.

But anyway, the Jtrack program will tell you when any satellite of your chosing will be over your area. Its too complicated for me to explain how, but after you play with it awhile, you will learn how.

Be sure to check em out.

Have a good day,

Greg aka GW

 

[Guest]

Richard if you dint mind to say' date=' what do you do for a living?[/quote']I'm an Engineer on a Cruise Ship, unlike Tiger who still doesn't have a proper job yet!!! :emo:

 

[Guest]

I think astronomy is one of those things that I regret not knowing a bit more about. I guess for me, like History, it's one of those things that I never paid a lot of attention to so I have never reaaly developed any interest until, in later life, I now regret not knowing a bit more about the subject.

My father, being a ships navigating officer, could look at the sky and point out all the constellations to me but all I ever saw was a sky full of white specks.

I agree with Barry though, I love watching someone like Patrick Moore whose passion for the subject is simply infectious and he has this rare gift of making his subject incredibly interesting to anyone who wants to listen.

I am trying to do something about the lack of History but I'm afraid I don't think I will never have the time required for Astronomy. Maybe when I retire!!!

 

[Guest]

just watch star trek Richard, youl learn loads!!!

 

[Guest]

What worries me Richard is that I was probably watching Star Trek long before you were even a glimmer in your Dads eye!!!

 

[wonwinglo]

'Dan Dare' man myself,you have not lived until you have read about the Meakons ! oops,showing my age again !

 

[Guest]

hows that richard, your only 21 arent you?

 

[Guest]

hows that richard' date=' your only 21 arent you?[/quote']In mind yes!!!

 

[wonwinglo]

Richard have you ever noticed Patrick Moores den ? it has one of those old fashioned typewriters,no computer anywhere,and a plaque in front of his desk which reads 'Commanding Officer' piles of things strewn everywhere and on shelves.

He was once booked to appear at a local astronomical society to give a talk,guess what ? he forget to turn up ! what a character.

He really has a most charismatic personality,and have you noticed the way he can hold his own with any subject related to the universe ?

 

[Guest]

I once saw a really good interveiw with him where he admitted that he could type at some unbelievable rate with two fingers on his old typewriter. He was adamant that there was no way he would ever be able to type faster with a computer so he couldn't see the need for one.

A great man and I thoroughly enjoy watching him.

 

[wonwinglo]

I always type myself with one finger with the left hand,the right hand can then hold toast,cups of tea,glass of cider,Guinness etc as you can guess I am a real computer junkie,once more I do not like wasting time,I notice from various pictures here, that many make models right in front of their computers,and why not ?

 

[Guest]

I have tried many many times to learn to type properly however I always revert to the two fingers as I am pretty fast with them and my proper typing attempts are so dam slow and cumbersome.

Mavis Beacon has made a few quid out of me at least!!

 

[wonwinglo]

I do not think there is a proper way Richard,with the advent of computers many people have been forced into typing and use of the keyboard,even now there are things on it which I never ever use.

One finger,two finger,whatever as long as you get there in he end,you should see the speed at which I type with one finger,you just get used to it and the brain tells you where to go as a matter of habit,I do think that they should make keyboards with bigger gaps between the type,people with large fingers tend to catch the adjoining letter/figure.

The old Pitmans college would probably have a dicky fit if they saw us typing,but who cares we are learning all of the time.

 

[Guest]

I do love looking through the telescope. the other night there was a clear view of jupitar and saturn and through dads new telescope you could see the rings it was amazing to just see it so clearly. If you look at the moon you can see all the craters and even that there isnt a smooth edge on the moon its brilliant.

 

[wonwinglo]

Yes it is very beautiful Char,it looks much closer than it actually is,living here we get a lot of light pollution making it very difficult to see the stars etc.