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Oct 09 2024

WVAC Field Trip to the Meteor Crater 

WVAC Field Trip to the Meteor Crater
It was a gorgeous day in the 80’s with some cloud cover.  The scheduled tour guide was ill & left but a substitute arrived shortly & saved the day!  The rim tour allowed us spectacular unobstructed views & a refreshing cool breeze.  We explored the Discovery Center, saw the meteor video & experienced the immersive 4D feature that was reminiscent of Disneyland rides!  We had big smiles all around.  Lunch & coffee were enjoyed on site as well.  Participants: Bob & Carolyn Colbert, John Hiatt, Richard Miller & his grandson Adam, Sandy Dunn,  Lana Slinkard & a guest (brother Justin Ratay).
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Written by Administrator WVAC · Categorized: Field Trips

Oct 04 2024

Celestron Evolution 8 Telescope and Camera System

For sale, my Celestron Evolution 8 go-to telescope and camera system for taking photos of the deep sky
objects, OR the option of just the telescope w/feather touch focuser, Telrad finder, and carrying case.
This camera system doesn’t work on the planets, as the planets photos would be too small to see
anything. This system is very good at taking photos of Open Clusters, Globular Clusters, Nebulas, and
Galaxies (except the very small galaxies).
I have been taking photos now for almost three years with this system from my back yard and at the
club star parties. The Evolution is a very good scope and has never given me any problems. The
HyperStar makes this a very fast scope and my photos are 10 second photos taken at f/1.9 and they are
stacked on top of each other automatically by the ASIAIR Pro. Total duration of photo capture is
anywhere from 2 to 20 minutes with most shots around the 5 minute mark.
The only reason for selling is that I purchased the new Celestron Origion so this scope needs a new
home.

I am not going anywhere so I would be more than able to work with the purchaser so they get a good
feel of the process. I use a 10.2 inch IPAD but you could use a smart phone or the IPAD Mini. Using a
smaller phone wouldn’t give you a very good look though in my opinion.

I will admit that getting into EAA (Electronic Assisted Astronomy) has a higher cost than visual
astronomy, but it is easier and less time consuming than AP (Astro Photography). Purchasing used
equipment does reduce the cost, in this case about 47%, but there is still a cost. Willing to give you
hands on training with EAA.

If you already have a Celestron SE8 or the Evolution 8 I would consider selling the other pieces as a
group which would not include the Telrad or the Feathertouch as they are both attached to the
telescope. Really would like for this to go to someone local as the scope can’t be shipped.

Option 1 – Celestron Evolution 8” (OTA, tripod, & mount), w/feather touch focuser
& Telrad finder scope $1,300  If you wanted the carrying case the price would be another $150.

Option 2 – Everything in Option 1 above PLUS HyperStar 8 v4, ASI533MC Pro cooled camera, Optolong L-
Pro filter 2”, ASIAIR Pro (this is the brains of the system), Bahtinov Mask (for focusing the camera),
Celestron Power Tank Lithium Pro Battery (to power the ASIAIR Pro & camera), & Celestron Optical tube
carrying case #94003. The telescope itself has an internal rechargeable battery which will last for at
least 6 hours.   Option 2 has an original price of $5,474, so the selling price is a 47% discount. So buying used is a big
savings if the items are in great shape. My telescope has always been looked after by Starizona in
Tucson.

More than willing to answer any questions you may have, and I am sure you will have many. The first
time I saw photos of the sky I said no way the cost was too high. One month later I walked out the shop
carrying $2,800 of astronomy camera equipment.
Dave Elder
(delder2@cox.net or 623-214-3470)

Items                                                                                                            New
cost

Celestron Evolution 8                                                                    $2,200.00
Camera ASI533MC Pro cooled color camera                                  800.00
HyperStar 8 v4 f/1.9                                                                          1,000.00
ASIAIR Pro                                                                                             300.00
Optolong L-Pro 2" filter                                                             199.00
Bahtinov Mask                                                                                          15.00
Celestron PowerTank Lithium Pro Battery                                      250.00
Feathertouch focuser 10 to 1                                                                350.00
Telrad finder sight                                                                                   50.00
Celestron Optical tube carrying case #94003                                  310.00

$5,474.00

Written by Administrator WVAC · Categorized: Uncategorized

Oct 04 2024

ASU Center for Meteorite Studies 

WVAC Field Trip to the 
ASU Center for Meteorite Studies 
Thursday September 26, 2024
Meet in the parking lot between 9:15 & 9:30
Fee: $10.  Limited to 15 people, 12 members signed up & paid for as of 9/16
Interdisciplinary Science & Technology Building 4 (ISTB4)
781 E TERRACE RD
TEMPE, AZ 85287-6004
 
Parking lot building (3 stories) is EAST of the building 
Parking is $4 per hour with a max of $16 per day 
 
Schedule:
Arrive between by 9:15 & 9:30, depart at 11am
 
WVAC Private group gallery tour with a very special private entry to Meteorite Vault with Head Curator Laurence Garvie.
Be prepared for group photos on the Crater Carpet after our tours
Many places to eat lunch nearby both in campus & off on your own if desired
For those interested in visiting the Nelson Fine Art Center / ASU Art Museum on campus it will be open at 11am.  Located at 51 E 10th Street on the corner of 10th & Mill.  Small parking lot in front, some free spaces available – take a photo of your license plate & sign in at the museum desk.  There is a fee for parking by the Gammage Auditorium.  See ASU web site for full list of exhibitions.
See “School Bus Map Below” for ISTB4 location & parking.
Questions? Email  lana.slinkard@gmail.com
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Written by Administrator WVAC · Categorized: Field Trip, Field Trips

Oct 01 2024

Smithsonian Great Courses: Two of Jupiter’s moons, Europa and Enceladus.

Due to the cancelation of our speaker (Who will return in April) the club watch Smithsonian Great Courses: Two of Jupiter’s moons, Europa and Enceladus.

Written by Administrator WVAC · Categorized: Meetings, Meetings, Presentation

Sep 03 2024

Lagrange Points

Speaker: Steve Bradshaw (EVAC President)

Topic: Lagrange Points

Abstract: The presentation covers what the Lagrange points are, the problem they solve for us, how they operate (graphically in pictures, and using some really basic and illustrated math too), and provide examples of current and past usage of Lagrange points.

Bio: Steve is the current president of EVAC and volunteers for outreach events. Steve is a retired IT instructor and course developer. This is Steve’s second presentation to our club.

Normal Format:

5:30 Astro Imaging Meeting

7:00 General Meeting

Meeting Room: Agave  (down the hall from the old meeting room)

Written by Administrator WVAC · Categorized: Meetings, Meetings, Presentation, Uncategorized

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