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scarp15

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Everything posted by scarp15

  1. Good to reflect, so to speak; Celestron C8 Celestar Skywatcher 12" Flextube: manual version TV 70mm Pronto TV 76 Orion Optics UK VX14 Dob (still in my dreams) A bunch of binoculars in the 10.5 x 70, 15 x70 range
  2. Not quite that recent, yet the scope (and eyepiece) continue to provide occasional use and will act as a reminder to self; to make the effort to get back to dark sky observing sometime.
  3. Sat in the backyard, gazing up at a crisp night sky (as you do), sipping a cold Robinsons Stockport Golden, is a favourite tipple (or else a Guinness if I cannot got hold of the Robinsons) whilst pausing in-between views. Travelling to a dark sky location, which I haven't done for a while, definitely a largish thermos flask of coffee.
  4. I would expect that the 9mm would perform as impeccably with the same consistent relaxed comfortable eye placement and parfocal alignment as the rest in the line. Personally do not have one, since I mix DeLites up with Delos and dont want to crowd out that particular (medium / high) marginal focal length too much. 9mm is purposeful though, I had a 9mm Nagler T5 for a time, though perhaps as with yourself, simply prefer a relaxed 20mm eye relief, afforded to DeLites and Delos. Edit: T6
  5. The 4mm DeLite is lovely and will complement your 5mm (I use a 4, 5 and 7mm also 18.2mm in this line).
  6. Clear blue sky here to, equally at work, though from home today so can nip outside for a walk and soak up some of those Sun's rays (what a treat).
  7. Being outdoors in the fresh air, encountering the stillness of night-time is calming and soothing and with a clear objective to focus upon studying then observing within the night sky. It is remarkable to the extent that you can visually intimately connect with a celestial object from the comfort of your backyard or a dependable dark sky location.
  8. 'Stargazer' is fine though it implies an impression of romanticism or someone who is a bit dreamy, whereby 'cloud dodger' is perhaps at times a bit more applicable. A few years ago I tried to convey the appeal to a friend though worded badly had his own thoughts, when at the time referred to going to a remote carpark late at at night to meet with others. Thus being termed a stargazer is quite all right.
  9. That's interesting, had overlooked this option. I ordered a sheet of black velour flocking, yet the sheets of Protostar Flocking board certainly would had been preferred.
  10. Good going and yes a headtorch is necessary.
  11. With a mirror clean due and no plans for this Sunday, other than batten down the hatches for the approaching storm, it was an opportunity to undertake a bit more tube flocking. The tube to my 8" reflector I'd previously partially flocked and from past experience fully flocking a 14" solid tube reflector, knew that good planning and patience would be a necessary virtue for this task. Perhaps it is the internal textured tube paint applied to OOUK tubes, but adhering firmly in place (in a narrow space) the material can in itself become a little frustrating and flop off., with bits of flaky paint then losing its stickiness. Also sometimes precision cutting, measuring can be a bit botched, leading to some wastage. However practice makes perfect and some of it at least was intact, making a very noticeable difference to the interior contrast. When out observing, flocking can make a marked difference I think, but applying it does require time, patience and possibly a bit of wastage in the process. Here is a picture following the mirrors being reinstalled, you can just make out a streaky light bit in the middle that has not yet been done. Footnote: the paddling pool was a bit overkill; had more applicably been used with a former much larger 14" mirror for which was ideal, so thought why not. Who else is about to, or has recently undertaken this task and if so, how did you find the procedure?
  12. Think that I would be pretty horrified if I saw cobwebs (Dobwebs) inside the tube of mine (though occurred with my former 14" once when the primary dust cap had dropped off). I do try to keep the dust caps tightly in place, yet is due a clean since a few annoying specs have formed / blown in onto the primary. There is no such place as a spider free zone of course, yet mine is kept in the corner of a relatively warm clean back room. Would employ using an air blower or vacuum cleaner suction hose maybe, if lodged onto a mirror surface, an artists soft sable brush used lightly might shift it.
  13. Definitely looks the part Stu and for this brief touch of winter sat or stood alongside the telescope. Reckon that you could blend in any nocturnal wildlife encountered.
  14. 'Early doors' on Jupiter culminating south and the GRS still visible. Barge activity within NEB, STB nicely etched. VX8L, 6MM Delos. In for tea at 18.15, then out for some Lunar.
  15. Had a 12" Skywatcher Flextube the manual version, which was, at a dark sky site, very impactful, following on from being accustomed to using an 8" SCT. It was by its nature, when collapsed quite portable, though I would not had wished for the 14" version, as was still a bit hefty. It was OK to store it within an upstairs bedroom, thus up and down the stairs was just about fine, due to its more compact profile. However the base was bulky, quite heavy and I remade a part in seasoned ply. A consideration though. Then I had a 14" OOUK (VX14) with the dob base. A solid tube that was manageable and I had often taken it to dark sky sites. A VX12 would be quite reasonable to manoeuvre. The OOUK dob bases are excellent. Alternatively consider a truss design perhaps.
  16. Nice presentation of Jupiter presently and most striking is the very close alignment between Europa ad Ganymede. Using the 8" F6 dob and 7mm DeLite.
  17. Delos and DeLite are parfocal, complementary in design and 20mm eye relief. The incremental focal length range of DeLite at mid to high power interacts with Delos. Whilst proportionally differing, between the two models; total field of view does not feel particularly compromised and I enjoy seeing the field stop. Currently my Delos / DeLite line-up comprises; 18.2mm DeLite, 10mm Delos, 7mm DeLite, 6mm Delos, 5mm DeLite, 4mm DeLite, 3,5mm Delos. Largely used for backyard observing, therefore excellent for planetary, lunar, brighter DSO's, binaries, do not have a specific favourite though the 10mm Delos receives perhaps the most use. Definitely no softness or coffee tone, just outstanding, comfortably aligned views.
  18. Never personally encountered this issue having owned both an OOUK 14" F4.6 on their dobsonian base and continue to use an 8" F6 dob set up. The tube, trunnion blocks securely balance align and brace the tube. The tube is light, yet the mirrors are also light, particularly compared to alternatives. Nor had any issues with the mirror cell springs. These are the VX range, cannot comment on earlier models. In fact I would check the collimation on the VX14 prior to loading in the car for a dark sky trip as often dark upon arrival, yet collimation held just fine.
  19. As above by Olly, Unihedron SQM-L, will dependably provide a reading at the 40 degree point of sky you are observing in; measuring the level of sky background illumination. Provides an ambient temperature reading to. Used correctly (pointed at zenith with outstretched arm), a frequency of readings, will accurately determine an average observational magnitude over a particular time period.
  20. Not a Tak owner but I do use a Vixen Porta II mount on a Berlebach tripod, their tripod range has an attachment option for the Porta II. Concerning the Berlebach, it is also worth while getting the tray and I think something like the Uni 18 is oft recommended as applicable for your set up.
  21. A focal length of 1200mm perhaps as you had referred to; 6mm ocular at 200x is generally considered optimum at high power. Yet as mentioned by previous contributors, there are many variables. For example, using my F6 / 1200mm F/L, 8" dob such as when observing the moon in steady seeing conditions, it is quite reasonable to increase magnification beyond 200x and thus create a tighter exit pupil. Whist floaters may become a factor, comfortable eye relief and eye placement, will facilitate relaxed observing. Thus my 3.5mm Delos that yields 343x, at a 0.5mm exit pupil (and 20mm eye relief), is applicable for those infrequent perfect seeing occasions. Therefore the intended subject and seeing conditions determine the ocular focal length / exit pupil.
  22. Ed Ting new video reviewing the revered TV-85 (with a mention to the 18.2mm DeLite).
  23. Currently observing Jupiter as it transits south. Good steady periods of seeing, distinct barge sighted embedded within the NEB and interesting mottled detailing within the Equatorial Zone. Primary eyepiece; 10mm Delos.
  24. Exit Pupil; this has been a hot topic of conversation in its own right, on many threads over the years that I have, at least, been involved with SGL when the Horsehead Nebula has been the particular subject of debate. General consensus is that with a moderate sized aperture telescope; a focal length eyepiece that provides between 4mm - 5mm exit pupil, creates a good balance between required contrast and image scale (coupled to a H-beta filter). A typical favourite amongst deep sky observers has been a Tele Vue 25mm Plossl (referred to as the magic eyepiece or magic exit pupil) and / or Tele Vue 20mm Plossl, providing an optimum exit pupil in many focal length scopes and a narrow TFOV for keeping Alnitak out of view. Of course with a larger aperture dob / scope, under favourable conditions, the magnification can increase (reports of 13mm Ethos being the weapon of choice in i.e. 18" dob) and the horsehead will simply 'pop' (no ifs, no buts). Lets also keep talking about IC 434, I haven't really focused attention on this (too washed out), Mike has referred to it and I know that Gerry to has had success with this within his Canadian wilderness skies and there is much chatter on Cloudy Nights for example. For all committed preparations, our eyesights do differ though. Here is a thread that I'd started when finding my way with other still familiar members on here, from quite a few years ago, when the feverish journey to 'bag' the Horsehead was (for me and others) in its infancy. I do miss aceys contributions. It is ironic that one of the most talked about subjects on here, concerns the most substantial almost nothingness, in traditional observing terms. Night Vision from a suburban back garden is the natural alternative of course if you have £££££ - yet the elusive 'thumbprint' would lose some of its hard earned legendary mystic. Just one final point, once detected and familiarity is gained, I think that it is worth playing around with other eyepieces / exit pupils and scopes of varying aperture perhaps, so long as under the darkest, transparent moonless skies possible.
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