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@Stu1smartcookie Nice! I love those reassuringly chunky alloy knobs on those plates, it just feels so much more secure!

at least i have a flattener

I am interested in purchasing the Geoptik Nadira observing chair and was looking for vendors that will ship it to the USA. Any help would be appreciated. Clear skies and thank you.

been some time since i've used any processing software and gimp is free. i can basically open and save stuff, but i'd like to try, er cloning/smoothing out some parts of the starless image outputted from starnet, from a sprial galaxy image. mainly just to see if i can then stretch it further before bringing out too much noise. im gonna watch the link below but just wondered where the 'stretch view' (like i use in siril) is located or called? i can't google it if i don't know the official term. Also i assume gimp has a basic clone type tool for me to play about with?

You definitely will not need a flattener. John

I've shot the moon with a 90mm f6, barlow and a small pixel camera (178MM). It can be done. Requires fast frame rate video and autostakkert etc Jupiter and Saturn require longer focal lengths

ADM , Skytee Clamp ...and a 2" Stella Mira Diagonal , delivered this morning by the Royal Mail .

I suggest you buy and read Steve Richards' book "Making Every Photon Count" (available from FLO). Then research any newer developments (e.g. Siril software) online.

Had my wife look through it who admittedly is not and astronomer, but has good eyesight. She saw the same artifact as me on the stars and Jupiter. The Starfield is currently away for testing at FLO. Will be interested to see what the outcome is.

@Alan White Alan, if I may, what is the empty filter frame used for? I've seen this before my friend?

Ty all for this need to have a detailed read. I thought maybe I could use a Barlow, screw it all together in image train and get (eg) 1000mm and f12 ish. The low f wouldn't matter planets are bright. As usual seems not. But need to read all the above in detail first. Ty again

@LaurenceT Hi Laurence! No honestly thank you for the constructive feedback my friend! I really would prefer people were totally honest with me so I can recognise my mistakes and improve my astro-images! So in relation to the micro-sd and dongle issue, you're 100% correct, all it was, was I forgot to change the settings in my Air to save files to Dongle instead of sd card! lol. I ended up finally working out how to transfer all the files direct from my Air's sd card to my home computer via WiFI. It was literally my first ever night gathering data using my Air in place of my Laptop. So i'm still learning but i'm fairly pleased with my progress thus far! Kind Regards, Wes.

If you just need the knob, well a knob is a knob. A knob from an electronics store might work. Failing that, as a last resort you can have one made - just drill and tap a piece of round stock and fit a grubscrew in it.

@Alan White Did you like it? Sometimes old legends and stories are , well, let's say unscientific 😃 and I've found some people a tad disappointed that Romanian lore IS almost exclusively 'story' oriented . Somehow between the Romans, the Turks , the Tatars , the Rus , the Huns and so on and so forth coming to kill us , no real science was highly developed except those required for survival like food preservation ( like telemea cheese ) walls ( Murus Dacicus) and Uber stealth ( long standing joke about the host of Jabarkas the Terrible not finding a soul to kill , so they stopped to drink water , tied the horses from a great tree, and when he looked back his host horses disappeared , and a 'Thank you' note was pinned on the tree) and orientation ( the Milky Way wa named Calea Robilor - The Slave Road - because it was used for bearing by the captured romanians running from slavery )

There are other things to look at, such as clusters (a couple of nice globulars in Hercules for example) and hundreds of double stars. I'm in Sheffield too and the LED streetlights here puts paid to any kind of deep sky observing unless you are willing to go out into the Peak District. There's a narrow dark strip down the centre there if you find the right place.

See also this "morsels" I created. Anton (www.astronomy-morsels.ch) Saros-Inex Cycles, Panorama V1.0.xlsx

Postie Pete has been and delivered. a little filter based haul 🙂 First up a pair of Baader 2" Empty Filter frames, oddly cheaper delivered from Telescopes Canada than a UK supplier or Baader themselves. Allowed me to remount the Orion Ultrablock that I was very kindly given, but sadly I could not screw onto my then only 2" EP. And finally a Japan Made 80A filter, Bargain off eBay 👍

Interesting list of updates on the synscan pro update just released, I've installed it and just need the sky to clear

I'm hoping to have the funds by the end of May, touch wood. I'm still not sure what to do. I'm currently thinking, maybe a 12 inch solid tube dob that I can easily set up on my own, and a 16 inch that can easily be set up by two people, if needs be. Maybe go all-in on StellaLyra, with the 12" solid tube and 16" truss? Though I am also still tempted by the Celestron StarSense for the 12 inch scope, and am warming to the idea of actually making use of the StarSense feature. Some folks seem to find it a joy to use, and it potentially would be the scope I use the most. One thing for the StellaLyra scopes is they look good bang for buck. Those sizes come with right-angle finders and dual speed focusers, for example. Though we do have a good spare focuser. And FLO's customer service is great. Against OOUK, some negative comments on their customer service I've seen on SGL bug me. I'm feeling more positive about GSO mirrors after reading multiple positive comments. I thought I'd ask ChatGPT as well, and have a bit of fun asking! My convo with the AI is below. The strength and IQ thing is just me being a bit silly and wanting the AI to not go lighter than I'm fine with, and the IQ was a silly reference to a joke I made in the lounge. I like the idea that I should consider buying the 13 mm Ethos! 😁 ----- LukeTheNuke: What is the best lightweight telescope option brand and model with the largest aperture that has no single part that weighs more than 25 kg and that can easily be moved and set up by one adult male of above average strength and intelligence, with an IQ of 404? PS make it a big one. ChatGPT: The best lightweight telescope option with the largest aperture that can be easily moved and set up by one person would be the Sky-Watcher S11530 Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope. With a 127mm aperture and weighing just under 9 kg, this telescope is portable and easy to set up solo. It also offers excellent image quality and is a popular choice among amateur astronomers. LukeTheNuke: What's the lightest 16 inch commercially available telescope? ChatGPT: The lightest commercially available 16-inch telescope is likely the Meade LX65 16" ACF telescope, which weighs around 135 pounds without the mount. LukeTheNuke: What's the lightest 16 inch dobsonian telescope on the market? ChatGPT: One of the lightest 16 inch Dobsonian telescopes currently available on the market is the Sky-Watcher Flextube 16" Collapsible Dobsonian Telescope. This telescope features a collapsible design that makes it easier to transport and set up compared to traditional solid-tube Dobsonians. It weighs approximately 93 lbs (42 kg), making it relatively lightweight for its size. LukeTheNuke: Does that weight include the base, or is it the OTA only? It makes a difference to my back. PS I already had one of those [sigh]. ChatGPT: The weight typically refers to the Optical Tube Assembly (OTA) only and does not include the base. It's important to consider the total weight when carrying or transporting the equipment to avoid strain on your back. LukeTheNuke: Tell me about it! That's why I sold the Sky-Watcher Flextube 16" Collapsible Dobsonian Telescope. Are you sure there isn't a lighter one than that? Do you work for Synta? ChatGPT: I'm sorry, I don't work for Synta or any telescope company. The Sky-Watcher Flextube 16" Collapsible Dobsonian Telescope is definitely a heavy and bulky telescope, which is why you may have decided to sell it. There are definitely lighter options available, such as smaller Dobsonian telescopes or other types of telescopes like refractors or compound telescopes. It really depends on your specific needs and preferences. LukeTheNuke: What's the best refractor for me to get that weighs less than a Sky-Watcher Flextube 16" Collapsible Dobsonian Telescope but will give equivalent views of deep sky objects? PS are you a frac or dob type of person? ChatGPT: If you are looking for a refractor telescope that weighs less than a Sky-Watcher Flextube 16" Collapsible Dobsonian Telescope but can still provide equivalent views of deep sky objects, you may want to consider the Takahashi TSA-120 or the William Optics FLT 132. Both of these refractors are known for their high-quality optics and ability to provide crisp, clear views of celestial objects. As for whether I am a refractor or Dobsonian type of person, I am an AI digital assistant and do not have personal preferences. It ultimately comes down to your own preferences and priorities in terms of portability, ease of use, and desired viewing experience. Both refractors and Dobsonian telescopes have their own strengths and limitations, so it's important to consider what factors are most important to you when making a decision. LukeTheNuke: Well I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want: the largest dob that won't give me a hernia. My budget is about £5K. I currently have a 10 inch GSO dob, which I find very light. I'm looking for something bigger, but not as heavy as the Sky-Watcher Flextube 16" Collapsible Dobsonian Telescope. What do you suggest? I know you're an AI digital assistant and do not have personal preferences, but if you had to buy a telescope today, for up to £5K, that wouldn't give you a hernia if you were a human (please use your imagination), what would you get? ChatGPT: If I were to recommend a telescope within your budget that is larger than your current 10 inch dob without being too heavy, I would suggest looking into the Orion SkyQuest XT12i IntelliScope Truss Dobsonian Telescope. This telescope has a 12 inch aperture which will provide you with increased light gathering power and better viewing capabilities compared to your current 10 inch dob. The truss tube design also helps to reduce the overall weight of the telescope, making it easier to transport and set up compared to the Sky-Watcher Flextube 16" Collapsible Dobsonian Telescope. This telescope is also within your budget range and should be a great option for upgrading to a larger dobsonian telescope without the risk of giving yourself a hernia. LukeTheNuke: What would be the biggest option for upgrading the Orion SkyQuest XT12i IntelliScope Truss Dobsonian Telescope that would be without the risk of giving myself a hernia? That one sounds like a winner! ChatGPT: One possible option to upgrade the Orion SkyQuest XT12i IntelliScope Truss Dobsonian Telescope without the risk of straining yourself would be to invest in a motorized equatorial tracking mount. This would allow you to automatically track celestial objects as they move across the night sky, eliminating the need for manual adjustments and reducing the physical strain of constantly moving and adjusting the telescope. Additionally, you could consider upgrading the eyepieces and accessories to enhance your viewing experience without adding significant weight to the telescope. LukeTheNuke: Ah, cool. I mostly use the Tele Vue 21 mm Ethos eyepiece. What eyepiece should I upgrade it to that will make the Orion SkyQuest XT12i IntelliScope Truss Dobsonian Telescope really sing? ChatGPT: If you're looking to upgrade from the Tele Vue 21mm Ethos eyepiece for your Orion SkyQuest XT12i IntelliScope Truss Dobsonian Telescope, you may want to consider investing in a higher quality eyepiece that can provide better clarity and resolution. Some popular options that many astronomers recommend for this telescope are the Tele Vue 13mm Ethos eyepiece, the Explore Scientific 14mm 100-degree Series eyepiece, or the Pentax XW 14mm eyepiece. These eyepieces are known for their excellent performance and can help enhance your viewing experience with your telescope. Ultimately, the best choice will depend on your personal preferences and budget.

Further to my entry yesterday where I stated that it was fine on windows 11, I stacked a few from last night and tried the programme, it failed like others reported. I then loaded it into photoshop and did a few curve stretches, saved it back into original folder. Tried the Graxpert again, worked without error.

@Bivanus Thank you again for the link, I got it on Kindle to see how it went, have now ordered the paperback version.

I would also note, that while you mention wanting to view the planets (as above, better in the second half of the year), it is also not astronomically dark now until around 10:30pm so deep sky objects will be better after this time. Unfortunately, we are not too far away from no astronomical darkness for a few months in the UK, not that it has ever stopped me before.

While planets are porely placed at the time, there are a couple of deep sky object that are a must for any beginner! Right now, towards the Western horizon, you should be able to find the Pleiades (and your telescope should frame them neatly, if you have a ~25mm eyepiece)! They are bright enough that you can see them even before it gets very dark. They are roughly between the constellations of Taurus and Perseus. A good planetarium software, such as Stellarium, will show you the way. Otherwise, another favorite of these time of the year is the Beehive cluster, up in Cancer - that's visible until later! Try and tell us how it went

Very impressive work! Looks pure class, and yep smooth movements are so important at the EP 😎

It's a bad time for planets currently. Jupiter disappears in the evening twilight while Saturn and Mars are just above the horizon at sunrise. But don't worry, things get much, much better in the second half of this year! If you download an app like Stellarium, you can find out exactly which planets are visible from your location. Clear skies!