Here is the new spotting gear mounted on the telescope, a 9x50 right angle spotting scope and a telrad, the only red dot system that actually works. The Telrad once sighted should put you in the general area that the scope is aiming at, to help find those bright stars to do the calibration of the mount. Then the Orion scope with it's 9x magnification and generous field of view will ensure a more precise lock on the star one is aiming at. With proper calibration anything that appears on the cross hairs should also appear in the middle of the main eyepiece of the telescope. And that should really be all one needs to quickly calibrate a telescope mount and enjoy hours of tracking the planets and clusters. Next step is the heater system to keep the telescope from fogging up at 2AM in the early morning dew. I've just about narrowed it down to the gear I want for the job. As soon as I make my final selection between the brands I'm considering, and order and set up the heater system, I'll take some pictures of the setup to share with my fellow astronomers here.
Yes, those are some weird animals, but to me they don't get weirder than the Chalicothere, which lived at the same time and in the same area as the oreodonts. This is a relative of the horse, though one would be forgiven for believing this "gorilla-horse" was related to apes instead of horses base on those impressive forelimbs.
...well, this one hasn't been my best astroshot (no way ) but with this sooo cloudy-rainy sky isn't bad after all... (a 4 minutes window!)... so, Beggars can't be choosers! (...btw, no telescope... )
Aw, c'mon, that's a new red penny on a black tile floor, and that's the image you're gonna use to sell it on eBay. 'Fess up! That, or you think it's a double troubled bubbled doubled die and you're fixin' to use that photo to post on the Errors forum so we can all confirm that yes, it IS in fact worth eleventy-nine squintillion dollars.
...cleaning the garden... https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jul/26/britains-largest-gold-nugget-found-scottish-riverbed
Then again, last night I saw the very same reddish penny in the sky too. Did not really see that chocolate bar Mars though, and missed the ISS too. Still neat. Christian
Today I found a mother-load of boletes. They are delicious. Easily my best find, especially this big guy!
A couple of recent acquisitions - Really curious about the Chinese carving. It appears to show a chronological history. If anybody knows what it is I welcome their posts. The other picture - the item on the left is a small art deco lamp in the shape of a horse's head.
Did very well at an auction this evening: bought another medical fraud device. This one (#5 or 6 in my collection is the highest quality) it's contained in a high quality wood box w/external metal fittings, working lock/key and a brass/ivory handle. measurements 5 1/2" x 11" x 5 1/4" Item #2 is a bronze match holder that measures 4/ 3/8" x 10" x 3" Wasn't going to leave the auction w/o buying this one.
I have the obligatory library that is never large enough but the wife thinks is too big. I have added a second one of these bookcases and it is mostly full. At some point, I will have to update this photo. Although I don't have less used material stuffed in the back anymore. As the photo kind of shows, I collect mostly Philadelphia related sports memorabilia and other artwork that is historical in nature.
Thanks for the comments. The "magneto" medical device is, IMO, museum quality. Got it for $115.xx including commission. Last night was cleaning up the match holder w/o disturbing the patina. Looks good so far. Also, bought an interesting painting. Will post a picture of it after researching it some.