Jiggy 67

31 minutes ago, johninderby said:

Have spotted this new version of the Concenter thst should be easier to look through.

https://www.apm-telescopes.de/en/mechanical-accessories/collimationstools/concenter-visus-precise-adjustment-glasses

 

That’s interesting, I take it that, as it’s only available in 2” I can just remove the 1.25” adapter, collimate and then replace the adapter??......quite expensive but a well collimated secondary is essential and I can’t be doing with a cap or a Cheshire 

I’m with John....just set up my scope after traveling back from Galloway along bumpy roads etc. Using the HoTech, it took 2 minutes to collimate.....excellent laser collimator.

 I also have the concentric collimator for the secondary but I struggle with it, always appears blurry to me so cannot be sure of accurate collimation 

You’ve made a wise decision, the EQ3 is not substantial enough for a 150 PDS and all the associated paraphernalia even without adding photo gear. I don’t do Astro photography but I believe the the SW 130 is an excellent choice. Even so, my next upgrade of any item would be the mount, it’s more important than the scope and it’s always a good idea to future proof because if you get hooked, you WILL want to increase the size/weight of the scope and accessories 

On 20/09/2020 at 18:05, Kyle Allen said:

Don’t some planetary observers look at a bright light for a short time to ruin their dark adaption and also stimulate their cone cells, which see fine detail? I tried it on Jupiter once and it did seem to help with the glare but Mars might be different. Obviously not ideal if you also plan to observe faint DSOs in the same session but worth a try! 🙂

Perversely, that does kinda make sense! 👍

2 minutes ago, merlin100 said:

Right numbers, wrong order. 🤣

I would have blamed predictive text 🤣

8 hours ago, merlin100 said:

(M101?)

M110.  👍

This is an interesting read

https://www.mylawyer.co.uk/lighting-a-A76076D76858/

And hints at the possibility that planning consent may be required as well as the fact that lights should only go as far as they need to for a particular purpose. You may have a case if you go to the council/solicitor 

Booked!! 🎉🎉🎉

Back home now after a very enjoyable few days. The campsite is outstanding as are the horizons and views. Two good nights observing but it clouded over last night but “2 out of 3 ain’t bad”. Thanks to Derek for organizing the event and to everyone else for making Lisa and I feel so welcome, Lisa loved every minute of it!!

Yeah, it was the same last night, cloudy till about 10 and then it cleared. 
Ian’s Irish Stew went down well but as he promised last week he didn’t offer me any but I hear it was very nice......apparently.......or so I’m told.... 😀😀.......I wouldn’t know 😢😢😂😂

Oh, I remember the wellies that was hell on earth!!.....we’re actually in a proper motor home with central heating, kitchen and a shower.....I’m actually considering a purchase when I retire 

Just packing the motor home now for departure first thing in the morning. Glad I’m not an imager, no chance I’d have the room!!!....not with the wife’s mobile boutique!!

The trouble with these forecasts is that they change daily, sometimes hourly. Let’s hope the above improves

15 minutes ago, Uplooker said:

Well, I have to say I was glad to hear Boris “the animal” didn’t make any announcements that preclude me from travelling out of my area, so I can definitely make it up on Wednesday afternoon 👍👍👍.

Looking forward you seeing new and old attendees.

Darren, I think it was PSP 2011 that we last met???

It was and I remember it well, that one and the year before. Like you, I can just swerve the restrictions.....but barely, we can still get there Wednesday legally and that’s all that matters....looking forward to seeing you again Ian and meeting new friends 

2 hours ago, mapstar said:

Having to borrow Mike's sky safari as for the first time ever I've forgot my star chart!!! 

I can bring my Sky Atlas 2000 with me on Wednesday if that helps

1 minute ago, dd999 said:

M31 is relatively easy as the 'smudge' is very apparent in the FOV - but others, not so much.

Galaxies are my nemesis in my light polluted skies!! I find them to be the most difficult of dso’s 

32 minutes ago, Demon Barber said:

Hello All, well last night was superb,very clear for most of the night , giving excellent views it was improved at about 4.30 when the wind calmed,rounded off with a lovely sunrise.

Curently sunny light breeze,site dryingy fast.

Regards

Mike

Looks promising 🤞🤞

11 hours ago, Uplooker said:

only the select few😬

Ahh, only those you don’t like, I get it, I’m with ye 😂

30 minutes ago, Adrian Condon said:

Secondly, Ian doing Irish Stew and I won't be able to beg for some...... makes me feel sick in the stomach.

Are you saying Ian’s Irish Stew makes you feel sick??  😂😂 Sorry Ian, I’ll give it a miss.......

I have used LiveSky for that, but I like to create my own......it’s all part of the hobby I haven’t quite retired just yet but what else is there to do except watch Coronation Street (if you’re in the UK you’ll know what I mean). Give it a go, you’ll enjoy creating and updating your own record of your own experiences, quite addictive 👍

9 minutes ago, globular said:

and I'm not sure I'd have the patience to transpose hand written notes into it the morning after like you do.

😀😀 I go even further, once I’ve spent an hour or two updating my obs, I then copy and paste everything on to a couple of spreadsheets I’ve got ongoing!!.......Don’t ask me why 😂

Absolutely, but overall I love using it. I create a plan for the night using a temporary observing list, allowing you to highlight the objects and organize them by set/rise times and then in the morning I create a session and then create observations from my handwritten notes made at the scope......works seamlessly for me.....except I wish I could tick objects off more than just one list!!.....annoying!!

Hi Globular, I read that post. I don’t have that particular problem, I create my obs the following day, not whilst observing.  What I do find is that I have to input the finish time of an observation before the start time, if I do the start time first it changes when I do the finish time.... I agree it is a bit glitchy

1 hour ago, Barry-W-Fenner said:

I really don't know which one to go for next the 4.5mm or the 17.5mm 🤔

The 17.5 all day long, it’s a lovely eyepiece 

8 minutes ago, Barry-W-Fenner said:

Hi Jiggy,

I haven't got a contrast booster. I have read mixed opinions of it on here with it adding a yellow tint to the view? However it does sound like it improved your views of Mars!

I still haven't managed to see Neptune yet! Its the final planet to observe for me then I have complete the set! I am hoping to view it on one of my next viewing sessions now it's getting dark again.

How are you finding the Morpheus set? Have you had much time with the 4.5 & 17.5mm?

How does the 12.5 compare with the 14? I have the 14 am am not sure if I should aquire the 12.5 also as they are very close in power.

I haven’t found any yellow tinge with the contras booster, not that I’ve noticed, I have found it to improve all the planets, not just Mars which is what it’s best known for.

 I love the Morpheus range, I’ve got them all now and really can’t see any reason to spend more money on more expensive ep’s. I find the 17.5 and 14 to provide excellent wide field and immersive views with excellent contrast and pin sharp stars, great for open clusters, all being well with collimation. You’re right, the 12.5 is probably the least useful for the reason you’ve stated, I admit, I could do without it....but I just couldn’t leave one out of the set 😂 The 4.5 is good for planets and planetary nebula as you still have the wide fov but I do use a Vixen SLV 4mm to get right into the planets 

Overall, I’m very impressed with the Morpheus, they are a mid price ep that perform as well as their more expensive contemporaries although I am far from being an expert...... I wouldn’t want to comment on exit pupil etc 🤥 

Neptune is a lovely planet and is pretty well placed at the moment so go for it