Mark at Beaufort

Certainly getting closer. Viewed using the Heritage again with the SvBony zoom. I am really hoping the sky will be clear over the next few days. The forecast for the 21st is not looking good.

Yes I watched the Total Solar Eclipse on Monday using www.timeanddate.com - there was a fair bit of cloud about. I also looked at the image on Gong from Cerro Tololo Chile - very impressive. I am hoping to see another Total Eclipse - looking at 2026 and 2027 - I just wonder whether somewhere in mainland Spain might be better that the Islands. As regards 2027 I thought about the Costa del Sol going towards Gibraltar.

Great report John. I was not able to observe tonight so hopefully I will grab it again in the next few days.

Clear in Hereford so had another look with the Heritage. I used the 10mm Celestron Untima Duo 68 degrees both Planets nicely placed in the FOV. I then had a quick close up of Jupiter then Saturn using the 9mm Fujiyama + Baader 2.25x barlow - mag - 162x. Image not totally stable but a nice view all the same.

@Stu1smartcookiea very enjoyable read. I have owned many scopes over the years and I really enjoy the quick grab and go sessions when the sky clears for a short while. Last night I set up my 6" Newt on an AZ5 mount and had a wonderful session for a few hours. I started with the Jupiter/Saturn conjunction and then took in a number of DSOs. I agree that a 200mm Dob is a brilliant scope for easy set up and you can take in so many objects visually.

No problem John. I have also picked up both planets. 3 Moons visible on Jupiter plus surface markings. Saturn also captured but no Titan as yet. Best view is with 13mm Ethos with the 9mm right against the field stop. I have also obtained close up views using the 10mm Baader Ortho + Baader 2.25x barlow

Yes I have the 6" Newt out tonight so hopefully the current clear sky remains for a bit longer. Checking on Stellarium I should get both in the same FOV using the 13mm Ethos and possibly the 9" Myriad. At 5.50 UT we should catch Io existing from Jupiter's shadow.

This type of collimator seems to be getting more popular. I wonder whether @FLOmight consider this product by going straight to the manufacturer?

In the last 45 minutes the sky totally cleared to give me a view of Jupiter and Saturn. I quickly set up the Heritage 130P and viewed both planets individually using my 10mm and 6mm Baader Classic Orthos. I noticed that Io was almost touching the edge of Jupiter. I noticed that Io will start a shadow transit at 6.20pm (too low maybe for me) Changed EPs to the ES68 24mm and obtained both planets in the same FOV. Changed to a 17mm Celestron Ultima 68 degrees and again both planets in the same FOV. I could pick out 2 of Jupiter's Moons - Europa is behind Jupiter. I could also pick out Titan. Still hoping for clear nights leading up to the 21st but it has been a good start.

Reading this thread brought back so many memories. I original bought the Charles Frank Junior Telescope and then looked at the 3 Newts on offer. I think the 4" was advertised in mail order catalogues and I remember that a local youth club bought one paying so much per week. If I remember the 8+ inch newt was a truss design?? - I so wanted one. In the end I obtained a 6" Newt made with a wooden tube and this was place on a Charles Frank EQ mount. The attached poor photo from 1972 shows the scope with the Charles Frank Junior Astro Scope on the top.

Nice report Doug. I was surprised you were selling your 127L because it must be a great double star splitter. Glad you decided to keep it.

I have many filters but for this scope I would get a UHC filter. Something like this - https://www.firstlightoptics.com/uhc-oiii-visual-filters/explore-scientific-uhc-nebula-filter-1-25-2-inch.html You can spend a great deal of filters but this filter from Explore Scienific seems a good starting point.

I have used my Heritage 130P for a number of years and have made many modifications to it. I use the Heritage as my quick grab and go and mainly use my TeleVue 8-24 zoom (no longer available). I totally agree with what has been said about buying a zoom. I often add the Baader Classic 2.25x barlow to view double stars to get extra magification. So as everyone has stated the Hyperflex 7-21 zoom is what I would purchase. In fact there is one in the offers area of FLO asking £60 (bargain).

Michael I know this is not a CircleT but its an Ortho the size you want - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fullerscopes-12-5mm-Orthoscopic-Eyepiece-1-25-Japan/124445070934?hash=item1cf9811656:g:Q-kAAOSwwkZftNxi

Hello @SunshineI maybe totally wrong on this but I think you need to check that a triplet is okay to use without some form of protection to the front objective. If the triplet is cemented together the heat of the Sun could damage the objective before it reaches IR cut filter and quark. I appreciate that someone may reply and state I am talking rubbish but I would check just in case.

Jay is a dedicated and interesting guy to meet. I have been to the Spaceguard Centre many times over the years and chatted with Jay. This will be an interesting talk.

Well done John you have been a great ambassador for SGL over the years. I think it was SGL4 when we first met and I will never forget the night we observed together viewing so many DSOs. You have been a great friend.

I have the PST + DS and I can state that the image is dimmer but I also use a black out hood. I bought my PST in 2005 for the annular eclipse in Spain followed by the Total eclipse in 2006 (Turkey). I was really happy with my PST until I tried the double stack at a SGL star party. I then obtained a used double stack a few years ago. I usually start with just the single PST turning the wheel to get a white light view which you cannot really obtain with the DS in place. To obtain better surface detail I add the DS. If I was starting out now I would most likely buy the Lunt 50, not because I am not happy with my PST, but I believe that the extra 10mm would improve the view. In saying that I have been told that the surface detail in a PST+DS is better than the single Lunt 50.

Nice one Paul. I had Sun today so was able to pick up this new sunspot in the PST.

I have a location quite close to me with a good view of this area of sky. I will take my Heritage 130P and a zoom eyepiece. I may start a few days earlier just in case I am clouded out on the 21st. Its worth checking out your eyepiece FOV in Stellarium from about 17th onwards to get an idea what you might observe.

Jeremy funny you should say that because the other 3 did form a successful band. I have one of their CDs somewhere.

I found this photo of my first telescope taken (I Think) at the partial solar eclipse in September 1968. I am stood behind my 60mm frac with fellow astronomy friends. The location was my parents home with my home made observatory.

Thanks Michael - it does appear that the 2nd edition is a good improvement.

Doug I have been looking at your attached photo showing the SAO numbers which are not included in the first edition. It certainly helps using the SAO number in Stellarium. Perhaps I might consider an upgrade.

Thanks Doug that is really useful - my CDSA is the first edition which does not show it in the detailed text at the back of the book.