Astr0Kaz

Thank you 😃 That is the kind of thing I was expecting it to be, however I've been unable to find any lens flare effect quite like it

Hi Paul, thanks for the idea 🙂, but I don't think so. Any dust in the optical train shows as a large circle, so the insect would have to have been hovering a meter or so above my scope to appear so small. It also disappeared when capturing the Orion Nebula and reappeared the following night when I went back to the Pleiades. It also stayed still for each 3 minute exposure, but then moved location as my mount dithered. I really think it must be a reflection of light from somewhere, I'm just not sure where 🤔 I think my stacking software will remove it, but it's just weird! Lol

Hi, I was taking 3 minute exposures of the Pleiades last week and I noticed a small fuzzy dot moving amongst the stars. I initially thought I had caught an asteroid until I realised the fuzzy thing changed direction randomly! Please see attached Gif which is showing a crop of each exposure in the order taken. I was using my ZWO ASI533mc camera (not the cooled version), William Optics Zenithstar 61 with field flattener 61a, Optolong l-pro filter, Skywatcher Star Adventurer pro 2i and guided with ZWO ASI120 & mini scope. I was also drizzling. The guiding was working well. The only thing that I can think of, is that it is light reflecting back onto the sensor somehow, maybe from one of the brightest over exposed stars or from external light pollution somewhere? When I switched to the L-eXtreme filter, the fuzzy thing disappeared. The same night, I also imaged the Orion Nebula with both filters and there were no issues. However, the following night, I tried the Pleiades again with the L-pro filter, and the fuzzy thing reappeared. This is why I believe It must have something to do with the over exposed stars or maybe the angle of my scope and external light pollution. Has anyone seen this before and if so, can you please explain this odd effect? I have been imaging with this OTA for over a year now and I've not noticed anything like this before. Thank you 😃

Thank you for posting these pictures 😃 I have only just heard about the Global meteor network (recent BBC Sky at Night episode) and I was interested to find out more about it. Unfortunately I've discovered UKMON are currently out of stock of their camera kits, but now I've seen your photos, I don't want to wait!! I'll try to make my own camera setup from scratch following their guide 😃 If you have any advice, I would really appreciate you help, thanks again 😃

Hi All, I thought I would give an update on my TAL2M - It now has power!! 😃 I purchased the above AC to AC power supply and it works perfectly as far as I can tell. I am using two separate leads with insulated crocodile clips to attach the two transformer wires to the two connecting points on the motor. It is perfect for visual astronomy and despite my poor attempt at polar alignment, it managed to keep on the target pretty well. Viewing Saturn through the eyepiece was just magical! 😍 The only issue that I'm having is that unfortunately it is no good for astrophotography. The motor vibrates! I can actually feel the vibrations through the entire OTA! I tried imaging Saturn with the motor on, but the vibrations caused a very wobbly image, despite a frame rate of 20 fps. One day I might upgrade to a heavy-duty tracking mount, but for the moment I only have a Skywatcher Star adventurer 2i. I believe the TAL2M OTA would kill it!! I have had fun doing up the scope though. I spent time over the summer cleaning the mirrors (very gently!) adding a primary mirror dot (it never had one!!), flocking the OTA and collimating. Alex at FLO was a massive help with this project 🙂 I thought I'd attach a few photographs in case anyone was interested. This is the transformer that comes inside the original power supply The motor. The three screws at the back are used to balance the scope - loosen the screws to allow the scope to move freely - balance the scope with the counter weight and then tighten the screws to re-engage with the motor. Before and after flocking Primary mirror, now with a central dot TAL2M with the ZWO ASI533 MC camera attached for imaging. These Images were taken with the motor turned off. I adjusted the scope manually every few seconds to keep the target in the FOV. The stacked images are not perfect, the seeing wasn't great, it was a partially cloudy night and I was also having trouble focusing precisely - the focuser is quite course. However, for a first attempt, I'm really happy with it. Now all I need is clear skies!!! It has been over a month now, and unfortunately the forecast is still clouds, clouds and more clouds for the next week Thanks again for all of your help 🙂 Kaz

Hi WolfieGlos, I'm hoping to start imaging planets this year too 😃, I'd like to get my old Tal 2m 6" Newtonian collimated and possibly flock lined for the job. I've not done either before, so it'll be a fun summer project (fingers crossed it doesn't go wrong!) . I have a ZWO ASI533mc (uncooled) camera that I hope to use. It is sold as a planetary camera, but I was recommended this by Chris at FLO as a Deep Sky Camera too, and it is very good! It's a huge improvement to my husband's old Nikon D300 DSLR that I was originally using 😃. I'm sure the cooled ZWO ASI533mc would have been better, but with the extra cost, it wasn't worth it for me. It might be something to think about if you wanted to try it for DSO's too? I am definitely no expert here though, others may tell you differently. I've put a lot of my DSO images with the ZWO ASI533mc on Instagram, Username Astr0kaz, so you are welcome to look if you were interested in the camera. I am still learning how to process them too, so they might not be the best examples. Thank you for the Cloudy Skies link 😃 that looks really interesting Best of luck with it

Hi All, I wanted to say hi to everyone and to mention how fantastic this forum is!! The forum contains so much information and I have received lots of help and advice from members already, for a relatively new amateur amateur astrophotographer, it has been invaluable 🙂 Thank you! I have loved looking up at the stars for as long as I can remember. My parents bought me my first telescope when I was about 10 years old and in my early 20's, in 1997, I purchased a TAL 2M 6" Newtonian which I still own. During the lockdown I started watching astrophotography videos on YouTube and I was amazed at what you could capture! I started my astrophotography journey using my husbands old Nikon D300 DSLR and 150mm Sigma lens and I was immediately hooked! I now have a small setup which incudes a Skywatcher Star Adventurer 2i, William Optics Zenithstar 61, ZWO 533MC (not cooled) and the ASIAIR Plus. I am also in the process of trying to re-vamp my old TAL 2m scope, in the hope that I can use it to capture the planets 😃 I wish you all clear skies and best wishes 🙂 Kaz

Hi JohnF-R Thank you so much for such a detailed description on how to refurbish the TAL 2M. I am tempted to try cleaning and possibly flocking mine, your post has definitely given me more confidence 😊 Can I please ask how you collimated the scope afterwards? I have seen a few different methods, using a Cheshire or laser collimator, Ocal, and even a webcam version, but I'm not sure which method would be the best choice for this scope? Without breaking the bank that is, I've just noticed a Hyper star laser collimator that sells for over £600 ..Gulp!! Thank you 😊 Kaz

@Carbon Brush Thank you, that does make a sense 😊 The motor and transformer have never really been used! I was in my early 20's when I brought the Tal2m, we were on holiday in Wales when I saw it in the window of a photography shop. Unfortunately I didn't have a clue how to use it back then, there was no YouTube in those days and I didn't know anyone else who owned a telescope. I soon gave up trying to understand how to use the motor, I was happy just using the scope manually ☺️ Thank you again for your help with this, I hope your mount is not hard to find 😃

I am only 15 minutes away from Coventry! 😄 It sounds like you have a great collection of scopes! My only other mount is a skywatcher star adventurer pro 2i which holds my William Optics Zenithstar 61 refractor. I think the Tal 2m scope would flatten it! Lol Thank you, and for the in-line fuse tip, that is a good idea! 😃

Thank you 😊 it is a lovely scope. I have never used the 100R or RS, but I have heard they are excellent scopes too, I hope you find one 😀

Thank you for your help 😃 Replacing the transformer does sounds like the safer option, if you do see anything that you think might be compatible, that would be brilliant, but please don't go to too much trouble, if your garage is anything like ours, I'm sure it contains a black hole! It probably swallowed my lead come to think of it! I haven't used the motor in over 10 years, although I did plug it into the mains quite recently and it made a gentle buzzing noise. I've no idea if the motor works though as I currently have no way of testing it. The scope has been stored in the original boxes in our garage since we moved house in 2011. I purchased the scope from new around 1997. It still looks good, although I'm pretty sure it needs collimating as I struggled to get it in focus. I've ordered a Bahtinov mask and I've been watching videos on YouTube about collimation, I just need to be brave enough to attempt it! It is a lovely scope, but it's so heavy! By the time I set it up in the garden I'm shattered lol. Thanks again 😃 Best wishes, Kaz

Thank you 😃 Unfortunately I am a bit lost with the technical aspects, but I think a new transformer sounds like a good idea. I am a bit concerned about the original unit with it being quite old now.

Thank you 😃 that is identical to my scope! Although my power supply looks different (please see my photo below) , I don't have the DC adapter that is in the picture above, but maybe I can purchase one (fingers crossed) Thank you again, I'll message them 😃

Thank you 😃 I'll have a look into it. Still kicking myself for losing the lead!