scarp15

I quite agree.

This is my effort free grab and go, lifts as one unit.

On a small, humbling scale, set in a great location, impromptu tour around Kielder Observatory.

Done all of mine; shiny bits around spider vanes and other areas, including scratches with Krylon ultra flat non reflective paint. Dries in less than 15 min, suitable for metal, comes in a spray can, which can be squirted into the cap and then painted on. 

Like others on here, I like to take pictures of my set up within places it gets used and share them on the forum. I like to look at members contributions on wide field and deep sky, lunar, planetary images and I like to look at sketches, requiring no need or desire to pursue imaging. I retain an interest upon reading others written reports, which can often conjure up an impression within your minds eye, just like reading a good book can. As others have commented, with the exception of occasional lunar, I haven't participated much in visual astronomy for quite some time, expect the vibe will come back in good time.

Potentially another option with full facilities could be Herding Hill Farm, which is situated close to Hadrians Wall above Haltwhistle. From there it would not be unreasonable to have a day trip to the Northumberland coast, amongst other local and more immediate interests. 

Stargazing in Northumberland - Herding Hill Farm.html

1 hour ago, John said:

This time last year (to the day) we had this to keep our attention

Crikey, was it really that long ago. Actually yes, in my diary; Comet Neowise Sun 19 July Battle Hill 'immediately impactful, becoming increasingly spectacular'. 

I was in Cambridge a couple of weeks back, not much room in the car as my daughter was the reason for going down there, starting a placement at Addenbrooke's. Decided against binoculars, refractor, instead took my bicycle, (on a rack), also a good decision and I got to meet up with Piero and see his beautiful 16" dob build. Yes better weather I believe to come.

Worth noting to that Delos and DeLite eyepieces are conveniently parfocal, no faffing with refocusing. It could be that the extent of locking tension, applied amongst users might vary a little and that maybe on a damp night, moisture could form on the sliding part. Perhaps Delos might be a little more manageable at applying tensioning pressure, due to the chunkier barrel for gripping when twisting.  

1 hour ago, Surfer Chris said:

Seems to be a little variability in opinion - maybe different materials used on the compression rings for different batches or a change of material on newer EP's?

The Delite does seem to have very easy eye placement, slightly easier and more relaxed than the Morpheus. Morpheus obviously good for the wider FOV though. I think I will still look to order a 5mm Delite soon, so will be interesting to see how that compares mechanically to my 4mm Delite.

Definitely, I use both 4mm and 5mm DeLite, along with 7mm and 18.2mm. It is complementary to the 4mm and 7mm.  The 62 degree field of view is enhanced with comfortably seeing the field stop. 

Yes sometimes replacing the caps in-between use there is slippage, yet personally this does not bother me at all because when that eyepiece is required again, a simple twist action adjustment and you very quickly regain that comfortable eye placement, in which Delos and DeLite eyepieces are renowned for lovely enhanced relaxed observing. I agree with the comments above that the lower cap can be a bit tight (perhaps until worn in), although I like this as less likely to drop off and lose and ensures no moisture etc gets trapped in. Holding steady either the upper or lower eyepiece body helps a bit when replacing the cap. When the eyepieces are ready to be stored away, I always retract the barrel before going back in the eyepiece case.

It could yet, as mentioned, just be a 'floater' Neil. I had a similar circumstance with my 4mm DeLite, black spec whilst Lunar observing, think I mentioned it on the forum to. Irksome enough that I arranged to send it back to Telescope House, as it had been purchased new. They did a thorough inspection, used a powerful air bower in case of a spec of pollen and could find no fault. Therefore just a peculiar quirk to that particular e.p related to the exit pupil on a bright subject and perhaps exacerbated by circumstances of my vision. If you do consider that there is something trapped in-between lens, then perhaps you could try contacting Telescope House. I think that they used to or maybe still do provide a cleaning service, at least certainly for SCT's, as far as I recall.

Fatigue, might be the only thing really to be prepared for, if you have ventured to a dark site and are likely driving home straight afterwards. 

On 08/06/2021 at 15:30, Maideneer said:

I've had run-ins or near run-ins with both lately.  And thanks, I wasn't specifically referring to guns but more of anything else really...mace / pepper spray, a hunting knife, etc etc

From the sounds of it, many are saying wild animals are not a UK problem, is that really true?  I presumed most of every country has issues with whatever is local to them.  I know around my area, coyotes are sometimes a problem, there have been reports of stray bears roaming around, definitely lots of deer, and who knows what else.

I do appreciate the other advice though about joining a club and going in packs, that's a good idea.  My problem is I am a bit of an introvert and suffer from some social anxiety, so sometimes I have trouble being with other people and I figured astronomy was a good hobby for loner types like myself.

Joining a club could be good idea in your circumstance and an astronomy club can be like no other. Firstly, thinking back to when I was a member of a club and met at a dark site, 'voice recognition' comes into play. Not just because it is naturally dark, but everyone is usually layered up, typically in dark clothing, hats balaclavas etc. Any social anxiety will be overcome, because you will be too preoccupied, engaged in hopefully stargazing and cloud dodging with your colleagues.  You learn a a lot and will become comfortable and at ease with your nocturnal circumstance. Then you may want to pursue going out alone.   

Personally I enjoy solo dark sky trips and become too preoccupied to be concerned about anything else. As soon as you become dark adapted, you transform into one of the 'creatures of the night' anyhow. 

That brexit lorry park is a monstrosity and I agree with the last two posters, escalates the habitual harm imposed on all nocturnal wildlife as well as the mental health of people living in its vicinity.

19 hours ago, Och_Aye said:

 

I'm thinking a 12" flex tube dob is the best combination of cost, aperture, portability & storage based on an overall budget of £3k.  The ES option seems to be better for my needs than what SW offer.  

Hi, I cannot comment on the ES option, yet a 12" manual flex dob is a good practical contender for your intended use. The focuser may need an upgrade, as is popular with users, to a MoonLite CR1 or 2 and a few smaller mods required, but this is a good all rounder and very good at deep sky subjects from a dark site. Which ever dobsonian you choose, include a shroud and consider some rolls of flocking material to black out part of the inside of the tube. Factoring in ultra wide low power eyepieces definitely, the used markets are worth keeping an eye on, i.e. Panoptics, Naglers and if budget is OK, Ethos as well as the many other good branded alternatives. A collimation tool is straight forward. Dim red light and a good quality filter i.e. O-III for the arrival of Cygnus. Also a good adjustable observers chair. As John mentioned, no to a 90 degree diagonal, a chair on a low setting may help when positioned at low elevation and conversely, the 'dob hole' (at zenith) is a little bit disorientating,  yet not unsurpassable, just need to get tactile and a little dob hugging gets you there. Another alternative is a used Orion Optics UK 12" solid tube, in which the ota can be adjusted inside the tube rings to align the focuser for a more comfortable viewing position, as well as aiding with balance.

I am reviving this old thread, partially to remind myself as to how I approached this subject. The Ghost of Cassiopeia, along with the Horse Head Nebula, are two specific targets that I purchased an 18mm DeLite for. My former 20mm Tele Vue Plossl had yielded favourable views of the later. Just a forward plan for the autumn really (feels like we are already there weather wise), as last autumn was a complete non starter. 

Light weight and simple, requiring a walk in, close to Scottish Border in Northumberland, another trip is on the cards.

5 hours ago, bomberbaz said:

Just wondered what opinion is on the extra distance versus improved darkness. Is 15 km of crow fly distance really going to make that much difference!

It might and yes it would be worth it, particularly as you have invested in a SQM-L device, to make a comparison with else where. Of course the weather forecast could imply one thing and the reality for very good transparency at the spot, could well be something else. It is still in my opinion worth the extra 15 min though, even if just to fulfill a curiosity and who knows, could even become a regular (well as regular as dark sky trips go). 

Great report and unless in your location you can make something of the May dark sky period, a good conclusion to the season. I think as Gerry has mentioned, perhaps if you could pick up something like a Delos 8mm, the transmission gain, could be good to contrast with any subtle enhancement compared with your current eyepiece at a similar focal length on these testing subjects. 

learning to undertake a collimation procedure regarding a reflector, I think assists to get to understand the optical light path alignment a bit better and appreciate the instrument you are using. On most occasions it is just a slight routine chore, not unlike if you were to go out cycling, you would check your tyre inflation, brake cable tensioning etc. I think that there is certainly plenty to be learned concerning gaining accurate collimation. I use a simple Rigel collimation cap and may combine a Cheshire eyepiece, investment in other tools would perhaps gain yet more accuracy. 

At the tail end of lockdown, I did succumb to purchase a 3.5mm Delos off Ebay, worked brilliantly on past few evenings on the moon.

Great session and haul of targets. Good support and motivation from your son.

Had a lot of family holidays via Skye onwards to the Isle of Raasay in the 70's. Quite a culture shock as kids coming from Blackpool, the first year we went, the Island had only got hooked up onto the national grid a few months earlier. Me and my brother were only interested in the fishing, which was excellent.

Yes I know, Aristarchus was tantalizingly illuminated last night, but the Schroter's Valley just out of reach. Another clear sky, this time no thin cloud, dob out again for later. 

Perhaps keep a look out for a used 8" F6 OOUK - VX8L dob. The tube is light weight and the whole unit is quite manageable. Very capable performer under a dark sky. 

45 minutes ago, bomberbaz said:

overhead the sky is lovely and dark, the SQP reading is 20.8 so quite reasonable. However as I looked to the offending south it lights up to dark adapted eye and almost looks like dawn is approaching. 

I haven't given up on it and will try again from a different site or the same site at a different time of the night.

That would be the right approach, to consider looking into exploring and comparing meter readings at alternate locations. It does become quite compelling actually and the site you had recently used still has a lot to offer by your account of the session.