Albir phil

The one I use most🤗

I think best way to use laser pointers is don't! Sooner or later you could have a issue with one.😵‍💫

43 minutes ago, Flakmunky said:

Hi All,

I'm a new member, having just bought a a second-hand Sky Watcher 130P on an EQ2 with the standard 25mm & 10mm kit eyepieces and a Sky Watcher 7mm Plossl.

I have a couple of questions about the mount which I can't find an answer for, most likely because I don't know the names of these!

Anyway, what is the cam circled below used for?

 

And similarly what is the use of the grub screw highlighted below?

Thanks in advance!

Tim

 

 

I think the cam is a clutch to disengage the slow motion worm so you can move the mount by hand to your target .  Not sure about the grub screw as I can't see it clearly on your pic have you tried undoing it,if it is more than finger tight I would leave it alone . someone else my advise you more on what it's purpose is.

22 minutes ago, PhilB61 said:

Whilst it may be physically possible to use the focus knobs, especially the fine focus (as it exerts a geared reduction) what you are doing is forcing the reduction gearbox in the EAF the wrong way with consequent very high torque which could potentially strip the gears. I have previously seen ZWO support on their forum saying it shouldn't be done and that manual focus should only be done via software or the optional hand controller. The reason it's harder with power applied is that the stepper motor exerts an electronic braking force.

Ok thanks for reply. I was under the impression that it was not possible to even turn the knobs. It was just so easy to turn that it seemed no harm could be done again thank for info I will leave it alone and use the hand control 👍

According to all I have read you can't use the focus knobs when eaf is fitted, when I have mine powered I cannot use the knobs, however when I have no .power to it I can focus with the knobs.Anyone else found thiis

1 hour ago, Cornelius Varley said:

From what I understand, the card slot is for Minolta creative expansion cards for plug-in modules that add more functions to the camera.

Minolta Creative Expansion Cards (1988 - 1997): Unlocking New Possibilities for Your Camera – photography (vitorfonseca.com)

Thank for the information very helpful thought for a moment it was some sort of storage card, original cost of this camera was  £500 +, a fair chunk of cash then,and now.

I came across this camera it is film but it also has a std slot with a card anyone seen this camera or owned one.

Hi John 

1 hour ago, h107 said:

I feel like this is something that you never really see many threads on but is something I would love to have a go at at some point. Does anyone have any good advice for doing this? What kinda filters might I be looking at?

Well you can use mylar filter sheet which you fit over your telescope objective,or over tube if it's a reflector, probably cheapest option, or a glass solar filter again fits over your objective,you would have to get the correct size f.or your scope, or but most expensive a Hershel wedge.All this is for white light images.If you are thinking Hydrogen Alpha imaging be prepared to dig deep into your pocket 

1 hour ago, Roy Challen said:

For what it's worth, the tuning knob was turned fully anticlockwise.

Ok thanks for that info.  I always say if you are happy with something that all that matters 🤓

3 minutes ago, Roy Challen said:

I wouldn't take a phone image through a Ha scope as any sign of quality. The view through it is far superior. For a start, the sun appears deep orange, not pink. But the level of detail and contrast through the eyepiece is totally different.

The image is a crayon scribble compared to a Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece!

I'll get it out and see what I can get with my DSLR,

11 hours ago, Roy Challen said:

I've had it for three years now, and it has been my most used scope by far. If I were allowed just one scope, the Daystar would be it.

There has been a lot of talk of the variable quality of the quark that goes into it, but as far as I am concerned, mine is good. I haven't looked through any others, or any other Ha scope for that matter, so nothing to compare it to.

As an entry point to hydrogen alpha observating, I have no hesitation in recommending it.

 

Thanks for reply, as I said I have same scope probably like you for 3 years.i haven't used it much, a bit disappointed with it, but having seen your image I'll get it out and spend more time with it.Think I may have been a bit unfair to it.🤔

19 hours ago, Roy Challen said:

Daystar solarscout, Baader 32mm plossl, manual alt-az mount and my phone.

Hi I have the same scope what's your opinion on it 🤔

6 hours ago, Roy Challen said:

Seen while dodging clouds, bright, very intricate details, rapidly changing. Well worth setting up for.

What equipment did you use

3 hours ago, Adaaam75 said:

I did, which tells me my initial focusing was slightly off because I had to stretch the images more than I wanted to to get some sharpness at a cost of resolution. I'm hoping to be able to achieve better focus in future but not great seeing hampers visually focusing and my Bahtinov skills aren't great (apparently!).

Yeah I used to over sharpen when I first started as well as contrast, but you learn as you progress in processing.End of the day if you're happy with the images that's what matters.🤓

16 minutes ago, Adaaam75 said:

Guys,

Constructive criticism please, seeing wasn't great and I was fumbling through Registax and GIMP but I'm very happy with my first real attempts.

ASI 462MC through Sharpcap on a 9.25/AVX. No filters. Probably 2000 frames but loads binned due to poor seeing.

Please bring the honesty and advice...

Your right to be pleased with the images 👍 .Did you do much processing with them as far as sharpening and contrast ?

Great image,stars stars more stars, love it👍👍

6 hours ago, Sunshine said:

Oh yes, but it is perfectly fine to stir the pot when you’re bringing up valid points. He does Quote Einstein and isn’t necessarily making anything up that is not already known, it seems to be a genuine conundrum, I wonder what will be discovered one day to turn our understanding on its head. If we become comfortable with a conventional value simply because another cannot be measured then we may as well throw the scientific method out the window. 

I think a lot of Utub posting,not all, most are very good, are click fodder

22 minutes ago, Elp said:

With an air it's easy, within the autorun section, you set to record flats, how many and set the exposure to auto and it will auto calculate the correct duration. Much easier than doing it manually.

👍👍

7 minutes ago, Elp said:

Are you using a computer controller with your setup for the image acquisition?

Thinking about getting a led flat panel, my set-up is run through asiar mini ,it just seems more complicated with a dedicated CMOS camera I'm use to a dslr

Hi just need some advice on taking flats ,I have W O 81 GT, and zwo 533 colour camera ,if anyone has same or similar set up how do you aquire your flats.Seems more involved than with DSLR . Hope someone can help🤔

1 minute ago, Albir phil said:

Yeah think I'm guilty of comfort buying although I do use most of what I buy.Problem knowing what I need rather than what I need 

Correction what I need rather than what I want

37 minutes ago, Greymouser said:

Am I the only one to do this? I bet I am not. I have been looking at my astro gear, thinking that I have too much, it needs rationalising. ( ) Looking back at the last few years, many things I have got have been impulse buys, with the best of intentions, but then see little use. Usually bought when life is getting difficult, partly for that buzz of the arrival of new great gear! I Partly blame the weather, ruining the few observing chances I get, forcing me to browse on astro suppliers websites! I wonder how long it will be until I run out the SeeStar?

Yeah think I'm guilty of comfort buying although I do use most of what I buy.Problem knowing what I need rather than what I need 

1 minute ago, Albir phil said:

 

Hi welcome to sgl I have glasses 🤓 but I never wear them if I'm observing and have no problem,I have been into astronomy since I was about 11 heck that's along time ago,I remember the late Patrick Moore telling me you don't need glasses when you look throu a telescope so I never have.Good luck hope you get clear sky's 🌠

4 hours ago, Hellfire said:

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome, even if it does feel a bit king billy right now😂

Yes inedible_hulk I did manage an hour or so on Tuesday evening, spent mainly Moon watching but had a look at Jupiter as well.

dweller25 I did manage a quick look at Jupiter. Eyepieces I have are : Super 10 Long Eye Relief and Super 25 Wide LER plus a 2x Achro Barlow. These I think must have come with the original scope package. Also have a Revelation set, whether this came with it I can't remember. The set consists 6 filters, and  6, 9, 12, 15, 20 and 32mm Plossils.

Being a spectacles wearer , I find looking through the larger lenses ok but it's difficult looking through the smaller ones. Any tips would be most welcome.

Charles