Rob

Really nice!.. thanks for posting

Fabulous scope. The CA is almost negligible. I miss mine lots... it only got sold for finance reasons 15 odd years ago! grrrr

Enjoy it.. I know you will.

Viewing planets during the day / twilight can be very rewarding indeed, and should never be pushed aside. Glad you enjoyed!

Rob 

On 08/10/2020 at 07:26, kirkster501 said:

So frustrating to get to Bortle 1/2 even 3 skies and it’s clouded out.  Happened to me earlier this year in North Cornwall, Bortle 2, and saw the stars once in ten days.
I sometimes think we emotionally  associate the lower Bortles with clear skies. I know I do.  But there’s no connection between the two whatsoever of course.

Sorry to hear you were mostly clouded out!.. my Bortle 2 visit was North Cornwall last year in October. Deffo another visit post Covid that's for sure.

I experienced Bortle 2 skies last year for 5 days ..... amazing!. Only issue is it tarnished my B5 skies back home. Took a while to adjust back TBH

2003 was amazing. I had a 114mm Newt and managed a crazy amount of detail.. will stay with me forever!

F8 100... A  visual observers dream. Congrats, and enjoy!

Rob

Great post @John could not have said it better. Thanks

8 minutes ago, geoflewis said:

13th is Mars opposition, i.e. Earth directly between the Sun and Mars, but Earth overtook Mars in it's orbit yesterday, so that was actually the closest encounter.

Thanks for this. Just need to get out there now!. Rob

Much to my pain. I've not been able to observe Mars yet due to a leg & arm injury for the past 7 weeks. I'm now in the position to start again, the weather has been awful down here but shows promise for the weekend (small window) so I'm keeping everything crossed.

I had info showing the 13th to be maximum, but we have the whole month & beyond of course... just so desperate to get out now.

Very nice.... well done

To be fair I don't think I have that grub screw?!!.. I will check later. I just don't recall seeing it in the kit from Telescope house back in 2018. I had no instructions sent with it either!!. I had to call them and they claimed "push on and tighten the grub!.

I'm always the one that questions why I have something left over. 

3 minutes ago, johninderby said:

One thing I’ve found is that you mustn’t overtighten the new little grub screw that goes on the top. Too loose and the fine focus doesn’t work but too tight and the main knob won’t turn properly.

Thanks @johninderby I must admit I didn't look at that, just the worn rounded grub that holds the 1:10 on the shaft. Guess I've just been concentrating on full removal!.

Rob

@Dean HaleGlad you have this fixed. I had (and still have an issue). I bought the 1:10 upgrade and it kinda works when it wants too. I now have that stuck on there due to the grub looking similar to yours.. I know what needs to be done, which is further grease needs to be applied in the 1:10 knob itself, but it also has a rounded grub in the black 1:10 knob, so I can't remove it!.. needless to say I've just ordered some allen drivers. 

I have had the focuser out expose the shaft (like you had done). Did you note the bearings that hold the shaft?.. I'm wondering if they will tap out?.. I want to remove the shaft fully to work with it on the bench. did you notice if this so?.

Thanks Rob

1 hour ago, alex_stars said:

Just came in this morning, new parts for my planetary observation setup with my 180 Mak:

Vixen SLV 15mm, two Baader #2458125 focusing 1.25" eyepiece holders and in the front a 2"SCtoT2 adapter and a T2 adapter for my TS 1.25" diagonal.

That will create a new, lightweight visual back for my Mak. Will post when it's done.

love the Baader #2458125 focusing adapter.... such a valuable piece of kit!. awesome. and would not be without it

@F15Rules Hoping for clear skies soon for you Dave!. I should be good to lift the HEQ5 by the weekend (well going to try it!) hope the skies down here come back too. \nice upgrade on your scope there, will serve you well.

Best Rob

That's fantastic!... great work there

I have not managed Mars yet due to injury and illness this past month. I'm now finally on the mend, and hope to be out by the weekend. Those that know me and how passionate I am about Mars will appreciate I've been going nuts that I can't get out there.

Some really nice pictures and reports coming in mind.. thanks all Rob

4 minutes ago, Saganite said:

A year or so ago my Binoculars looked as bad as that after  being caught in a rainstorm, in spite of my best attempt at protecting them, even water on the prisms, but 3 days in the boiler cupboard in a bag of  of rice fixed them.

I hope you have a good result.

Top advice here!..this would be the very first approach I'd go with, then if need be steps to separate the lens and fully clean with baader liquid (which contains anti fungus protection)... by the way I have done this before.

good luck.

Rob

4 minutes ago, Robindonne said:

So its kind of safe to say that a 12/14” dob, 130mm refractor and a c11 are the ones to bring with you to the end. All smaller versions will probably always show you those “missing” details.  

its a 'one size does not fit all' situation - yes. but that's a nice mix of OTA's in my book

The aperture fever thing is indeed something we all go through..however the comment of 'the best telescope is the one you use the most' holds its truth. I now find work & family dictate my observing, an as much as I'd like a 12" truss dob.. I may only be out for 1.5 hours inc setup!.. so I have found the happy medium with what I have now, sure I'd love a big light bucket, but accept its more like a retirement option for me.

Rob

you could remove the main part of focuser from part that fits to the tube (3 grub screws), get an off cut of wood and carefully tap the adapter home into the tube

I agree. an 8" Newt is a fantastic all rounder. Are you fine for storage etc. Just a another thing to consider

I've seen so much spectacular images from our Friends and colleagues here on SGL. Now I'm no Astroimager myself, but I nearly chocked on my sandwich at lunchtime while seeing this!... I sat back and said 'seriously!' .. humm. I'm also an Art lover (classical to be fair), but this is one step too far for me.

I feel cheated on behalf of all our great imagers here.. sorry guys

Rob

Great capture.. nice going