Grump Martian

I've ordered one Steve. Thanks for the tip.

Having had one of these wonderful small refractors and sold it. I have just aquired another one. Are there any other users who can advise on available two inch visual backs that would suit this telescope. I would like to use a 2" star Diagonal and 2" eyepieces.

You won't be dissappointed with your choice.

I am looking to upgrade from my 7 x 50 1980's binoculars. Can anyone recommend a good monocular for widefield observing. I was trying to locate the recent comet with my 7 x 50 binoculare. But they hardly reach focus or give a resolved star image these days. Perhaps out of collimation. They are 7° field of view and gave splendid widefield views in their day.

I have been wondering about the possibility of using a quality 50 mm guidescope as a hand held widefield monocular style observing instrument. Curious to know if the Skywatcher Evoguide 50 mm with S-FPL 53 ED glass element might work for this purpose. Interested to know if anyone is using one as an observing instrument?

I was impressed that last weeks mission was said to be a sucess with the capture of the booster section. But I found it differcult to find out what happened to Starship. Reports say that it exploded and sunk. How is it a sucess? What is it that is trying to be achieved? It seems to be quite a dangerous vehicle. I wonder what the future timeline is?

My higher power eyepieces are Explore Scientific 82°,4.7 mm, 6.7 mm & 8.8 mm. Used with a Celestron C6 and 102 mm Starfield refractor. I have been quite happy with them. But your post has encouraged me to perhaps look to trying out other eyepieces to look for an improvement.

Ah go on. Ha

I wish you well Chaz. God bless you.

Hi Ed. I enjoyed owning a C5,but the C6 seems to give much brighter views for only one inch extra apature. I was tempted with the C8. But as you say, the scope you use is bedt. The C6 is so manageable.

How did the Starship rocket fare? Wonder when the first crewed flight will be?

I have been looking for a 28mm Nirvana eyepiece for many years. A few months ago I bought one. What a lovely eyepiece this is. But it is by far the largest and heaviest eyepiece that I have owned.

Hi Cyril. Are there any pictures in your book? Would love to see them.

Apologies. I have seen a similar post . This is specific to a particular refractor. But if mods feel that it infringes.

I have a Startravel 120mm F5 refractor. This has given me some wonderful widefield views. But it is nowhere near an all round performer. OK I know that there is really no such thing as an all round telescope. The views of the double cluster and some nebulas have been great. But it does give chromatic aberration on some objects. Bright planets for example. The colours of Alberieo the double star are not correct. So the view is not as striking. But I am starting to think about the possible advantages of a 150 mm F5 Newtonian reflector telescope. Especially one with a 1/10 th wave figured primary mirror. An extra 30mm of apature, better quality optics, still the same focal length F5 as the Startravel. So nice wide field,low power views. But with no chromatic aberration. The view of the bright planets and double stars would be improved. Brighter aswell with the extra apature. But hang on, there is the central obstruction of the secondary mirror holder. Some people would be put off the Newtonian because of the collimation of mirrors. But a six inch Newtonian would be easy to collimate and would'nt deviate too much. Which of these telescopes would give the better views I wonder? Should I change from the Startravel to the Newtonian?

Thanks Robert. I will look for a copy. It could well be a help.

I have recently paired my Celestron C6 with a 6/8 Nexstar SE goto mount. It has been game changing being able to locate and track deep sky objects. In a ratio of 5 to 1 compared to star hoping. The list of objects on the handset computer is pleasing. Messier, Caldwell, asterism's and double star lists. To be able to see the majority of the deep sky objects listed on the mount handset you would probably need a C9.25 or larger apature. But that becomes problematic weight wise over the easy to use C6. In good seeing conditions in a dark site I have seen great views of the Andromeda galaxy, M 81 & M82 The Dumbell nebula Hercules Cluster. Some objects listed are too faint for the C6. So I am now starting to compile a list of deep sky objectd that can be seen through the C6. It may take a while. But I will post it when I completed.

Believe it or not,I would consider my Celestron C6 Nexstar SE grab and go. I have taken it with me in the car on holiday and weekends away.It can be moved by hand easily. The mount would take my Equinox 80 mm ED. The C6 has good apature

You get used to where to position your eye. I had a 30 mm Moonfish eyepiece once. It would always make the side of my nose sore no matter how I positioned my eye. This does'nt happen with the 28 mm Nirvana.

Slightly. But not a noticeable problem.

It's not so good with my Celestron C6. Great on my F 7 & F6 refractors. And really good on a 12 inch reflector.

Possible daylight meteor sighting from Cheshunt in Hertfordshire at 8.14 p.m. Heading North West at approx 45° high. My wife and I were eating alfesco in the garden and looking at aircraft approaching Stanstead airport . This objec brightened, moved & faded.

Hi Ags. The grinder is a counter balance for the heavy 28 mm Nirvana.

Correct. Plenty of horsepower. No grinding to a halt with tough metal.

I have been after a 28 mm Nirvana eyepiece for nearly ten years. I have the adorable 16 mm old style with the adjustable eye cup. Old fruit has sold me his 28 mm Nirvana. So the little sister 16mm has now been aquainted with it's older brother 28 mm. Delightful