The Space Stuff thread

Thx @Barman58.
I was thinking of you when I posted and had hoped you would post something to help out @jimjoe .

A film crew working on a series about the Bermuda Triangle has made an unexpected discovery off the coast of Florida: a 20-foot segment of the Space Shuttle Challenger, which exploded in flight in one of NASA’s major tragedies.

Gizmodo



Related: NASA Views Images, Confirms Discovery of Shuttle Challenger Artifact

NASA inspects Artemis I rocket after Hurricane Nicole | CNN

“Our team is conducting initial visual check-outs of the rocket, spacecraft, and ground system equipment with the cameras at the launchpad. Camera inspections show very minor damage such as loose caulk and tears in weather coverings. The team will conduct additional onsite walk down inspections on the vehicle soon,” according to a Thursday afternoon statement from Jim Free, associate administrator for NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate.

“Teams monitored SLS and Orion remotely during the storm and successfully maintained purges and other essential support,” the statement reads.

The CNN article goes on to say that the SLS endured winds from tropical storm 40Kt to a just Cat2 87Kt (46/100mph - 74/160kph).

There will be more inspections leading up to a launch attempt at 1:04 am ET (06:04 UTC) on Wednesday, November 16.

This related Ars Technica article has its doubts, see below "whats next".

jimjoe said:

a 5" reflector telescope to which I can place a cellphone so I can take photos.

Ohh . . . . That kind of reflector . . . .

• Do you have an understanding of how telescopes work?

It can be confusing at best and frustrating at worst.

The quick basics; Telescope sizes are measured in mm's (millimeters) such as 1000mmx120mm, the first number is focal length and the second is aperture which is what you're concerned about so 1000x120 translates to a focal length of 39.4" with a 4.7" primary mirror if you want nothing less than 5" then that 120mm needs to be ≥127mm.

A telescope can have a 5″ (127mm) mirror with an 39.4″ (1000mm) focal/tube length, that's a refactor but on some, the light folds into a tube less than 20″ (500 mm) long, these are called reflectors.
Some would say that refactors produce a better image than reflectors b/c the image is going straight thru the scope to your eye and isn't being 'folded' like a reflector's image.

There are some nice telescopes with your 5" requirement in this Amazon search and some already come with a cell-phone adapter designed for that particular scope. Use it as a guide and look around in your area but if you're "chompin' at the bit" amazon is the way to go.

Related:
How to Choose a Telescope
The Five Numbers That Explain a Telescope
Smartphone Telescope Adapters: Are They Worth Your Time And Money?

jimjoe said:

And as a veteran, thanks for the November 11.

And thank you jimjoe.

Okay. Yeah, there are some nice scopes at that link.

Sorry to hear 'bout your surgery, I'm lookin' at some in the next few years. I'm 71 and I found out that my cataracts have started during this years eye visit. I also have positive an negative dysphotopsias.

Not sure how the Kohl's thing would work, sounds like they would be re-sellers of some sort.

NASA continues to target launch of its Artemis I mission from the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 1:04 a.m. EST, Wednesday, Nov. 16. There is a two-hour launch window for the agency’s first integrated flight test of its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft.

source: Artemis blog