Mark at Beaufort

2 minutes ago, John said:

Perhaps the Baader Morpheus 6.5mm  would be worth considering ?. Good for globular clusters and planetary nebulae as well as doubles and solar system targets.

Thanks John - I have been considering the Baader Morpheus especially for Globs and PN. I remember my 5mm Nagler and in my 10" Dob a few years ago I had a brilliant view of M13.

1 minute ago, Piero said:

mm.. 5mm gives quite a lot of mag with your dobson (~300x ?), maybe too much for Jupiter under UK skies. Nice view though! 

Yes I agree which is why the 6mm seems better (253x) in the Dob. Not many wider field 6mm EPs around - that I can find. So that is why I was looking at a cheaper options at the present time.

3 minutes ago, Ricochet said:

How did you get on with using binoviewers and can you reach focus with them in your current scopes? If it was me I would always look to binoview for planetary unless it was impossible or for a lightweight travel setup where weight is important. 

With my 12" Dob I had to use 2 barlows to gain focus - the view was good especially on the Moon but too much hassle to set up. Hence my reasons to buy something in the 5mm or 6mm range.

4 minutes ago, Piero said:

The Moon is reasonably high in the winter. Which higher quality EP do you have in mind? 

I enjoy wider field EPs. I have thought about the ES 5.5mm 100 degree or the 5mm Myraid or APM/Lunt. What I really fancy is the 6mm Ethos but the cost is really too high. I could consider the 6mm Delos but again is it currently worth it?

I suppose a 68 degree FOV or high would be better for my needs (I accept the Skywatcher UWA Planetary is 58 degrees) so I really am unsure whichway to jump because of the poor position of the gas giants.

My main two scopes at present are a 12" f/5 Dob and a 6" f/5 Skywatcher. When its dark enough I would say 95% of my time is dedicated to DSO observing. I had previously owned a quality 4" ED frac and a 180mm Mak/Cass which when using binoviewers gave excellent views of the Moon and the Planets.

I observe the Moon, Jupiter and Saturn with my current equipment but my highest mag EP is a 9mm 100 degree Myraid. I can use my TeleVue 8-24 zoom with a Baader 2.25x barlow to view double stars which is pretty good. The Myraid gives a mag of 168x and 83x in 150P.

Looking at  the positions of the Jupiter and Saturn it appears that Jupiter does not rise above the Celestrial Equator until late 2022 and Saturn late 2025. So do I purchase a higher quality EP - say 5mm or 6mm or buy something like a Skywatcher UWA Planetary (£37) to keep me going over the next few years?

1 hour ago, SteveL said:

Its not entirely unlikely that I might be there for the weekend, although I do not have any of my astro kit any more. The best I have is my stablised binos (Its been a while)

Steve it would be good to see you again

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.

9 hours ago, mdstuart said:

I have just agreed to buy a 20 inch dob so my journey continues..

Mark

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.

@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.

1. I remove all items from the OTA - finders etc
2. I inspect my solar filter each time - firstly by looking at a very bright LED light in my kitchen
3. I then hand hold the filter looking at the Sun
4. The filter is then secured to the OTA 
5. 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
6. 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?

15 hours ago, PhotoGav said:

As for talks I would like to attend - something about spectroscopy for beginners and radio astronomy for beginners would be great, please!

11 hours ago, upahill said:

radio astronomy would be interesting I agree.

44 minutes ago, Jonk said:

+1 for radio, maybe not the top end stuff but maybe something on the basic homemade stuff?

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.

8 minutes ago, johninderby said:

Here’s the manual.

https://nimax-img.de/Produktdownloads/56447_1_Anleitung-EN.pdf

Oh and fingers crossed my DayStar Solar Scout SS60-DS arrives for the weekend. 👍🏻

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"?

43 minutes ago, AdeKing said:

Interested to know how @johninderby

removed the white disc to highlight the etched lines. I unthreaded the retaining ring but the disc wasn't going anywhere without persuasion with a blade so I've left it alone. 

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.

1 minute ago, johninderby said:

Prices keep changing on eBay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/362366838367?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ul_ref=https%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F1%2F710-53481-19255-0%2F1%3Ftype%3D4%26campId%3D5337682713%26toolId%3D10001%26customId%3Djvwgfh02tw013trd00003%26mpre%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.ebay.co.uk%252Fitm%252FSVBONY-Solar-Finder-Scope-Fully-Metal-For-Sun-Positioning-Solar-Eclipse-Observe%252F362366838367%253FssPageName%253DSTRK%25253AMEBIDX%25253AIT%2526_trksid%253Dp2057872.m2749.l2649%26srcrot%3D710-53481-19255-0%26rvr_id%3D1978021818040%26rvr_ts%3Dd59b46f916a0a16d6e229ea2ffb8ef20&ul_noapp=true

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

1 minute ago, Gina said:

I made my own (as usual).

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

On 06/05/2019 at 22:09, johninderby said:

The Lacerta and TS solar finders are .also adjustable. 

And the Svbony solar finder is available with a mini ball head mount which makes it fully adjustable. I added the ball head afterwards and it works a treat.

John have you a link to where I can obtain this Svbony solar finder from. Also I think you previously had a Lacerta solar finder - any opinion which you prefer.

Matthew a very enjoyable read. It must be great to come from London to a dark site. Perhaps we can persuade you to come to the SGL star party at Lucksall in late October this year.

3 minutes ago, paulastro said:

Yes, it is a great refractor Mark, as you and Mike both know it's myself that is the current custodian of it - and I expect it will be  the last scope I will ever own prior to having to retire from active observing, if that should happen before I fall off my perch .  It's the telescope's 11th birthday on April 21st - and the date is on my calendar so I can buy myself  it a birthday present .  In fact I've been thinking of advertising for an Astro-Tech dielectric diagonal for it. 

It's funny you should mention  the Mercury transit you observed with it, that's exactly what I'm planning to do with it this November 11th!

I quite like Mike's idea of you plying me with drink to try and get me to hand it back.  If we should meet, please ply me with as much drink as you like, though I can't guarantee you will be successful ?

 

 

 

Paul I used a TeleVue 2" Everbrite Diagonal which was brilliant on the Astro Tech.

To be honest if I am ever in Yorkshire it would be great to meet up with you and Mike and have a few drinks and chat about scopes and observing.

1 hour ago, L8-Nite said:

If you have the opportunity the next time you are in California, Horseshoe Meadow a few miles east of Mt. Whitney is a fantastic location for observing, although you will have to acclimate as its above 9000 ft elevation; great fishing for golden brown trout also.

Mike my Son lives with his family in Livermore just outside San Francisco. I used the Questar on Mount Diablo not far from the Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton. I checked that its about 400 miles to Mount Whitney from Livermore. Perhaps I should book a hotel in the area for a few night and take a look next time I am over.

38 minutes ago, mikeDnight said:

I know who's got that 4" F6.9 frac that you wish you'd never sold Mark, and what a lovely frac it is too! 

Sorry, I can't help myself. It must be an illness or something!! 

I'd suggest you could ply him with drink in the hope he'll hand it back, but that might cost more than buying a new one!

Thank you Mike. At least I know its being looked after. Ply him with drink and get him during a weak moment!!!

Chris what an excellent, informative video. I have owned so many telescopes over the years including a 6" f/5 Newt (which I still have) and a 4" APO f/6.9 frac ( which I wish I never sold). The frac with a Herschel Wedge and binoviewers gave me so much pleasure - I will not forget the views I had of the last Mercury Transit.

I undertake a great deal of outreach work and taking the 6" Newt is so easy to set up and will show a great deal. I suppose for all the convenience it gives I would agree with your findings. Last Thursday the Astro Society had a session nearby the SGL star party site with a sky reading of 21.2 and the views of DSOs in the 6" were very, very good.

However, like John, when I get the energy and a period of clear weather then the 12" Dob comes into its own.

Having enjoyed watching your video I am now really looking forward to the beginners scopes review.

PS - Last year, whilst in California, I had the opportunity of using a Questar and viewed Venus. It was excellent but not worth the $4995 asking price.

Great upgrade Alan and the photos show the procedure if anyone has any doubts. Brilliant.