Jiggy 67

Nice but you’d need a flatbed to get half of that to your local star party!! 🤣

1 hour ago, John said:

I'm very impressed at how organised and systematic people are about planning observing sessions 👍

Makes me feel a little guilty for my rather casual approach 🙄

I might have one of two targets in mind but after that it's whatever takes my fancy. Typical "space tourist" 😉

 

 

Nothing like “old school “ is there John….you could probably find a fly on the dark side of Europa, but the rest of us need a little help!! 🤣🤣

1 hour ago, globular said:

 This limits slewing - but I do miss some objects because they are gone before I get to that part of the sky.

Exactly the reason for my original post. Don’t add over slewing into the mix!! 😩 As I’m using a reflector, not only do I have to think about the order of observing but also where the eyepiece is going to end up after slewing!!

2 hours ago, JamesGlasgow said:

However I get the feeling already that I might be on a uphill struggle.
 

 

Like the rest of us, it will be an uphill struggle for the rest of your life.......but it's great fun struggling uphill so ask away!! Enjoy

@Stu That's pretty simple, I take it the green is telling you the optimal time to observe?? 

2 minutes ago, John said:

You have already had some good advice. All I will add is that I always try and finish on a couple of "easy" targets rather than something too challenging. That way I end a session in a positive frame of mind 🙂 

Absolutely...theres nothing worse than going to bed having failed on your last couple of targets. 

7 minutes ago, globular said:

I think your best bet is to invite me along and I'll give you a hand 😁

It's amazing what happens when you mention Scotch Whisky!

Thanks @Stu.....luckily, I am also IOS only!...I will have a look at that app. I was already thinking that it's best to order objects as per "set" as that will cover everything that comes before the "set" time...I'm thinking "set" will come first, followed by "transit" and then "rise".........sometimes you just need someone to confirm your thinking.

Hi all,

Been away for a while due to work commitments and such like, in fact i'm ashamed to say that it's been more than 18 months since I last got any of my scopes out 😮‍💨 but I intend to do a lot more observing over the coming season, starting with a trip to Wales where we have recently bought a new static caravan under far darker skies than I enjoy at home.......I've booked a few days off work either side of the New Moon on 13th November and I intend to go purely for the purpose of astronomy....so the wife is staying at home with the dog...just me, the scope and a bottle of fine scotch whisky (and the odd Indian takeaway).

In preparation, I am putting together an observing list on SkySafari 6 Plus which includes, almost exclusively, of objects i have never been able to observe from my light polluted skies at home, the remnants of the Messier catalogue (those available in November), some globs, and my personal favourites, quite a few fainter planetary nebula. I will probably revisit some old favourites and get some coloured doubles in as well.

As most of those who use SkySafari know, you can order your observation list in a number of ways, in fact, quite a number of ways, and I've never really got my head around the best way to do it, examples are "Transit Time", "Rise Time" and "Set Time". 

I want to organise my time through the night to maximise the best time to observe all the objects in the list in the best possible order (we're talking GoTo by the way)...so......what is the best option for sorting your list, Transit, Rise or Set???.....I won't even mention all the other options in the list, declination, azimuth, ascension etc 😖.......although "Altitude" might be an option.

Opinions please

It all depends on what you want to do. you've identified your first problem....EQ mounts are not designed for scanning the sky, they are designed so you can track objects once you have found them, so, if you want to take photos or stay on one object with it staying in the field of view, then an eq is what you want (however, that presents further issues in the form of polar alignment). You are also correct in that an eq1 is garbage. My first mount was an EQ1, it was really hard work so I progressed to an EQ5 which i then adapted to GoTo and then on to an EQ6-R-Pro.......the difference is huge. Personally I like to stay on my objects for quite some time, after all , it's usually been a pain in the backside finding it, so i like to study it, make notes and remember it so I have a driven EQ that will do that with ease, sometimes staying in the fov for as much as an hour or more

My advice would be, decide what you want to achieve and then save up to buy what will service that achievement, no matter what you decide, get rid of the EQ1.......eventually.

On 08/03/2023 at 08:08, RobertI said:

I only have Interstellarum, but I have found it to be a brilliant resource, very thoughtfully put together, and good for planning sessions. A couple of the features I like are the way it indicates what is the minimum scope size for each object (4”, 8” or 12”) and also shows you what filters are best on each nebula.

Totally agree. I also made a Telrad template for Interstellarium.........

You've clearly ordered far too much gear from FLO recently, the May Contain Clouds effect is accumulative based on the number of orders placed 

SkySafari is very useful for lists

21 hours ago, scblue01 said:

don't mind getting down on my knees, on cold stone, nor do I mind straining my neck to 50+ deg, but I do struggle with aligning that PA reticle

For the above, these are a god send

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/astro-essentials-right-angled-eyepiece-for-polar-scopes.html

2 hours ago, Skipjack said:

Great way to keep logs! Isn't handwritten lists much more appealing than computer generated lists? Good work and clear skies.

I don't know, I think the electronic version can be good fun as well........

Screenshot 2023-01-24 at 18.06.59.pdf

Just as a side issue. If you are using a SynScan hand controller to align. The third star on a three star alignment has no effect on pointing accuracy. It does not contribute whatsoever. The purpose of the third star is to account and compensate for cone error which is why the third star should be on the opposite side of the meridian from the first two.  Cone error becomes far worse when you point towards an object on the opposite side of the meridian from your alignment stars so if you don’t suffer from cone error and/or your night’s targets are on the same side as your alignment stars (which is best practice) you don’t need the third star and it won’t improve your accuracy. Two star alignment is all you need. 

10 minutes ago, Ratlet said:

I'm the opposite lol.  I started of chasing astrophotography and realised there is nothing to do whilst the rig does its thing so bought a visual setup to keep me occupied.

Now I'm just greedy.  It's like a full meal of observation and sketching and then in the morning I get to look at the data the astrorig pulled (and then try and diagnose what the hell went wrong with it)

I know what you mean. I’ve been visually observing for years and find that I’m busy all night through every session….observing, finding, planning, Star mapping, changing eyepieces and filters to mention just a few of the jobs. I can’t imagine AP being like that

I’m a visual observer who has just bought a DSLR to give AP a go so I’ll watch but no matter what visual observing will always be my first love……I do hope they explain in very basic English though 🤣

I’ve got the mount on order and should arrive next week I think with FLO receiving the latest delivery. I ordered the mount only, I already have a tripod and the extension pier. I’m a bit concerned with @Astroscot2 review but looking at the photo, the mount appears to be well loaded up, are you sure that is only 4kg? 
I have no experience of AP and intend to use it with a Canon 250D to start with. Looking forward to contributing to this thread 👍

7 hours ago, Physopto said:

Hypocrisy

Just incase some here ( Ian) don't understand the meaning.  😂

  People who fein not  to eat many  pies while they chomp away on them all night in the warm room? 

They are engaging in hypocrisy, or behavior that is different from what they say they believe. A hypocrite is a person who practices hypocrisy: what they say is not what they do.

,

🤣

……..I’d take the same view as a doctor……you know, when he asks how much you drink and he secretly doubles the amount you say 🤣

Two pies for me please.

Thanks

Darren

5 minutes ago, Taraobservatory said:

Hello, 

 

I tried to search this online and didnt find anyting. Im not using FB so how can I get some info on this? How to look and maybe book?

 

Cheers

Roger

https://www.drumroamin.co.uk/index.htm

3 minutes ago, Taraobservatory said:

Hello, 

 

I tried to search this online and didnt find anyting. Im not using FB so how can I get some info on this? How to look and maybe book?

 

Cheers

Roger

Just Google the campsite and give Leslie a call quoting the Star Party 

Your manual will tell you which remote to use, my 250D does. I wanted a decent intervelometre for mine for multiple long exposures so went for the below for not much more money
 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTC2IAH/ref=emc_b_5_t

Well it looks like we might be good for a few nights in the week….Just in time for the full moon!!  😢😢