Flame Nebula

It doesn't imply anything. I asked, because I wanted to know from anyone who has seen something. Maybe, due to better contrast perhaps? If you don't have specific experience of this, that's fine,isn't it.

No, it's deliberate. 😉

The title says it all. Curious to know, on same night, same target, have you seen something in the refractor, you couldn't see in the larger reflector. Thanks Mark

Thanks Ivor Very helpful reply. It sounds like the aperture ring will be useful. I think probably the first thing to do, when I get the scope, is test it in its native form for visual observation, then try planetary imaging, which is one of the main reasons I'm planning to get it. After this initial testing, I can proceed from there, although, I am tempted to get the compression ring at the same time as the scope, as I have one of those got my 80ed,and there are very good. Mark

Absolutely Stu👍

Useful comments Mike 👍

Thanks Steve! Looks useful. What I did notice, which was interesting, was the arc second resolutions. Not sure if these are a representative sample for my area all year round, but if they are, then a 4" apo would see all there was to see most of the time, at least visually. I use the phrase " most of the time", because clearly, with prolonged sitting at a larger aperture scope I'm sure occasionally there will be moments of sub arcsecond seeing, where the scope would shine. But, nevertheless, it makes the 4"apo more attractive.

Yes, I do feel sorry for him. 😉

I read an interesting article, "Predicting astronomical seeing in the UK", by the esteemed planetary photographer, Damian Peach, which concluded that July to early October was the best time to observe planets and double stars, with respect to seeing. So, of course, this triggered a post🤔 Has this been your experience? When you've had good seeing, was it associated with any particular weather front? Finally, I've tried and failed, to locate a website that predicts seeing in uk. Anyone know if one exists? I've seen ones that predict cloud, but I can use any old weather app for that! Thanks Mark SoPredicting astronomical seeing in the UK Authors: Peach, D.: Predicting astronomical seeing in the UK Authors: Peach, D.: Predicting astronomical seeing in the UK Authors: Peach, D. Authors

Well, I'm also at 53°N, with 59 years old eyes, apparently early stages of cataracts 😡, but like you, I'm going to enjoy getting these trinkets, one way or another. I love the idea of seeing a white dwarf circling a star twice as massive as our sun, only 8.5 light years away. And if we can't see it now at maximum elongation from Sirius, we never will. 👍

Hi Mike, Probability of getting scope(s). Persistence and some seeing luck, seems the name of the game. 👍

I wonder if the light scatter reduction of fluorite glass made a difference too?

Indeed, I've noticed the seeing has been particularly bad when I nipped out to the bins, the rain was annoying too. 😂

Hi, you have bortle 6 like me, I believe. I'm hoping with the extra grunt of an 8", I'll be able to add another couple of magnitudes.

Hi Stu, Seeing is believing 😉 One point you made that did jump out at me, was the light pollution/limiting magnitude. I've noticed that with the naked eye, I can't see stars above approx 4.5. That's about 1.5-2 mags below a dark sky, I believe. And this is something I've seen in my ed80, where I can't pick out stars at its theoretical limit, and interestingly, the same approximate gap exists there, where I struggle to see stars much above mag 10.5. This may be at least part of the reason it fails on the e and F. However, even with the larger 127mm aperture, I still fail, demonstrating something else is going on. Seeing?

Hi, Yes I suspect you're right about sirius B. Maybe you need either a larger newt, like 12", as I know people on this forum have seen it with those, or a smaller apo. Partly the reason, inter alia, that I'm thinking of the Sw120ed, as I know at least one person on this forum has seen it with that.

Hi Previously, I've seen several posts discussing these. In this country sirius B is hard, and the e/f stars particularly f, elusive. My own experiences have failed with both, using SW80mm ed and 127mak. My future weaponry is going to be the 200pds (95%probable now) on an AZEQ6. Secondary weaponry, a used SW120ED (50%probable). I would like your opinions/thoughts/musings, on the chances of either of these scopes bringing home these astronomical delicacies? 🤔 If I recall I seem to remember John producing a nice sketch of the Pup from the 120ed. Location: outskirts Nottingham, bortle 6 sky ( in theory) in case this info helps. Thanks Mark

Yes, that is my plan. Apparently, it enables one to be even lazier and control the rig from inside the house 😀

Hi Bosun, That's interesting, as I didn't realise that. Does flo sell it? You're right though, for that price I could get a used SW120ed

Hi Geoff, It will be the az-eq6, if everything goes as planned. Thanks Y

Thanks Peter, I have yet to dip my toe into EEA and/or AP, but the point you make about making sure you're absolutely on target is an important one. When I wrote the post, I was thinking primarily about making life easier for visual observation, but actually, for many targets I'm sure the normal goto facilities with synscan will be OK. The other point, and please forgive my ignorance, is that I'm planning to get the asiair plus, which I believe does plate solving, so maybe having star sense would not be needed for that, in this case? I still need to download a lot more knowledge about EEA and AP terminology and work flow. I know 10 times more now, than a month ago, but need to learn a lot more. Thanks Mark

Hi I've seen this on flo site, and looks perfect for the lazy astronomer. So, for £400+, is it worth it, or would you say "put the money toward something else, like a used SW 120ed", 🤔 I think I know what the ratio of worth it : not worth it, will be. But let's see.... Thanks Mark

OK. Hopefully I can connect to the asiair from a PC, wirelessly, and stack live. Otherwise, I'll have to presumably store the capture on the asiair and stack etc later.

Thanks. I plan to use an ASIAIR plus to control capture, but I'd like to familiarise myself with the alternatives.

Thanks 👍. I'll definitely be starting simply, 😬