RobertI

I've been going through the same process - I have a 150PL (F8) and a 5mm BST giving 240x, but feel I could go to higher mags for some doubles. The 4mm NIrvana was top of my list, but then I thought that another option is to replace my 5mm BST with a 5mm Hyperion. With the fine tuning rings (which I already have) I could get 5mm, 4mm, 3.2mm and 2.6mm, all from one eyepiece. To be honest, I would only use the 2.6mm on my other shorter FL scopes, but it does give the option of a range of focal lengths with which to experiment. I know Hyperions are not brilliant on F5 scopes (edge distortion), but they are very good on my F8 scope (sharp to the edges) and from memory work fine on my F6 scope (I'm sure others can also advise).

Interesting captures Martin, NGC is reminiscent of the Coathanger Cluster to me, but on a smaller scale of course. The blue/white stars are really striking against the background of redder stars.

Some great observations and fascinating background - I'm glad you did the inverted images and ringed the clusters, I really couldn't make out Berkeley 26 without it.

Looked beautiful over Manningtree a few minutes ago...

Although Sirius was boiling and bubbling the views of the moon through the 150P were actually exquisite. Loads of detail and tonight I was using a moon filter which I have to say made observing more enjoyable. Also managed to takes some pics on the phone to aid my memory - the real eyepiece views were far more spectacular. Most viewing done at x240. Highlights (south to north, top to bottom): A - Schiller, an intersting non-circular crater. B - A tri of large prominent craters; Phocyclides,Wargentin the middle with some lovely 'veins' visible in the floor and the largest, Shickard. C - A feature prominent in the darkness - it looked just like a seagull flying away from the moon. D - Two twins, Billy and Hantseen, identical shape and size but one with a flat floor and one with a rippled floor. E - Craters within craters, Damoiseau sits inside an unidentified larger crater F - An albedo feature named Reiner Gamma G - Aristarchus, incrediby bright even through the 9x50 finder, with the spectacular Shroter's valley nearby and a network of Rimae and Rupes! H - Mare Imbrium and Sinus Iridium, amazing mottled shades of grey and brown on the flat surface. The final surprise was the occultation of a 6th magnitude star which, after careful viewing for a good five minutes, winked out of sight in the darkness near the terminator. Thanks to @Stu for the heads up!

Just got it! Stood there for what seemed like ages, got really close to terminator then winked out of existence, no dimming (as theory would suggest), just gone. My first occultation! 🙂

You make these tight doubles seem so easy John! 😁. Sounds like a good night out there, I’ll have a quick go myself.

Congratulations on your new arrival. That’s a cool looking scope and looks just ‘so right’ on that AZ100; the combination of that scope and mount together must make observing a dream. I must admit my instant reaction was that red tube rings would look better, but it seems such a petty comment! As for the finder, I’d stick with the 6x30 and save some money! I recently bought a scope which came with a 6x30 finder and remembered how how effective they can be. Looking forward to second, third and subsequent lights.

I have been thinking the same thing for some time. I think remote EAA is a very l interesting opportunity, I’d be interested! It doesn’t place the same demands on the equipment as traditional imaging so needn’t be so expensive. EAA sessions are sometimes streamed live on YouTube by the user - could potentially provide some useful ‘exposure’ for IKI (excuse the pun). Also it might not just be for outreach, there are plenty of people doing EAA observing ‘projects’ who would kill for a decent setup with guaranteed skies.

Superbly captured, well done.

Thanks Chris. Sky Safari said 7.1/6.1, 1.0”, PA322, and 5.4/6.4, 1.5”, PA311. So my mag differences are a bit wider than yours, but I think your figures are more accurate as I didn’t feel that there was a full magnitude difference between either pair. My sketches are not that accurate I’m afraid (added for interest!), my visual estimate at the time was that both pairs were pointing roughly NW, giving PA of 315 or so, which seemed close enough to confirm the catch (hopefully). I believe (and hope) that the PA is measured counterclockwise through a Newt starting at North. I will try and work on my sketches! 😁

Thanks Chris, looking forward to seeing the 8.75” F6.3, no rush! 👍

Yes, good point Stu, if planets and luna are the main targets, then the eyepiece height is not going to vary that much. My journey to the 6" F8 was realising how nice the Heritage 130P was, thinking that a slightly larger, closed tube newt with a R&P/crayford focuser would give even better results and still be super-convenient. It came down to a 6" F5 (nice a short, useable for EAA, but 'pin cusioning' effect visually, at least with my Hyperions) or a 6" F8 (less convenient, but brilliant for doubles/planets and edge to edge sharpness). I concluded that an F6 was probably a good compromise, but not many 6" F6's about (perhaps a gap in the market for a new StellaMira @FLO? 😉). In fact, during my research, many people said that the best 6" F8 scope is an 8" F6! But a 150PL came up used, and as I am currently getting more into doubles, it seemed the answer for the time being. I will of course eventually run out of space for any more scopes!

Thanks for the link John, a very interesting read. I suspect the F11 will lose some of the convenience of the F8, but lots of optical pluses. At some point, because enjoy comparing my scopes, I am going to do a planetary head to head with the C8, which has performed brilliantly on Jupiter, but awful on doubles! I'm curious to see how the 150P gets on.

F11 - now you're talking!

Thanks Chris, the purchase was a bit of an experiment, but I really enjoyed my inital session and I'm chomping at the bit to get out again. In fact I don't think I've ever enjoyed first light with a scope as much before. The star test is more of an irritiation than anything and a conundrum to be solved, and it hasn't spoiled anything. Based on the fun factor so far, I would seriously consider an OO VX6 in future.

Thanks Stu. I posted some background information on my old 'observatory' a few years back.

Very nice sketch!

Fascinating observations Martin, the colour analysis is a great piece of work. I notice RikJ’s image also has one or two green stars so must be a tricky one for colour balance. NGC2301 is very pretty, funny how the eye is drawn to patterns - I can see several curves and one full circle!

Very prominent, interesting one to watch next time round, sadly clouded out here.

Thanks for all the comments. I forgot to mention that the last time I used a 6" F8 Newt was 35 years ago, when I had a Fullercopes ota on a Charles Frank mount. Picture of my little roll off obsy in my parents garden. Spent many happy hours with that scope, it felt good to be using one again.

Well done @FLO these scope look superb and the specs are very interesting, particularly the 80ED F10 - I think you may have found an interesting gap in the market...

It’s great that the product works! It’s no mean feat to bring all that tech together and make it work for the consumer. Glad you’re happy. Can you capture some images next time you are out and post them for us to enjoy. 👍

Ah that’s very re-assuring, thanks Mark.

Thanks John, I will definitely redo the star testing each time I observe, I’m sure the things will become clearer. I suspect there are lots of factors at play here, as always it will be an education!