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Astro Imp

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  1. I was recently recommended this from my local librarian.
    GOTO Telescopes Under Surburban Skies
    Author:- Neale Monks 
    This one in the series of Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy.
    Published by Springer
    ISBN 978-1-4419-6850-0
    For those of us who start an observing session and after the first few targets run out of ideas this is a really helpful guide.
    The book is arranged by season and is written assuming an 8" SCT is used although comments when smaller scopes will suffice are included.
    There are no star charts or "star hops" as the use of GOTO is taken for granted.
    Each season starts with brief descriptions of "show piece" objects followed by more challenging deep sky objects and finishing with interesting, colourful and binary stars.
    The winter section contains 77 DSO and 28 stars. Advice on what filter, if any, for the object under discussion is included.
    To make it easy and to save having to jump around various menus in the handset all DSOs are referred to by their NGC numbers although where appropriate Messier numbers are also noted. The stars are given their SAO numbers and also their common name when there is one and the Bayer designation.
    There are some sketches of what to expect but these are produced from Starry Night Pro rather than real  eye piece drawings.
    Although like most observing guides there are a number of objects which are difficult/impossible for us in the higher latitudes there are still plenty of targets to keep us observing for many evenings.
    Certainly for me I find this a helpful book which will help in compiling observing lists, when we get the opportunity to get out under the night skies.

     

    • Like 7
  2. Although I lived through the Apollo missions and vividly recall waiting for Apollo 8 to make contact after it's first disappearance behind the moon at Christmas 1968 I was never in a position to own any equipment 'til relatively recently. 
    Reading the thoughts of the experienced and knowledgeable members I have found interesting and enlightening.
    Thank you to all who have contributed.

    • Like 3
    • Thanks 1
  3. Just realised the Skywatcher synscan hand controller isn't very consistent when entering objects by number in the various catalogues. Whereas the deep sky catalogues don't require a leading zero as place holder, ie M35 just enter 35 in the Messier list the SAO catalogue requires a leading zero, ie for SAO 44317 you need to enter 0443 to start and then press enter to scroll to 044317. 
    Hope this help others who have had problems as the user manual makes no mention of this little quirk.

    • Like 2
  4. 2 hours ago, souls33k3r said:

    Oh and one issue that i did find with the scope was that it kept on slipping in the tube rings even when the tube rings were super tight. Seems like the felt in the tube rings isn't good enough to hold the weight. The scope would come to a halt when it would slide and pressed against the dew shield. Any suggestions?

    I seem to remember reading a couple of weeks ago somebody else had this problem with a scope purchased from RVO. The good folk there arranged for replacement rings, apparently it's a known issue. I shall be picking my scope up tomorrow and will get Ian at RVO to check before bringing it home.

  5. 31 minutes ago, dannybgoode said:

    I see this advice a lot and to give a contrary view I find the hunt frustrating and the ‘thrill’ of finally finding an object is massively outweighed by the disappointment of realising I could have viewed two or three more objects in the time it took me to find the first. 

    I'm pleased to see you write this, I completely concur, having GOTO has completely changed my observing and made my nights under the stars far more enjoyable.
    I realise this is a personal preference but one size doesn't fit all.

    • Like 2
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