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Where did you read this? I have read numerous reviews stating that there's no aberration at > 300x with the triplet Askars. I would like to read this report. I'm about 90% in the SM 125ED camp at the moment in any case.

This is a mystery to me. This image has 1 hour of data (12 300 sec Ha). I don't understand why it looks so nice. Generally, I need copious data to avoid a stippley background. But not so in this case. Conditions were not great, as is common, and the Moon was about 75%. I botched the framing somewhat, as I wanted the soap bubble and the Crescent to be displayed. The soap bubble can just be seen near lower left margin. TOA 130 with ASI 1600. 1 hour Ha.

Of course, you are right, but why my Askar denies the following rule? I think it's because it's closer to a lens than to an astro refractor. Focusing by rotating a ring (OK, WO Cats also have it) while its objective moves in and out. Anyway, after many attempts I applied around 1.2mm spacer in total and I still have a small coma interchangeably with a radially elongated star in corners. I think it's a point of compromise. They are visible after stacking while an affected by LP background is still there. But the goal is to remove the background, then the distortion isn't visible. I made 30x30s F/1.8 for IDAS LPS-P2 and L-eXtreme filters, now I repeat the same for F/1.4 to see any difference. In the meantime, my main setup captures a Lion Nebula in SHO...

From tonight.

Can't afford it, it's all invested into astro.

I just tried one of the best, sharp daytime lenses, though a more affordable FE lenses for my APSC Sony, it's an FE lens so built for full frame. Does it coma... It sure does! It's a similar star elongation issue too, you'd think with a crop sensor it wouldn't show it. I've found most lenses are quite poor for astro, especially if you want a sharp flat field. Regarding the odd BS issue between the Sigma and Askar, I'd presume most companies only do batch QA, so you will find manufacturing variance between items even if they have been made to a BS specification, it'd be within their manufacturing and QA tolerance spec.

Better take up golf, lol !

oops, thanks.

I hate my south roof... there's one directly north too. And a lamppost directly east...

It's been discussed, see:

And 90% of the great objects are in the south quadrant so if it takes the horizon too high a SS'er will miss out on a high number of dso's ! In the summer Scorpius, Sagittarius, etc. and a lot that goes alongside them ! Hopefully not but ......... ?

Hmm, this is very interesting! those with better knowledge of cameras related to AP would be able to make a better judgement. Pegasus Astro SmartEye (ontariotelescope.com)

Which diagonal are you using?

Have you tried another refractor during the same night for comparison?

Unless the telly is an antique, it may be easier to take it out to the scope. Not completely unrelated; many years ago a colleague built his own large format camera around the lense from an airplane surveillance camera, a really massive piece of glass. The camera was so heavy that he mounted it on a truck to do nature photography. When he told me that, he sighed that it would be easier to keep the camera indoors, and take nature to the camera. More related: a street light, even with t-shirts isn't good for flats. A street light is more of a point source than a flat surface.

Nice images. Rupes Recta has an almost 3d feeling to it in the last image.

I have just posted the new 2024 Eyepieces Buyer's Guide here: https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/919099-2024-eyepiece-buyers-guide/?p=13395818

They are both travelling away from the Earth

I think I have it close enough for a first photo. Stars are round and pointy on axis, I may need to do a few iterations to clean up the corners but I draw the line at collimating in a fine drizzle! The clouds got too thick to check the corners after tightening the locking nuts on the primary, but it was looking ok at last check.

I was looking at this angle - a different type of "face" - shows what tricks the mind can do with light and shadow !

Hi All, this is something that puzzles me about stars and their movement in relationship to Earth, consider this. Star A ------ Earth ----- Star B The light spectrum from both stars is shifted towards the red end of the spectrum so my question is, in which direction are these stars moving? Dave R

Some one shot snaps with the StellaLyra 12" Dob and x4 Powermate with a Nikon D500.

First fix complete. It will have a total of 11 double sockets!. This includes two laptops, a screen, an Alexa, 12v transformer, heater, 2 tasks lights, 2 powered USB hubs, hair dryer (for emergency dew control) other assorted bits and bobs + spares in each position (above and below desk, pier and one wall)

I hadn't noticed that Stu. Nicely spotted! 🙂

It's been cloudy all evening over Camberley and as I've got a rotten cough (thanks Granddaughter) I thought I'd turn in just before 10. I made the big mistake of popping outside and lo and behold...stars! Set the Seestar up in 5 minutes and been happily on the Iris Nebula since, funny how a bit of astro stimulation makes you feel better!