Grump Martian

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

22 hours ago, Astronomist said:

How well do you cope with that massive eyecup? I have the new version with a more normal sized non-adjustable eyecup, which is still quite large.

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.

On 13/08/2024 at 00:55, Pixies said:

I have the 28mm - it's a great eyepiece. You do have to turn your head to use it, though! 

Slightly. But not a noticeable problem.

On 27/08/2024 at 22:52, hal9550 said:

Just wondering what you think of the 28? How does it perform? it would be for a fast F10 SCT 

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.

1 minute ago, globular said:

I’m liking your chunky workbench and bench grinder. Is not a Scheppach BG200 is it?

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

Below is a link to s BBC strory about this weekends meteors.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2024/08/07/nasa-urges-public-to-leave-the-city-for-the-perseid-meteor-shower-this-weekend/

Well I settled for Pentax Papilio 6.5 x 21. I love that they are really comfortable to use with the lower 6.5 x magnification.

FLO were great helping me with my choice. I did decide on a monocular. I tried the Opticron 32 mm & 42 mm. But they did not suit me. So I am grateful to FLO & all of your advice.

They are really quirky. I like that.

I have a set of Helios 8 x 16 compact binoculars. They are very convenient when out and about or on holidays. They fit easily in pocket. Using them watching ships and wildlife while visiting Brownsea Island last Summer. But I would like to upgrade to a set that would improve on the brightness of the view. Thinking of 8 x 20 or 8 x 25.

I'm hoping that while these have a larger object glass over the 8 x 16's, they would still be small and convenient. Pocket size is the term that I'm looking for.

Does anyone own a set of compact binoculars  any recommendations?

Thanks

I would dearly love to buy a photographic tripod to use with my 80 mm ED weighing approx 3 to 3.5 kgs loaded. But is there such a thing which has an acceptable amount of vibration? To be honest most tripod/mounts in this class would. But it's a trade off between good for travelling and carrying weight. My current travel tripod/mount is a skywatcher EQ5 type with smaller 1.5 inch legs and an AZ4 mount. This is still quite heavy. I would look at buying a smaller alt/az mount to use with a tripod.

A interesting youtube video about Alexi Leonov.

Hi Ags. What instrument did you use?

I do like the picture.

I am beginning to feel that major problems with civilisation,wars etc may prevent this generation from continuing space exploration. If we survive, more advance technology will make it easier and safer to expand into the solar system sometime further into the future.

I have enjoyed using binoculars for astronomy and terrestial viewing for many years. Several years ago I picked up a set of 8 x 40 Opticrom HR binos. When I put them to my eye the view offered was amazingly clear, bright and sharp. A few weeks back I was in an antique shop. I looked throught a set of 8 x 30 Carl Zeiss Jena binos. Again the view was great , brighter than the Opticron set. The price was good. But I came away without them as there were several spots of mold and fungus. Oh I wish that I had bought them. I have the tools to remove the optics to clean.

It's one of life's pleasures looking through a high quality set of binoculars.

It has got me thinking about upgrading from my Bushnell 7 x 50 binos to a quality set that will give me that clear  bright and sharp view. So any binocular connoisseurs out there. I would be grateful if you were to offer  advice, opinions and recommendations. It would be most appreciated.

2 hours ago, ScouseSpaceCadet said:

 

Volcanism is something we just have to live with.  Sending a few people to an irradiated rock won't make a difference.

 

Vulcanism! I just can't get the hand greeting right.

I remember the Apollo era Moon landings. I would love to see it happen again. I often wonder why it has not happened sooner.

I watch with interest the Artemis programme and the proposed Space X landing system. Also the Lunar Gateway project. Am I the only person felling sceptical about the whole project becoming reality? I have attached a  video about this. I don't know if what is being said is true. But it resonates with my increasing scepticism. I hope that I am proved wrong and the projects all come together very quickly and we see a sustainable Lunar landing programme come to fruition.

I have just ordered a copy Magnus. Thanks for the tip.

Here's a link to an interesting pod cast about stargazing.

I would imaging that we all have a collection of astronomy books about imaging,scientific data about planets and the rest. But are there books podcasts or videos purely devoted to people who just love stargazing and their experiences. I look on youtube and I cannot find stargazing stories. Neither books.

I hope that I am not a fading breed in just enjoying looking through telescopes. Please tell me that there are more of you out there.