Jiggy 67

I’m a visual observer with an EQ mount. I don’t need the level of polar alignment required for Astro photography, and provided by plate solving etc but I do like as accurate pa as I can get using the polar scope so I can track and improve GoTo accuracy. The single most useful accessory I have ever bought is the right angled eyepiece for polar scope 

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

Makes life so easy, quick and accurate 

I think “wow” is a great description of a great night, it ain’t all about ticking off the targets, just looking can be amazing as well 

Thanks @tooth_dr that’s what I thought, just wanted to be sure 

Hi all,

I have the SW 100ED refractor and I am considering the Baader ClickLock upgrade, this one....

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/baader-click-lock-2956256-m56-celestron-skywatcher.html

Before I do, can anyone answer a fitting question as thread sizes always confuse me. Referring to the photo below, is the M56 thread unscrewed at the knurled part closest to the red end cap or the knurled part closest to the OTA?? Is it just a case of unscrewing it and screwing the clickLock in as a replacement??

14F8EDD3-3AD8-46A3-8255-9E49AEAF7A1D.heic

My insurance covers “items kept in garden up to £750” separate from “garden equipment and furniture “  so I assume my Astro equipment is covered up to that value 

@domstar cancel, found S Mon 👍

1 hour ago, domstar said:

@Jiggy 67 Yes, indeed. That with the Crab together is one of my most satisfying views of the last few sessions. I'm very pleased to have split S Mon in the Christmas tree cluster. A lovely sight with three tiny doubles around it. I've done a lot of double stars recently but I'm looking forward to some galaxies soon.

We think alike, I’ve also done a lot of doubles, working my way through the Cambridge Double Star Atlas but I don’t think I have had a go at S Mon (but I will be), what’s the catalogue number? Or full name. Galaxies are my nemesis in my skies but I will also be trying a few in Leo and elsewhere if the clouds clear 

45 minutes ago, domstar said:

Great report and some great targets on your list. There's a nice double right near the Crab Nebula. I can get them both in the field at 45x. The Hamburger  galaxy gave me no end of problems. Hope you get it this season.

Would that be HD 37013?? I got that a couple of weeks ago, nice white/orange primary and a pale blue companion, lovely double. I also got a hint of the Crab which surprised me on a mooney night

Great report. The Beehive is one of the best!!

19 minutes ago, estwing said:

Elan is 3hrs for me..tho Isle of Skye is 11hrs..😂

Hey estwing, been looking at a cottage on the Isle of Skye, was thinking November, possibly after Galloway get together but what’s the weather like at that time of year??.....I believe it can be brutal.....I know you love it there

@evertonian7uk From a City fan to an Everton fan (I assume) welcome to the forum 😀

1 hour ago, heliumstar said:

but it looks like I need some socks

How about heated socks for those really cold stargazing nights, they are excellent 😀

https://uk.bestreviews.guide/amp/heated-socks

SkySafari has a built in scale with a drop down menu for seeing when you are recording your observations which is quite useful 

Nothing wrong with that...... It’s a piece of art ain’t it? 😀  And yes, just screw filters on to the bottom 

5 minutes ago, barbulo said:

the supposed position of Polaris in the finder scope is completely away

Do you mean the finderscope or the polar scope??? Polaris won’t be central in the finderscope regardless of pa because the finderscope isn’t pointing at Polaris. 
If you can see Polaris you should be able to accurately polar align using an app or the method @Owmuchonomy described .

 I have to disagree with @dannybgoode I think the more accurate your pa the more accurate your pointing accuracy. Over the years I have tried GoTo with and without accurate pa and pointing accuracy is always more accurate with accurate pa in my experience. 
Concentrate on your pa and you may find pointing accuracy will improve 

Love the way you’ve captured the faint stars in the Trapezium

Unfortunately I can’t share my list as it’s a spreadsheet which is half filled in by me with my obs sorry. There are lists available on SkySafari if you have it

I’m with you Kon, planetary nebula are my most favorite object, they provide great satisfaction and beauty when when you bag them.

Im currently working through a list of 80 pn’s but having observed the easier ones they are beginning to get a lot more difficult! 😀

3 hours ago, cloudsweeper said:

SAO not in handset

Nice set of targets......Have you considered inputting the RA and DEC in the handset?....I’m sure you have 

I’m still waiting for my last purchase due to COVID etc!!.....let alone my next purchase 😫

You don’t tell it the home position, “home” is the position you start from

Welcome to the forum Gavin. The Bortle scale is a measure of the brightness of the sky in your area. In my experience it is very unreliable, Clear Outside states my area is a 6 but I suspect it’s higher as published elsewhere. I don’t think a field would change much but it is clearly better than having house’s overlook your observing site. If you’re in a 6 you’re in a 6, I don’t think you can lower it. There are devices including apps that can measure the brightness of your sky.
Unfortunately light pollution is a curse to all of us, we just have to deal with it the best we can

Sorry @Jasonb your photo caused me think you were on about the primary collimation 

7 hours ago, John said:

applying the locking screws can change the collimation a little, which is annoying, so I leave them loose

I also leave the locking screws loose, just resting against the plate as tightening them can cause you to chase your tail trying to collimate  as John says

i’m pretty sure that storing the scope upright on the primary collimation screws would cause you to lose collimation slightly, I don’t know if there is a right or wrong way but I wouldn’t be comfortable storing it the other way up with the primary pointing downwards fighting gravity...but that’s just me.

 I collimate every time I move the scope anyway, only takes a minor adjustment of a couple of minutes with a laser

27 minutes ago, Jasonb said:

Thanks John!

I understand exactly what you mean about the primary mirror screws, but I should have explained, that I've read about tightening the tilt screws with regard to the secondary adjustment (in the Astrobaby guide). To my mind any adjustment on those screws moves the mirror, so I don't see how tightening them after getting it perfect doesn't just ruin it again? 

No you don’t tighten the collimation screws, they are adjustment screws, you tighten the lock screws once you’re happy with your collimation. Just tighten the lock screws hand tight and expect to collimate regularly. I always store mine upright on the primary end

Amazing, looks like mine after a 2 star alignment and a couple of whiskys 🤣 Happy 30th 🎉