Jiggy 67

I have the larger version running an EQ6 R Pro and two dew straps. I can easily get 4 hours without the battery indicator lights showing any usage (all three still lit indicating a full battery). I suspect it would run all night, and more, with no dip in performance. Yes it’s expensive but I have found it (so far) to be outstanding. I have also used two of the SW lead batteries which do not compare to the Celestron lithium

......Oh and if you’re struggling physically with the polar scope, you might consider this https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/astro-essentials-right-angled-eyepiece-for-polar-scopes.html

I don’t think you can change the format of the date, Skywatcher are American and they use the American format. For polar alignment I use an an App called PS Align Pro. This has a daytime/can’t see Polaris routine using your phone. This routine will get Polaris within a few millimeters of where it should be in your polar scope and then, at night, it just requires a minor tweak, it is very easy. Just make sure your polar scope is callobrated, I have the same mount and it came factory calibrated so you should be ok. If it’s not, the same app has instructions on how to calibrate

I have used the HoTech SC Laser Collimator a couple of times now and I thought I had used it successfully. However I was recently browsing FLO and came across the product page for the collimator where I saw a note stating that prior to using the collimator a sight tube should be used to check/align the secondary mirror. I don’t quite understand this as the collimator clearly aligns both mirrors without any need for further equipment. I have done this and it is clearly stated in the HoTech video and the instructions which accompany the collimator. Am I missing something in the collimation process??

Welcome to SGL you have come to the right place but the question you are asking is massive, I would recommend Turn Left at Orion to get you started and as already stated, astronomy is an outdoor pursuit so prepare to get wrapped up!!

My wife got me a couple of desk items.... a moon globe lamp And the planets in different kinds of stone Quite pleased with both of them

The below appears to be an interesting idea, has anyone got any experience of these???....I’m assuming they reverse the image which might make things a bit confusing?? https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/astro-essentials-right-angled-eyepiece-for-polar-scopes.html

I don,t know about the 20mm, don,t forget a 2x Barlow will make that a 10mm which you already have on your list, maybe consider a lower power like a 30mm or similar, though I have no experience with your scope. I wouldn’t bother with the 3x Barlow either, the 2x is sufficient and there’s more useful things to spend your money on at this stage

Love to see his insurance premiums. 🤣

My mount and scope have under one continuously for about 3 months now with no particular problems (though I am worried about the torrential rain yesterday, I haven’t had chance to check on it yet). I just take it off occasionally and let everything air for a while. Air does circulate because it is open at the bottom. This issue is often discussed but like most things in this hobby it is a trade off. The mither involved in assembly and disassembly can be off putting for a lot of people, this negates that but has it’s own risks, I would crack on and keep an eye on things

Good video......I was wondering how you kept the 4 way etc dry until you mentioned as an afterthought at the end 🤣 You nearly forgot, love the dry box thing......Well done

Can be quite hard to explain in a post, maybe this will help

I also use PS Align Pro. It is an outstanding app, I really can't fault it. It is extremely accurate. For example, I centred the double star Gamma ari in a 4mm ep on Tuesday night, went inside and had a glass of wine. I came out an hour later and it was still centred!!...pretty amazing accuracy....I know the mount is pretty good but you need accurate PA to achieve them results I think

Very nice, can see why it’s called the Kite Cluster

Nicely done 👍

There are dew strips for finders copes and ep’s. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dew-prevention/astrozap-dew-heater-tapes.html or consider a hairdryer

Do you have the reticle with a little bubble to put Polaris in on the large circle (that one has Cassiopeia on it) or the one that is just basically a clock face with gradient markings around it?? The second one is the new one and I have that one, it doesn’t have Cassiopeia on it. If it’s the second one (or a variant with Cass on it,) my first post still applies, ignore Cassiopeia, it doesn’t matter. If it’s the first one, it needs calibrating and you will have to adjust it

Damn!! Are the optics ok??

I’m not sure there’s any need to bother. I don’t use the synscan app cos I’m on an I phone but if it’s just a graphic of the circle with the position of Polaris on the circle the when you polar align just reproduce that image in your polar scope, the numbers on the scope are irrelevant..... some may disagree but it might only become an issue when using the handset calculation to align. You could rotate in ra to put 6 at the top

Skylive has highlighted it for December 13th as "Comet PANSTARRS passes NGC 1528 For several nights commencing on Friday, December 13, the path of comet C/2017 T2 (PANSTARRS) is predicted to carry it close to the north of a pair of bright open star clusters designated NGC 1545 and NGC 1528, also collectively named the M & M Double Cluster. This area of sky will be high in the eastern evening sky near the bright star Capella. Although it won’t peak in visibility until early 2020, when viewed in a backyard telescope at medium power, the comet should be bright enough to be seen in December as a dim, greenish fuzzy patch next to the clusters’ stars." Should be in a good position to view

This discussion has got me a bit worried, my wife has got me the 40mm for Xmas, she's withholding it to Xmas Day though 😯

That’s a question and a half that cos the list is endless especially with a scope like yours which is capable of picking out a lot but the obvious wow factor are the Orion Nebula, Andromeda and M45, The Plaedis. Any double stars are good funtoo

That’s actually the one I’m looking at, £17 on Amazon. Is it any good. Ive also ordered some dew strips including an ep one but the other night I couldn’t even polar align because the polar scope had misted up!!! Would be a nice little feature if Sky-Watcher could fit a small heating element to the polar scope that you can switch on and off

No I don’t suppose it does matter as long as the view through your polar scope and the position of Polaris matches that of your app. To callobrate your polar scope place Polaris at the centre of your polar scope. Then using the altitude bolt only lower the mount until Polaris is on the outer ring at the top, then rotate in RA to put 12 o clock at that point. Your scope is now perfectly calibrated and you can go onto polar alignment. This method does depend on the mount being level

Does anyone use a rechargeable hairdryer or one with a cig lighter type plug. Recommendation please