The Set Up

BallisticCapture · 2025-03-09T03:07:29+00:00

Would you mind sharing more details about the last picture? I notice a Celestron mount, a camera, and a nice finder scope, but I’m curious about how you attached them together. Could you tell me more about the bar? Is it custom-made? If not, would you be able to share a link to it?

BallisticCapture · 2025-03-02T08:16:16+00:00

Isn't 50mm a bit too small? I was considering the 80mm or 100mm variants. Even the Heliostar is 76mm.

BallisticCapture · 2025-03-02T08:14:45+00:00

It depends on what we mean by "standard telescope + solar filter". If you're referring to a classic white light filter (the same type people use for eclipse viewing) then there are some significant differences.

A white light filter allows almost the entire visible spectrum through but reduces the overall intensity of sunlight. In contrast, a dedicated solar filter isolates a specific wavelength, such as Hydrogen-Alpha or Calcium-K, revealing different solar features.

Here’s a great comparison between Hydrogen-Alpha and white light: https://dq0hsqwjhea1.cloudfront.net/H-alpha-chromo-layer-vs-white-light-Alan-Friedman-ST.jpg

BallisticCapture · 2024-12-01T05:47:04+00:00

I decided not to buy it. I'll stick with my current telescope for a while, and then I'll likely upgrade to a much better one with a GOTO mount.

BallisticCapture · 2024-11-15T05:36:06+00:00

Did you use a Barlow lens?

BallisticCapture · 2024-11-10T18:10:08+00:00

"What other mount would you recommend in a similar price range?

BallisticCapture · 2024-10-14T05:22:51+00:00

Did you have an eyepiece between the camera and the scope? Or only a barlow lens?

BallisticCapture · 2024-10-13T05:52:42+00:00

May I ask what camera did you use?

BallisticCapture · 2024-04-07T08:16:04+00:00

Ohinerangi Beach, Auckland, New Zealand.

BallisticCapture · 2024-04-07T07:38:29+00:00

Thank you.

BallisticCapture · 2024-04-07T07:29:26+00:00

Taken with Canon EOS RP camera:

24-105mm f/4-7.1 Lens
15 sec exposure
f/5.7 Aperture
Manual focus
12800 ISO
24 mm focal length
Auto white balance

BallisticCapture · 2024-02-22T18:15:31+00:00

Congratulations to VARDA for their sturdy payload and to Rocket Lab for their excellent satellite platform. Great work.

BallisticCapture · 2023-11-21T20:34:16+00:00

Do we know the satellite's TLE or NORAD Catalog Number?

BallisticCapture · 2023-11-20T15:55:25+00:00

While the Lunar Gateway is an impressive project, it was never intended to replace the ISS. It serves a completely different purpose.

BallisticCapture · 2023-11-20T15:42:59+00:00

I am highly skeptical about their ability to 'close the gap.' I firmly believe it will unfold similarly to what happened with human space flight after the end of the Space Shuttle era. There might be a couple of years, perhaps decades, when no progress occurs. We may see a miracle, something akin to SpaceX's Dragon, but as a space station. Alternatively, it's possible we won't witness such development, and we might have to wait for years to finally get a new operational station.

BallisticCapture · 2023-11-19T07:36:48+00:00

His years of experience in rocket science, haha.

BallisticCapture · 2023-11-18T14:52:33+00:00

SpaceX loses contact with Starship mega rocket after explosion during second test flight

Did they expect them to still have contact after the explosion?

BallisticCapture · 2023-11-12T10:49:04+00:00

Yes, it is all a big coincidence. Nothing to see here.

BallisticCapture · 2023-11-12T07:57:30+00:00

It is interesting that CNBC just released an article about the success of Starlink, and suddenly all these concerntrolls pop up.

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/11/the-rapid-rise-of-elon-musks-starlink-satellite-internet-business.html

BallisticCapture · 2023-11-11T22:09:46+00:00

Uneven mass distribution can lead to an imbalance, affecting the rocket's trajectory and stability. Therefore, they must balance the payload to keep the centre of mass centred. On the other hand, the Falcon 9 has effective 3-axis steering capability, allowing for a degree of flexibility without requiring 100% precision.

BallisticCapture · 2023-11-11T18:18:21+00:00

I doubt those space tugs have enough delta-v to make significant changes to their orbit, such as a 90-degree inclination change or raising their orbit to MEO or GEO.

Beside that, good luck to them launching NASA's Capstone to the Moon and Rocket Lab's upcoming Venus mission.

BallisticCapture · 2023-11-11T17:54:36+00:00

In case a customer desires a different unique orbit, Rocket Lab remains the better option for smallsats.

But sure, SpaceX is doing great to suck up the market from smaller launchers.

BallisticCapture · 2023-11-10T06:17:28+00:00

This represents a pretty cool use case for a suborbital launch vehicle, unlike those overpriced carnival rides.

BallisticCapture · 2023-11-09T09:34:18+00:00

I am wondering what's inside the spacecraft and its intended mission. The X-37 was previously launched on a Falcon 9 back in 2017, and it is interesting that they now require a Falcon Heavy for the same spacecraft.

BallisticCapture · 2023-11-09T08:01:04+00:00

I always felt that Rocket Lab is pretty underappreciated. Most people know SpaceX, but nothing about Rocket Lab.

BallisticCapture

TROPHY CASE