dweller25

Yes, as others have said cool down and collimation must be well done. Despite your scope being in a shed it will still need to be cooled down when you bring it outside - best way is to remove the rear end cap and point the scope down. Alternately you could try a couple of layers of Reflectix.

Thanks Bish

You could try wrapping your SCT with Reflectix and extending your dew shield with a cheap foam camping mat

Thanks, cloudy here for the next 7 days 🙁

Hello, went out at 16:00UT tonight as clouds were forecast for 18:00 onwards. Seeing was quite good - AIII to AII and Syrtis Major was almost central and showing decent contrast against the Martian sand. Managed to see the SPC after 15 minutes of looking - very small and dim now. Dew could be seen all around the preceding limb - brighter to the south. The light coloured Hellas region could be seen below Syrtis Major. Drawing done between 16:45 and 17:00UT, Takahashi FC100DZ at x192 and x240, CM=289'

I went out early as the forecast said it was going to cloud over at 18:00, just looked out now at 21:30 and it’s still clear 😱

Hello @Peter Drew, I had identical viewing conditions from 16:45 to 17:00, Although I had to drop magnification from x240 to x192 for best results 👍 quite a reasonable view. @John, yes thats how I saw it but there was a slight right angle on the preceding side of Syrtis Major. Hellas was quite easy too along with mist on the preceding limb. I looked for 15 minutes before I saw the SPC - it’s hard now in the 4” - and even then I only glimpsed it for a second or two. @johnturley - hope you took a photo ? Will post a drawing tomorrow.....

As Zermelo suggests, a decent 8-24 Zoom - like the Baader may be a good option (x163 to x54).

Which scope did you use @johnturley ?

Syrtis Major will be central 🙂

I posted some Mars observations in the sketching section.

Here is a computer simulation of how Mars looked last night under perfect conditions..... I can see all the main areas in the simulation in your top image👍 I was out briefly last night at 16:30 and the seeing was very poor.

Yes, I am also finding the quick setup and cool down of the 4” allows me to take advantage of good gaps in the weather that otherwise I would not have set up for 🙂

Well John, We both have some great scopes, but perhaps the question is..... How much astronomy can you do with a 4” Frac ? 😁

Had a look at Jupiter at 16:30 and for 2 seconds saw the GRS

Well, here is the next best option..... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-200p-dobsonian.html This is what it can do......

Hello, this is probably my last sketch of Mars this time around as it's getting small and the features are really hard to see in a 4" Refractor. This was a surprise observation as it has been cloudy and raining all day, but suddenly the sky cleared so out I went - but seeing was average to poor. The phase is now very obvious. The South Polar Cap could just be seen - both small and dim. I could not see the polar hood. The dark markings around the equator had no real detail. There was a light area to the right of the SPC. There was a much brighter area - that really stood out - on the preceding limb to the left of the SPC and above that was another slightly less bright area. I really must learn some names ! Takahashi FC100DZ, x240, Binoviewers, 20:30UT, seeing AIII at best, CM=47'

Hello @AstroNtinos and welcome to SGL. A Celestron C6 or C8 SCT may be the best compromise for all your requirements.

Great Lunar shots 👍

Sounds like the Skyliner 200 does not suit you and the 127 Mak does suit you. Maybe time to thin the collection ? The skyliner will give a little more brightness on DSO’s and a little more planetary resolution on nights of good seeing, but comfort and ease of use is very important when we are out and that is where the Mak wins. Maybe sell the 127 and 200 and get a C6 SCT ?

+1 👍

I used the Tak dovetail for the DZ.....

Yup, though Rob Miller sold me it from the Luton office.

Here’s my first scope bought when I was 25 in 1986.

Thanks John, Yes it could be that the SPC is starting to extend again now