Air Conditioner Failure
The main AC has failed today, cooling has stopped and there is no air cycling. The settings changed on the RF09T1 remote controller for some unknown reason. The problem is the controller is not in English, no English manual, has only Traditional Chinese language and is vague. PINK is function but unknown how many times to press it. YELLOW is wind. GREEN for speed. After getting it to work again, I snapped the third and final photo as a future reference. I'm finally beginning to cool down.Heat & Air Pollution
It has currently reached 116 degrees and therefore outdoor activities are canceled. Some locals were running yesterday in the heat at the park and passed out from heat stroke and were taken to the hospital by ambulance. The problem was not only heat related but also toxic air pollution. I don't want that eating through like caustic acid on my telescope lenses and mirrors!
Focal Reducer
Remember to choose the correct focal reducer. Some have
edge correction and some do not. Celestron EdgeHD needs no correction and these uncorrected .5x FRs are as low as $10 each. Spectacular examples of deep sky work can be found in the pages of astronomy forums like Cloudy Nights, etc.
Examining EPs bought recently. Ironic, this is the lowest cost (it came free with a 2x Barlow) and most beautiful eyepiece I've ever seen with its engraved signature, rubber reinforcement, filter threading, focuser retaining ridges and gold trim. At 10mm and 62 deg. aspheric, it has a minimal number of maximum diameter lenses for very good performance with the f/3.9 2.99-inch FirstScope, and it may have some applications for an ultralight device, as it weighs almost nothing. In this day and age with the fat heavy poundage and irregular shape of Celestron Axiom EPs, a small lightweight EP design like this is a breath of fresh air.Storms
We are on a cycle of daily and nightly storms - as the heat rises to 116 deg F. today, evaporation and
high humidity levels lead to a buildup of black storm clouds leading to large thunder storms. Lightning struck close-by, sounded like a bomb and shook everything. Telescope is ok.
Large Database of Astro Software
I started a new large source book of astro software and much will appear in this blog as it becomes available.
Less Hot Window
I've located a small 1-hour window in the early morning just before the sun rises where the temperature is less, around 85 deg. actual temperature. It might be an opportunity to work on the telescopes in a less harsh environment.
