Came across this review.

https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/0bb5a1_4642ec75dc4444028b7c4deefb13702e.pdf

Or if ypu really want to be different. Should be easy to shorten. 😁

https://ensoptical.co.uk/index.php?_route_=berlebach-handle&search=Handle

Telescope Express does one with a 175mm hole spacing.

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p10280_TS-Optics-Tube-Handle-and-Carrying-Handle-for-your-Telescope.html

Altair do a 180mm one.

https://www.altairastro.com/altair-telescope-carry-handle.html

Lots of handles though at WDS from reasonably priced to silly prices.  Years ago I discovered WDS as a source for handles and posted on SGL about them. Seems to have caught on. 😁

Yes laptop screens and bright sunlight don’t go togeter very well. ☀️

Scope outside and laptop inside out of the sun. 🙂

Having owned a Lunt 60 I think the Lunt is better for visual but the Daystar is more imaging oriented. 

This is the Thingverse file to use to print the finder dovetail. Just increase the height and length to 200% when printing.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:972117/files

Yes shouldn’t need much movement to focus. I’ll be using the Hitec V2 DC Focus unit to control it. BTW Hitec is about to release a proper 64 bit driver which will make things easier for those using 64 bit capture software.

Not hard to motorise the focuser. Tricky bit was working out exacty what pulley and belts were needed. Access to a 3D printer helps as well.

The weather has been diabolical since the scope arrived. Cloudy if I’m at home and the sun only comes out when I’m not at home. Hopefully the motorised focuser will help a lot. 🤞🏻

New scope and seemingly constant clouds since it’s been released has been the problem. Finaly got mine set up the way I wanted and ready to try some imaging and the SolarQuest mount stopped working. Returned to FLO and turned out to be just a loose plug inside. Due back this aft.

There’s a reason I put that name on the scope. 😁

Lot of usefull info on the Cloudy Nights forum on the subject but basicly the longer the focal length the bigger the pixel size so the 290 pixel size is closer to the ideal than the 178. The 290 is more sensitive and has less read noise, and the smaller sensor is going to see less of the aberrations caused by focal reducers  Also the 178 doesn’t do binning. The 178 is ideal in a short focal length refractor though and would be a good choice if you are going to use it in other scopes.

I will also be using the 290 in a long focal length mak so that was another reason for choosing it.

Anyway  will have the SolarQuest mount back tomorrow. Turned out to be simplya wire that had come loose inside.

Found some pics and info on the Skywatcher Italy website.

Some technical features: 35 Kg load capacity, belt drive, SynScan GoTo computerization, Autoguide input, 1 USB-B 3.0 port, 1 USB-B 2.0, 4 USB 3.0, 6 AUX ports en ° 4 power outputs.

Altair Astro is saying it has 2 USB 2.0 ports although sure I can see 3 ports.

https://www.altairastro.com/Skywatcher-CQ350-PRO-SynScan-GOTO-Equatorial-Mount.html

Interesting story on the recent discovery that our galaxy isn’t flat after all.

https://www.space.com/milky-way-3d-map-warped-shape.html

3 hours ago, Mandy D said:

I've just bought a Daystar Solar Scout 60mm DS for H-alpha imaging of the Sun. I am now looking for a suitable camera to use with it. I know I could use my DSLR, but for H-alpha that is not going to give best results, so am looking for a dedicated monochrome imaging camera. I have identified the ZWO ASI178MM as a possibility that fits my budget and has a large enough (I think) sensor to image the entire Solar disc if I use a 0.5 focal reducer which will give me a total focal length of 465 mm.

Does anyone have any experience of this camera in this application, or know if it will be suitable? I know it does not have an IR blocking filter, which I understand is an advantage for H-alpha. The spec is available here:

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/zwo-asi178mm-usb-30-monochrome-cmos-camera.html

Thanks

Mandy

 

I’ve just bought a ZWO AS1290MM for use with my Daystar Scout. Considered the 178 but after some research found the 290 would be more suitable as the Scout is effectively an f15.5. The 178 is good with shorter focal lengths but the 290 is a better match with long focal lengths. 

Waiting for my SolarQuest mount to come back from FLO so I can try it out. Looks like a bad power switch.

Bunch of lunatics 😁

Found this on moon names.

”November’s moon is the Beaver Moon. There is the Harvest Moon, which many people place in fall, but then there are Moons for specific harvests: Corn Moon, Barley Moon, Hay Moon, Grain Moon, Fruit Moon, Nut Moon, Blackberry Moon, Strawberry Moon. There are moons for killing: Buck Moon, Hunter’s Moon, Hare Moon, Sturgeon Moon. There are Moons for growing things: Pink Moon (when the first spring flowers appear), Egg Moon, Budding Moon. There are Moons for harder times: Little Famine Moon, Big Famine Moon, Hungry Moon, Bony Moon, Dying Moon.

There is a regular old Blood Moon, and then there is the special Blood Moon of the lunar eclipse, which glows red. There is the well-known Blue Moon, the second full moon in the same calendar month, but there is also a Black Moon, a month’s second new moon.”

Surprised to find there’s a moon named after a Scottish politician though. 😂

Why does this thread put me in mind of a bit of CCR? 🤔

Why not set up your scope in the closet. View will be similar. 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

I looked for an EQ5 bolt recently and just could not find one anywhere.

An EQ5 uses regular M10 threaded not UNC.  If using threaded rod you would need to drill out the top plate on the tripod to a slightly larger size so the rod pases through freely and put a nut on the top to stop the rod from dropping out or file down a section of the rod as shown in this photo. Then get a couple of threaded M10 knobs.Then you need a way to tighten the rod. You could drill through the upper knob and pin it.

This is an EQ6 bolt but the EQ5 is similar.The EQ6 is M12.

I could post a pic of todays rain action. ☔️

Nice images though. 👍🏻

Or..........

We haven't got a clue. 🤭

Unfortunately not able to read it.

The Vixens are good eyepieces but if you don’t want to spend as much the Ascension plossls are not half bad and are certainly usable.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ascension-Super-Plossl-Eyepiece-20mm-FMC-UK/322899831103?epid=9010229777&hash=item4b2e54693f:g:zIMAAOSwhpZaFs45

Or you could use these to hide scratches and dents. You can select the size so can get them quite small if you wish. Not sure abput the postage though.

https://www.carstickers.com/products/stickers/band-aid-bandage-car-stickers-decals/