Space Hopper

TTS-160 Panther......?

+1 for grass Rob.

Its actually a very fine image. Congratulations, well done for persevering 😀

I saw them by chance last night : about 40 of them at a guess. So i went out tonight at the listed time, and never saw them at all. Typical !! Just the odd one here and there......maybe that was Elons car ?

But i'd be stuck without the extra out focus they give !! High power and 2" glass would be a no-go

Something i'm going to put to the test. The Baader Amici (T2 version #2456130 , not the mega expensive one) is a very good performer. It will take magnification well, and i mainly use mine for daytime terrestrial / birding and Lunar viewing. As an example, i can read a car number plate with it, with a binoviewer, at a distance of 1.9km. This was at 88x mag. I've only so far noticed the horizontal line aberration with Venus, and you can't really get any brighter than that. Its my intention to purchase a good quality Baader mirror diagonal as well at some point soon, and do some comparisons, with the Amici and my other Baader prism diagonals. I'm not expecting to see a 'night and day' difference, but who knows, i may be surprised ? I think the biggest factor here, are the UK skys, rather than our diagonals that we use in our scopes.

My Uni 18 (in Nutwood Brown stain) purchased in 2014, direct from Berlebach, and still in active service. Mainly used with my DM-6 Alt-az. Its been a good dependable workhorse over the years. I have the 'spread stopper' rather than any chains and use both the floor spikes and the 'rubber feet'.

If you can see Trap 'E' and 'F' you are in the right ballpark ! They can be very elusive from UK sky's.

Loving the FT and Tron27. Very impressive bit of kit. Wishing you clear skies !

Almost the same set up JTEC !! 24 Panoptics * Can't fault. Perfect in every way. They set a benchmark. 19 Panoptics 13 Naglers These are my 3 main 'workhorse' pairs. A costly investment, but some were purchased used. Still cheaper though than premium 2" cyclops glass. I tried all sorts, but i've found these pretty much tick all the boxes. The 13s have eye relief thats a little on the tight side for my liking. They also have abnormally long barrels that don't sit flush in the Mk 5 I like the 82º fov at max power (196x) with the 2.6x gpc, especially using manual alt-az I like my binoviewer eyepieces to be small and manageable. I've tried Delos, but they were way too big. For the same reason i've never pushed the button on a Docter 12.5 (now Noblex) although i'd love to look through a pair.

I'll have a look for it myself next time i'm out. Mind you .....Panstars was a tough one to spot. I finally saw it with averted vision last time out. These comets need to brighten up a bit !! 😃

That looks like it ! Its just below the 'Cepheus house' Unmistakable in a scope : its Mag +3.4 - +5.1 variable. Its a very striking star indeed. I believe it is a double, with a companion of Mag +12 about 20 arc seconds away (quite a challenge to see it in my refractor in UK skys) Its a mere 2.4 billion miles across, and if replaced our sun (we'd be toast) it would extend all the way out to the orbit of Saturn (which would also be toast) If you are an imager, its close to 'The elephants trunk nebula' IC 1396. See if you can spot 'Hinds Crimson star' Thats another good red star.

I think any eyepiece thats been designed by Paul Dellechiaie and the Tele-vue team is going to be something special, and i'm absolutely sure this certainly is. To me though, its double the cost of what i'd personally want to pay for an eyepiece. I couldn't justify it. And what if they then bring out an Apollo 13....? Co-signed by Al Nagler and Tom Hanks ! 😀 I don't think they are though.....its 50th anniversary launch is exactly one month away and i've not heard anything. Talking of eyepieces, there is one very special eyepiece i've longed to try out, and am currently saving up for.....? Can you guess what it might be........?? 😉

I've never had any issues buying used stuff, and i sell plenty as well, be it on here, on UKAB/S or privately. Having said that i only tend to buy and sell premium stuff anyway that is tried and tested and well regarded. Most of what i have purchased used is fairly small ; things like eyepieces for eg. I once brought an eyepiece that absolutely stunk of cigarettes ; it was a 24mm Panoptic. I gave it a good clean and left it outside in its box for a few days and it was fine. I still have the eyepiece today, and its one of my most used and best performing eyepieces. In this hobby, i like to think we are all friends, and take good care of our precious gear, and wouldn't try to sell on faulty goods. Whenever i sell anything that i've owned, whether it be already preowned or purchased new by me, I always say to any perspective buyer "if for whatever reason you don't like it, or you think you no longer want it, then send it me back, and i'll refund you the money". I've never had to do it yet......

I'll be there. Fingers x'ed its not caped : time yet !

Have you been following Nik Szymenek's review of it in Astronomy Now Magazine ? Part 3 is in this months March issue.

A binoviewer and some nice eyepiece pairs to take your observing to the next level.

If it's blurry its probably a case of letting your scopes optics cool for a bit. Its pretty high in the sky at present : about as good as it gets, so atmospherics should be less of a problem.

Venus looked great through my scope on Monday night when i was last observing and Its phase was clear to see. Current phase is just over 60% and decreasing day by day. I always like to follow it as it approaches us in its orbit ; watching the crescent get bigger and narrower as it approaches IC.

Here's mine

I know my 140's rings are ok : i have to rotate them about 20º degrees to fit the scope back in the case. I could remove the handle of course, but after a session in the cold, i usually don't (read frozen hands). Its a good job the focuser rotates as well. Its a bit of a wrestling match and given the cost of the scope, i think the case leaves a bit to be desired. In fact, its rubbish.

Only the latest edition..... https://shop.astronomynow.com/product/an-march-2020/

Frank : did you know Nik Szymanek has done an in-depth review of it in the last 3 editions of 'Astronomy Now' magazine ?

Whats your current scope and kit setup ?

The moon looked spectacular through the scope tonight. It was very high in the sky and little in the way atmospheric turbulence. Amazing detail all across the terminator. Nice image John.