Mark at Beaufort

That is very nice and I do prefer this version. Since your original post I noticed that I observed NGC5982 in 2011 and 2017 but no record of the other two. I have also noted that Sue French in her book - Deep Sky Wonders she stated that all three were viewed in her 10" Newt. Look forward to darker skies.

Very nice image. Whenever I see a quality image it makes me want to view the area with my 12". I am hopeful for NGC 5982 and 5985 but I think that the edge on NGC 5981 will be beyond my reach. Really pleased you posted this image.

Doug I have the 20mm Myriad which is brilliant in my 12" Dob. I orginally had the 21mm Ethos but I sold all my 100 degree EPs which I regretted in the end. I must admit that thinking back at the views of the Ethos I don't believe there is much difference which is why I am happy to continue with my 20mm Myriad. I look forward to your review.

That looks a interesting set up Ade. As you say excellent for an outreach event. A few years ago I did the same procedure using the Kellner EP that came with the PST. I did not appreciate that some the internal bits of the EP were plastic until smoke came out of the EP. Just goes to show care needed when solar observing. Nice scope by the way.

Doug thanks for posting this event - with a closing date of 1st September it gives us to time to visit. Secondly well done Olly and Tom.

I use a 8-24 TeleVue zoom on my PST which I prefer to the stand alone EPs. To be honest I set the zoom, in the main, to the 16mm position because I find the view is much sharper and brighter. I occasionally move up to the 12mm settings to view individual areas but never higher. I hope you sort your problem without too much expense.

Mark that sounds fantastic. I look forward to many great observing reports in the future. Are you going to keep the 16" Dob as well?

I have the AZ5 on the heavy duty tripod and as you say the literature from Skywatcher states a 9kgs payload capacity. The details from Celestron state that the C8 has a weight for the OTA of 5.67 kgs so it should be okay on the AZ5. On my AZ5 I only use a 150P scope but it has had a 80mm finderscope and a 20mm 100 degree EP on top and as long as the balance is okay anything works well.

Gav - A nice set of Globs . Hopefully, you can add M22 when it gets a bit higher. It would be good to compare M22 next to M13.

Okay well Astro darkness has gone but last night was my first opportunity to try and observe the SN in NGC 5353. I set up the 12" Dob together with my 80mm finderscope and started about 11pm to try and view DSOs. I started with the Sunflower galaxy (M63) which was a fine sight in the 13mm Ethos. I moved to over to the group of galaxies forming Hickson 68 and NGC 5353, 5354 and 5350 were all very clear. I tried all sorts of EPs and magnifications but I could not detect the SN even though I knew its location. I compared several nearby stars in the 13+ mag area but no go. I tried several times during the course of the observing period (finished at 1.30am) but could not see the SN. I would be interested to know its current mag. Anyway still enjoying the very clear night I moved over to NGC 5371. Moved back to Cor Caroli and picked up NGC 5033 and 5005. Went the other end to Chara to view NGC 4490 (Cocoon Galaxy) and 4485. Several years ago I spent a wonderful observing night with @Johnat an SGL star party at Lucksall. Two objects that I enjoyed observing at the time was NGC 4631 (Whale Galaxy) and NGC 4656 (Hockey Stick). Last night they were very clear in the 13mm Ethos. I decided to end the night with M51 and I started to see faint spiral arms structure. The 13mm Ethos really shows it well.

An enjoyable report Nick. I should observe more doubles.

Really nice solar images - I particularly like the middle colour image.

@wesdon1you have received some positive and good advice. As Alien 13 stated above if you are using a reflector it is not suitable for solar projection. Anyway this is my procedure when undertaking white light solar observing. I remove all items from the OTA - finders etc I inspect my solar filter each time - firstly by looking at a very bright LED light in my kitchen I then hand hold the filter looking at the Sun The filter is then secured to the OTA I then find the Sun using a device like this - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SVBONY-Solar-Finder-Scope-Fully-Metal-Mount-Dovetail-Slots-Mount-Dovetail-Slots/323318485106?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649 I usually look into the eyepiece tube (no eyepiece fitted) to see if I can see any pin holes. If there are any pin holes you can cover them as Olly stated above I have used Baader film, Glass filters (Orion and Thousand Oaks) and a Herschel Wedge and I happy to say no problems to date. You may decide to make your own - here is a video produced by Pete Lawrence for the Sky at Night - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p014hpkh Finally, always check each time and don't rush. Have a procedure that you know works for you and stay with it.

John I am very interested in your opinion on this Ha scope especially your view reference your Lunt 60 that you had. With my PST I can see Proms really well and when I add my Double Stack the surface detail is very good. I must admit I am a little concerned at the warm up time but I suppose you can set up the scope and go inside for a cup of tea. Gary Palmer's review is comprehensive which is a plus in making a decision. My dilemma is it worth selling a double stack PST to buy this new scope. Update observing report using PST and DS. On GONG the image shows a nice Prom on the NE and just below there is bright area 'Plage'. There are 3 very small filament dots in the North in a row. On the South/East right at the bottom is another small filament dot.. I can see all this using the Double Stack - what is your view @johninderby?

I have a member of Herefordshire Astro Society who is very knowledgeable on Radio Astronomy. I will chat with @Grantplus others downstairs and see what I can arrange.

Thanks John for the manual link. I look forward to your review.

This new Daystar Solar Scout SS60 DS 60mm looks very interesting. I bought my PST in 2005 and used it most sunny days (including today). About 2 years ago I bought the Double Stack which made a great difference showing surface detail. This PST has travelled the world seeing Total, Annular, Venus and Mercury Transits - its been a brilliant purchase. I was thinking that after 14 years I needed an upgrade and now this turns up. Clearly I would like to see more reviews. I assume that the scope could be charged from the mains if you don't have a powerpack? Because I don't have a refractor I would need a diagonal - does it matter whether its a 2" or 1.25"?

I have been away quite a bit so not had any chance to use the 12" Dob seeking out the SN. Hopefully, I will get a clear spell - Thursday going into Friday looks promising.

Hello Chris - as Helen mentioned I have the Heritage 130P which I use as a quick grab and go but also I take it to outreach events with my Astro Society. I have made a few changes to the scope which you can see on the photos. I have changed the secondary screws to 'Bob Knobs'. I have drilled the main OTA to fit a dovetail so I can use a 9x50 finderscope. Finally, I made a shroud out of neoprene which is secured by velcro. The two photos show it fitted on various mounts - a Skywatcher AZ5 and a standard photo tripod with a geared head for travel.

Ade I never removed anything. I sharpened a pencil to a very fine point and simply followed the lines. It now looks the same as John's target area.

I agree John but the one I purchase had the extra dovetail plate.

I did as well Gina using a Pringle tube but it really was too large. I felt that £17 for a handy small metal device, which also included a separate dovetail plate, was a good deal. In fact I am going to use the dovetail plate on my 12" Dob because it will hold my 80mm Finderscope better as it has two holding screws.

Thanks to @johninderbyI also purchased this solar viewer from China. It came within 7 days and cost just over £17 with postage. Fitted the solar viewer in a finderscope bracket and both the main refractor and solar viewer were perfectly in line. I used a sharp pencil to outline the display screen to make it more easy to view. I won't show a photo as @chaz2bhas already done a good job above. However, I attach a eBay link just in case anyone else wants to purchase this handy little device. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SVBONY-Solar-Finder-Scope-Fully-Metal-Mount-Dovetail-Slots-Mount-Dovetail-Slots/323318485106?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Great report Geoff. Its a pity that Jupiter and Saturn will not be high in the UK for several years. I agree with your statement that when the sky conditions are perfect and your scope is well collimated you can get some excellent views with less expensive EPs.

I have the Heritage 130P which I use as a grab and go scope. I think the max magnification you should consider is 30X per inch of aperture although as Craig mentioned you could go higher if the sky allowed especially if you want to split doubles and view the Moon. So you need a wide FOV for clusters etc. A medium EP and a higher EP + a barlow. My choice of the BST range would be 25, 15 and the 8 + barlow. This would be 26X, 43X and 81X. With barlow 52X, 86X and 162X.