melsmore

2 hours ago, Franklin said:

That's a worry with big refractors but the SXG 1/2 pillar works a treat and doesn't compromise stability either. 

Yeah, I think I may have to get one of those. Telescope house have them available. Do you think this one will be tall enough? 

6 hours ago, Franklin said:

Your GPD2 should carry the SD115 well, my SD115 is useable on the smaller GP2 but much better on the SXD2.

It does, very well. It just about handles the APM140 (10kg) ok too. I was more worried about not getting the synscan set up properly and crashing it into the tripod 😱

Upgraded my GPD2 with Skywatcher GOTO. Works well, but the housing cover doesn't fit very well. Thank goodness for American Tape.

Here is first run for it - to see if I RT*M properly. I didn't want to risk my SD115D nor APM140, so the TS80APO it was.

1 hour ago, Greymouser said:

Everyone seems to quote La Palma as some sort of mecca for astronomy, which is understandable in so many ways, but there is better: St Helena.

Just 15 and a half degrees south of the equator, yet cooler than UK summers in summer and warmer the rest of the year. Pretty much non existent light pollution, virtually crime free, with very friendly people. Great wildlife; fishing; geology; history and they speak English! Allegedly much like 1950s Britain. What's not to like? Only downside, is they love Country and Western music, for some reason!

Admittedly, harder to get to and more expensive than La Palma, but none the less.  You can fly all the way now too, via South Africa. I want to visit, but doubt I will get the chance, but if I did, I doubt I would want to leave. 

http://sainthelenaisland.info/visitors.htm

http://sainthelenaisland.info/astronomy.htm

 

Good points. And I've yet to see the SCP. 

La Palma for some winter sun. New moon in Jan or Feb best.

Not really night, but as close as it gets at 53⁰N at this time of year. First light for my new APM140, which I collected today from The Widescreen Centre. A low Venus and the Moon, briefly before they dropped below the treeline, then Polaris and Mizar. My GPD2 mount managed the weight (around 10kg) just fine for visual. Too soon to have a considered opinion, but very pleased with it so far.

Brilliant sketch.

Brilliant, well done!

What @Merlin66 said and look at the  Double Star Imaging group

I like my Vixen SD115S a lot, but it is F7.7 (f890) and over £2K new. It's not particularly light at 6.5kg either. But it's a doublet and a darn fine one. 

P.S. no, it's not for sale

Thanks for the encouragement @globular, @andrew s and @dweller25. Yes, I think the white patch at the bottom and left sides were cloud. I looked for a photo or competent sketch here and on ALPO for the same time to check with, but couldn't find one.

First the disclaimer. This is my first attempt to sketch Mars, or indeed any planet. Also, it started to rain and I had to abandon it with some urgency (hence no orientation marker). I used a HB pencil and a blending stump. But I think I can see a couple of features that match Ade Ashford's app.

The Wratten 21 filter improved the view enormously (although you may find that hard to believe looking at the picture) helping show the surface detail and improving the seeing. I tried it the day before in my 80mm refractor, but that just made the image too dim, but on the 115mm it was very good, so I recommend it to anyone with 115mm or larger.

I tried sketching the moon (Plato) several years ago, but SWMBO pronounced it (I'll paraphrase her here) more Feline Anatomical than Selenographical. While this one may look more like a two year's old attempt at drawing a rabbit, at least no one can confuse it with the rear end of the cat. So regardless of the criticism I receive here, I'll give it another go tonight (weather permitting). 🧐

Here is my newt, being diligently guarded by the head of security before he retired (to the sofa). It'll be 20 years old on 25/12/2020! Last seen by me in 2016 😭. We plan on going to the Moto Guzzi 100 year celebrations next September (subject to Covid-19 and/or the Grim Reaper), so may travel on down to rescue it after that.

Farpoint Desiccant cap for my SD115S and #21 orange filter to try on Mars.

Not far from me then, bit East of you on hols near Craster , fantastic skies here too... (Not tonight though).

There's a Test Report by Alan Dyer of it in September 2020 Sky and Telescope too.  (Page 68).

8 minutes ago, John said:

So I might as well post a photo or two of the current setup

And why not? It's always a joy to look at that combination.

New sleeping bag for SD115S. The dog seems to have retired from security duties, hence the alternative.

Excellent first light. Well done.

That's not an "unboxing", it's just a box. You're taunting us. ☹️

55 minutes ago, teoria_del_big_bang said:

Definitely best I have seen - really well done

Yes, from me too. A terrific advertisement for TS and iOptron!

New (to me) Vixen SD115S set up for first light. Birthday pressey from SWMBO.

1 minute ago, DaveS said:

Was disappointed. Just a rehash of old programs, Sky at Night and Horizon with no new news.

Sorry, Pete L wasn't featured.

Felt it was a waste of an hour.

I agree absolutely. 

Very sorry, I just checked the current models of C8 and C925 on FLO's website and it is certainly no longer the case concerning the secondary mirror sizes.

C925:

Secondary Mirror Obstruction: 3.35 in (85.09 mm)
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Area: 13.1 %
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Diameter: 36.2 %
Optical Tube Length: 22 in (558.8 mm)
Optical Tube Weight: 20 lb (9.07 kg)

C8:

Secondary Mirror Obstruction  : 2.5 in (63.5 mm)
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Area  : 9.8 %
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Diameter  : 31.3 %
Optical Tube Length  : 17 in (431.8 mm)
Optical Tube Weight  : 12.5 lb (5.67 kg)

Sorry, next time I'll check before I post.

My MAK127 is kept indoors (no cool room) and It takes 30 minutes or so to cool down - almost exactly what @vlaiv extrapolated from his!  I plonk it outside first and by the time I've polar aligned my mount and faffed around it's just about good to go. Wooden sheds (in direct sunlight) can soak up a lot of heat and cool down slower than a MAK 🙂 The only (very minor for double star observing) drawback I have concerning my MAK127 is that I can't use 2" eyepieces with it .  Also, mine came with a RDF,  and as I don't have GOTO, I'd have preferred a finder scope.

@Stu recommended the C925. I've never used one, but I have had this SCT recommended to me for this by others too.  Apparently, it is good because theirs  have the same secondary mirror as in my C8 giving a much smaller % obstruction - more MAK like in fact . 

When you say "do double stars" do you mean "looking at them and seeing if you can split them", or do you mean "measuring their position angle and separation too"? If it is the latter, then there are other considerations and I would recommend you read Argyle's book before deciding exactly what you want.  I should say that I have the first not second edition, but I expect the second to be better.