Jiggy 67

Order’s in…….Prepare that voucher!!

Is the bag waterproof??

I have no idea what you’re referring to Ian 🤣🤣

It is true that the long established argument between zooms and fixed focal length eyepieces is one of personal choice. My personal choice is both . I like using the zoom on double stars and planets where field of view is not such an issue. When attempting to find the correct mag for splitting a double, swapping ep’s can be a right pain. So a zoom is perfect On the other hand, a lof DSO’s require a wider fov which is where fixed come into their own…..so my view is that, eventually, over time, it’s best to have a good zoom (and the BHZ is excellent) and a full set of quality fixed focal length ep’s as well as a quality Barlow

I have to disagree with respect. If you look at the device the OP is talking about, it’s a disaster waiting to happen. I don’t know what laser you use but this one is dangerous. You can imagine the scenario where an observer is concentrating on finding a target with a laser piercing the sky and then forgets whilst he walks away to change an eyepiece or something. You don’t always hear aircraft at high altitude nor is it in your mind whilst you are deciding what ep to select away from the scope. I can be looking through a scope when a plane will cross my field of view without any warning, it’s happened on a number of occasions. There is a reason why reputable retailers don’t appear to sell these things. Having said that, there is a place for laser pointers where they are hand held by a responsible person who can redirect it or turn it off at a moment’s notice. Further to that, I’d love to see how these products would go down at a star party with people imaging

It was in November issue

Maybe, but what price do you put on warm feet when cold feet make your observation sessions a misery. I have used a number of different boots over the years, none of them work as well as these socks. Boots are meant for walking (sorry) and for keeping in the heat generated by that walking, not really for standing still for hours on end on a cold surface. The cold will eventually penetrate regardless of the boots

Heated socks are the way forward. I use them and they keep your feet really warm, no matter your footwear https://www.amazon.co.uk/Electric-Heating-Rechargeable-Settings-Thermosock/dp/B09DFB5WWJ/ref=asc_df_B09DFB5WWJ/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=534926251915&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1028449378885728465&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046501&hvtargid=pla-1458456626115&psc=1

I don’t really get why you would need a laser. I understand their use at outreach events, showing people around the sky. That can be safe because the user is concentrating totally on where it is being pointed and can be moved instantly and safely. On a scope that is not the case and could easily be pointed at a plane without the user realising. Also, they serve no purpose, a RACI will get you in the area just as efficiently

Mine looks exactly the same with a new green dovetail…..it will be fine

That sounds like an outstanding evening!!

That’s a bit of an eye opener demonstrating just how many are out there

An excellent idea John, below are my notes on the Owl sometime ago Very faint, very small Planetary Nebula with a possible hint of blue. Used the Baader 8mm (x 125 mag), initially with the O111 filter but found this filter to obscure and darken the image too much so switched to the UHC filter which was much better and created a decent image, especially with averted vision. Also made an attempt with the Vixen 6mm (x 166 mag) plus UHC filter but very difficult with high mag and sky quality. Note: High wispy cloud crossing at times affecting view

Thanks Nik, I’ve added this to my next observing list

Yeh, I’m wondering if that is what I thought was the split or a similar nearby star, I’m gonna have to revisit it. I would normally have put this in the double star forum, don’t know why I didn’t on this occasion 😀

Not a marvel…..a rarity

Sunday 21st November was a clear and relatively still night. It's starting to get cold now which really helps with the seeing but there was still a few tremors at higher magnifications. The Moon was scheduled to rise above the houses at about 9pm, but it was lighting up the eastern sky long before that so double stars were the project. I actually love the excuse of the moon because I love double stars so I decided on the SW 100ED with a plan to pack up early for work the following morning. Before I started on the doubles I took a look at Jupiter which looked really nice with the 6.5mm Morph (x135 mag) with 4 moons in a row to the right. Can see banding when the image is still but not when the image quivers with the seeing. 4.5mm (x200 mag) with contrast booster made the bands stand out more. A very prominent dark band north of the centre but 4/5 others fainter bands could be seen when the image steadied. Onto the doubles: 30 Arietis. 6th magnitude in Aries. Easily split double star with the 20mm zoom (x45 mag). Two evenly matched white stars 1 Ari. 6th magnitude in Aries. Strange one this, because it appears to have a very wide separation ……if I’ve got the right star, everything fits on SkySafari except the separation, it may be that I have to revisit this one and split the primary (as I currently see it) though the primary does not appear to be a double which means my current experience would be correct. Two faint stars, the brighter one being white with a fainter blue companion at 1 o’clock. 8mm zoom (x112 mag) 6 Trianguli (Iota Trianguli). 5th magnitude in Triangulum. Beautiful double star, a real gem. A close pair split with the 8mm zoom (x112 mag) Vixen 4mm (x225 mag) shows a lovely pair of colourful stars. Primary is a yellow/white star with a pale blue 1/3 size companion at 4 o’clock. Lovely double star with quite a close split. Pi Andromedae. 4th magnitude star in Andromeda. Another lovely double star easily split with the 8mm zoom (x112 mag) Bright white primary with a pale blue, dim, 1/5 size companion at 7 o’clock. Reasonably wide split at this magnification. Shedar (Alpha Cassiopeiae). Magnitude 2 in Cassiopeiae. Bright white star with a 1/10 size pale blue and faint companion at 11 o’clock. Quite a wide separation. Lovely colour contrast between the two with the 8mm zoom (x112 mag) Omicron 1 Cygni in Cygnus. This is an interesting one!! A double/multiple system which is confusing as a result of the number of stars in the field of view and the fact that none of them are actually related!! Through the zoom, at all focal lengths they produce a wonderful sight, almost an open cluster in their own right. 31 Omicron Cygni - A lovely bright orange star with a wide split to a 1/4 size pale blue star at 3 o’clock. 30 Omicron Cygni - A large, bright blue star at 8 o’clock to 31 Cyg. 32 Omicron Cygni - A bright star some distance from the other two. A lovely set of stars but I may have the designations the wrong way round. I really do recommend a look at the Omicron group for those that haven't yet observed it, it's well worth spending some time with. Overall a very satisfying evenings observing, unfortunately cut short by the moon and work the next day.

Forgot to mention…..The Omicron group in Cygnus…..Beautiful!!

I’ve had a great 3 hours under a clear and reasonably steady sky. The moon was out so I used the 100ED and doubles were the target. 6 Trianguli and Pi Andromedae were the highlights but Jupiter looked really nice, especially with the Baader contrast booster where more bands on the planet revealed themselves. Unfortunately the planet sinks behind some trees for me as the shadow transit of Io begins. I did bag quite a few doubles for the first time but I have to pack up for work tomorrow 😢 hopefully I’ll get a full report in tomorrow

Beautiful, can see where Jones 1 gets it’s nickname

Yes the Baader neodymium is the moon and sky glow filter and yes, just search for Baader contrast booster. I really like this filter on Saturn and Jupiter as it makes the band’s really stand out, a lovely filter. I use my UHC (Astronomik) more than the OIII (also Astronomik) just because the OIII has a narrower pass band which means it can really substantially dim what is already, probably, a dim object. The UHC isn’t as narrow so doesn’t cause as much as a problem. An 8 inch reflector is just about ok with the OIII, it has the aperture to deal with it but I don’t think I would use an OIII with a smaller aperture, I’ve tried it on my 4 inch refractor without much luck

They are well worth looking at and definitely not a gimmick, I use them regularly. I don’t know what scope you use but I would recommend the following: OIII and UHC for nebulae, especially planetary. Both can work, but sometimes the UHC works where the OIII doesn’t dependent on your aperture as an OIII can dim the image Baader Contrast Booster- Great on planets Baader Moon and Skyglow-good all round LP filter Woudn’t be without any of the above

I use these heated socks, expensive but very good, even have to turn them down after an hour or so https://www.amazon.co.uk/XBUTY-Rechargeable-4800mAh-Battery-Thermal/dp/B08H1M3L5H/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=heated+socks&qid=1637251529&sr=8-3 Put them together with walking boots and you’re good to go

I held out for months for an ES 24mm 68 degree but they were unavailable everywhere. I ended up getting the TV 24 Panoptic and I love it, it’s great quality but everything I’ve read rates the ES just as good at half the price. My only issue with it is that I have a low profile MoonLite focuser so I have to pull the ep out a touch to get focus, not a big enough problem to warrant an extension tube and it has no effect on performance. Enjoy the TV, you’ll get loads of use out of it

No, I did last year, about 3 grand (they just hold it on your credit card but don’t take it) but, bizarrely, not this year