Jiggy 67

I observe under similar skies with an 8” reflector and can see plenty of planetary nebulae and emission nebulae, reflection nebulae can be more challenging. Filters can assist and I wouldn’t be without them but, even under these skies, some objects are better without, it really depends on the object, it’s magnitude and sky conditions at the time. Be assured, your scope will enable you to view thousands of objects under your skies and I would definitely invest in filters, I have Astronomik UHC, O111, Baader Moon and Skyglow and contrast booster. With or without filters a lot of objects take patience, good dark adaptation and trial and error

You send that photo with the fact that you’re an amateur astronomer to the council, they may do something about that for you

Your collimation based on the photos is fine, probably better than mine is a lot of the time. I agree with @Sunshine don’t stress about it too much. As a side note, the slop you refer too is common in cheaper lasers. There are others such as the HoTech that use a compression ring to keep the collimator secure and central in the focuser

Yeh, didn’t he reply to one of your posts Stu? 😂

Hate to say this but it sounds faulty

I find it hard to believe your collimation being slightly out (which it doesn’t really appear to have been) would cause the issue you describe, much more likely to be conditions outside I’ve never noticed weather conditions affecting collimation but, then again, I’ve never checked immediately after a session, I don’t think I want to either, there’s enough to obsess about as it is!! 🤣

I didn’t go out last night despite it being clear, because there was very high humidity, about 95% where I am. With low temperatures I think this can cause heavy dew, soaking everything and poor seeing. Could this have been your problem rather than collimation?

Yeh.......Best of luck with that.....🤔😀

Great report, always good to get back out after a long time away. The Beehive is beautiful, by far the best Open cluster IMO

The zoom you are using generally has good reviews, you are probably ruining it with the stock Celestron Barlow, I would continue using the zoom without the Barlow. The Barlow isn’t really needed anyway as you have all magnifications covered within the zoom . You don’t really want to Barlow the 7mm setting as that would probably be too much

Here you go https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aluminium-Flight-Silver-Camera-250x200x125mm/dp/B00BEHBIT0/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=small+flight+case&qid=1609960874&sprefix=small+fligh&sr=8-4

I like that, do you have a link to that particular case? Cancel above, found it

Yeh, the pull and push Baader cases can be awkward in the cold and dark, especially if you obsessively keep the thin foam loose protective cover in play, lining that up to put back in the case can be a nightmare 😫 The Astronomik flip cases are much better

My experience is that it is not the mount that causes the problem with the lawn, it’s the constant walking around it that churns up the lawn when it’s wet. As this thread has been resurrected, thought I’d provide an update...... I fitted 6 lawn protection mats about the time this thread began. They worked like a dream through the first winter and Summer. My big mistake was not taking them up in the summer. This failure has resulted in them becoming meshed with the lawn, so much so that when I tried taking one up recently, it ripped the lawn up with it so I have had to leave them down and they are no longer visible. They still provide some protection but not as much as the first season. My advice to anyone using lawn protection mats would be to take them up every Spring and allow the lawn to recover over the summer

Yes, I’ve looked at them but they are all a bit big I think

This thread started by @John really got me looking online (which I’m sure was his intention whilst he settled down to watch Emmerdale !! 😂) and there really isn’t much there for Astro filters, strange as it’s an obvious need.....definitely a gap in the market

No no thanks for your input 😀

I think this request is related to visual observers really

I have also created slots in my eyepiece case but have run out of room so I’m interested in any answers

Have you got the polar scope illumination turned up too high?? Sounds like you have it high which will turn the inside red and stop you seeing Polaris, you may be looking right at it and can’t see it. You can adjust brightness in the utilities menu of the handset, turn it down to a comfortable brightness

That’s a shame Derek , chin up though, I’m convinced we’ll be ok for Autumn

Totally agree!!

She's a keeper!!!

As Geoff said above The view through the polar scope will be blocked unless you move the dec axis to make the main scope horizontal (just in case you haven't realised that) The area around Polaris is quite sparse of visible stars, so if Polaris is just outside your fov, it is not surprising that you don't see any stars. It's just a case of trial and error sometimes, kneel down behind the RA axis and polar scope, get your knees dirty if you have to, and visually align the axis with Polaris without looking through the scope at first, eventually you will get it. I also find that the altitude scale isn't particularly accurate so be willing to change the altitude of the mount aswel. There are apps that assist. I use one called PS Align Pro which has a daytime PA routine. It is not exact but generally gets Polaris in my polar scope fov, ready for fine tuning at night. Don't give up, no-one ever said this hobby was easy!! 😀

Great report, looks like you might have got your wife hooked as well, always good to share experiences......and it might help loosen the purse strings when you need to 😀🤞