fullmoon

As long as they're not double glazed, should be fine 😉

Amazing photo!

So, I think you've all answered my question haha. And tbh I probably knew that was coming. Think I'll reposition my scope to the kitchen so it's easier to get out of the patio doors and out into the garden. Thanks all.

Hi all, so as the title states. Can you observe through glass? Or can you without it effecting what you see through your scope too much? So my scope is set up in my bay window which is pretty much west. And it's been generally a good position for moon, Jupiter, Mars, Venus and orion lately. Well not the last 4 weeks due to cloud. But generally I get quite a good range from South to West through my lounge window. And it saves me lugging my setup outside. Probably won't mind so much in the summer, but when I look out and it's 10.30pm and I get a brief chance of clear sky, I quickly set up my scope and view what I can. So will viewing through the glass really impact what I'm seeing through my scope too much, or is it not that big of a deal? Cheers Rich

Amazing photos, love these! Especially the cat haha

Very grateful for this in depth review, thank you.

It's just showing as a bright star, but this could be the collimation of my scope and also viewing conditions. I've attached a quick snap I took after a viewing session the other night. This is what my thinking is. I think grab the 10mm then a decent Barlow down the line. I was somewhat reluctant to get a Barlow, but maybe I will have to try for myself and see what I prefer. That's some dedication to be out at 02.30am, very interesting read, thanks. So, it looks like the 10mm BSO is the standout recommendation. Thank you all for taking the time to reply, appreciate it.

Hi, I'm currently using the 8mm BST and the standard SW 10mm and 25mm that came with the scope. Collimation was mentioned to me in my previous post, along with possible viewing conditions. So that does need to be addressed by me. Probably should have done that before posting this actually and then test again. I never even thought about the 10mm if I'm completely honest. I had in mind the 6mm. But now you've got me questioning that. I don't necessarily want a view as close as I can possibly get. It's more about clarity and sharpness of the view.

So after some great advice in the beginner section, and PM's with Ed. I did a bit of research on some EP's and have narrowed it down to 4. Hopefully you guys with experience can help me to decide which 1 to go for. So my main objective is to be able to view planets. Now my expectations are managed, so I know I'm not going to get a massive detailed close up of Jupiter but I would like to see maybe a touch of colour or detail which I have yet to accomplish. Anyway here are my choices within what I'm prepared to spend. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/stellalyra-eyepieces/stellalyra-5mm-125-ler-eyepiece.html https://www.firstlightoptics.com/baader-planetarium/baader-classic-ortho-bco-eyepiece.html https://www.firstlightoptics.com/bst-starguider-eyepieces/bst-starguider-60-5mm-ed-eyepiece.html https://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-eyepieces/skywatcher-uwa-planetary-eyepieces.html 1. Stellalyra 5mm 2. Baader Ortho 6mm 3. BST Starguider 5mm 4. Skywatcher UWA 5/6mm I already own the BST starguider 8mm. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks Rich

Thanks everyone for all your replies, you've all been really helpful. Will take a look at that collimation guide, thanks Stephan👍.

I think you're probably right, there was a thin slither of low cloud, virtually transparent but cloud nonetheless. And also I don't know if its collimated correctly. (Another 1 for me to research ha)

Thanks for the recommendation, I will definitely look those up. Thanks Stephan, unfortunately mine doesn't have the parabolic mirror. But you have all given me hope, that I will see better detail. I'm torn between a zoom eyepiece or maybe a 6mm as mentioned by Neil. And I definitely think you're right about the standard Barlow! Thanks for the examples Stu, I will be over the moon if I can get close to them views. And yeah, what the pictures show is exactly what I'm seeing. Should I try a filter maybe? Also how often do I collimate? The scope is only a few weeks old. Although it has bounced off a few door frames transporting to and from outside to the lounge window.

That's been mentioned to me before actually and is a really good point. Cheers Thanks for that resource link, it was super helpful. Think I may opt for a zoom lens..... for now. Just so many to choose from. All of my viewing so far has either been from my back garden or lounge window. And to add we are pretty low down, Venus is out of view by 7pm. Would love to get it to a dark site.

Thank you so much. That's really helpful. 1, to manage my expectations and 2 to give me targets to focus on. With that in mind, you said my scope would be more suited to bright DSO's. Is there an eyepiece that I would benefit from? Or do you think the wide 25mm that came with the scope would be sufficient? I also would like to emit the Barlow lense. So not sure if that would effect my choice. Thanks again Rich

I've had a quick look back through my posts and can't see that I've asked this. So as the title says really. Is there an EP recommended for viewing planets that might help me see some detail? I'm Specifically drawn to Jupiter right now. And when I look at it through my scope, I am amazed and love it. But I do crave a bit of detail or more focus. So I was hoping that someone could advise me on which EP would be best suited. And also, can I change the focuser on this scope? I've had a play around with my current eyepieces. I've got the standard 10mm and 25mm that came with the scope and I've also purchased an 8mm starguider. I did a bit of observing tonight and at the end of it I snapped a few shots with just my phone held up to the EP, just to show you what results I'm currently getting(of Jupiter). Personally, I actually prefer the 10mm view. But I would love to see some shading of the planets. Is that even possible with my scope? Look forward to your input. Oh, 1 last thing. Is my scope good enough to be able to see the galaxies or is that a bit beyond it? Cheers Rich

I tried to find it, but wasn't 100% sure how. Also Venus has just dropped behind the houses above me now and have a bit of cloud cover. Hope others were more successful.

Amazing detail in these pics! Awesome!

Wow, thanks. That post was very informative and the OP must have dedicated some serious time to that research! I think the general message I'm getting is to use a few. I'm still using clear outside alongside the met office and of course I keep looking outside lol.

Thanks dweller. Not sure what you mean "the phase and white polar cap" as I just see blur, but I'm gonna look that up now. Thanks it's just reassuring to know everything's as it should be really. I tried to be so careful focusing but it's impossible I suppose at that magnification. Kinda learning as I go. Thanks again. Rich

Basically, as the title says. Is this what I should expect to see through my SW explorer 130/f900. I thought it was actually amazing, and to top it off whilst I was looking at Mars, a comet flew through my eyepiece! Awesome! I was out there freezing for nearly an hour before the cloud cover got too bad. It was a bit hazey with cloud but not too bad. First time I've managed to follow a planet successfully. Its not just the view I wanted your thoughts on, also the motion of Mars when I tried to adjust the focus at the end of the video, I was being really delicate. Also anything you think I can do to improve my view or technique. So the first part of the video is at 2x zoom on my phone, (galaxy s10) then it goes to 1x zoom (which I preferred) and then back to 2x and that's when I tried to focus. I suppose what I'm asking is, is everything OK and all as it should be. As I've never looked through another scope.... ever. So I have nothing to compare it to. I just did the video quick so I could capture what I had been looking at. Also I was using an 8mm BST starguider with the standard 2x Barlow that came with the scope. Thanks Rich 20230208_183931.mp4

Here's 1 from the other night. Played around a bit with contrast and brightness in the phones generic photo thingy. Bought an 8 quid mount off amazon out of curiosity really. Not too bad for an old phone.

Great pics. Last pic is my fave, 👌

Looks like there might be some clear sky's later on! I'll probably fall asleep though 😂.

Hi all, just downloaded the clear outside app after watching some of small optics YouTube videos. Does this mean it's going to be clear at 11pm? Thanks Rich