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Subject: Joys of joysticking
From: Robert Preston
Reply To: mapug@shore.net
Date: Tue May 23 10:04:16 1995

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I gave my newly arrived Rob Roy Joy Toy its inauguration last night. (Yeah, sometimes I actually do stargazing AFTER sunset ;-)) (although from urban Pittsburgh there isn't all that great a contrast enhancement when the sun sets)

But I digress. This is just another rave about the design and function of Rob's invention. One of its unexpected features is that totally eliminates any mistaken punching ofthe Enter/Mode/GOTO row of buttons while going for one of the E-W-S-N buttons, since the latter are hidden under the Joystick. I used to think it cost too much. After seeing and using it, I think it's quite worth the price.

If you're new to the list and don't know what I'm talking abouŻ, check out the Joystick at: 1) The ftp site tied to the list: 'ftp ftp.astromart.com/pub/robertf/MEADE' 2) or Point your browser to: 'http://www.astromart.com/'

I revisited M13 in a dork-for-Pittsburgh sky for the first time in months and months last night. It was like diamonds sprinkled in 3-D against the almost textured continuum of fuzzy patch...unbelievable, still. Also, caught a Jovian transit of Ganymede and its shadow, by chance: impressive, as always. I still can't make out the remnant S-L 9 impact belt, though. That must require some serious Jupiter experience...or a better imagination than mine.

Both objects best with 8.8 mm Meade UWA (230X). Missed seeing Saturn but it's too low at dawn to get terribly excited about in comparison to a mug of warm coffee.

Robert A. Preston Pittsburgh, PA rapr@med.pitt.edu