scarp15

H-beta filter(s) ought to work Robert with your 15x70's, which I expect would be around 4.5mm exit pupil. Admittedly a small, wide field refractor in which you can experiment with exit pupil can yield outcomes when a H-beta is applied. At least I have used a 76mm f6.3 refractor to view the California, previously had a 70mm refractor and that would have worked to. Concerning the northern section of Barnard's Loop, I have used my 85mm refractor and applied a 5.8mm exit pupil to cruise along the curvature someway south. This was at a dark sky area along the England Scotland border. As Peter mentions and as you know, the online sky brightness readings are to used as a very broad reference. Areas I tend to go to are meant to be up to 21.85, realistically a very good night, perhaps by early morning is usually measured as 21.3-4, the exception being near the border at Carter Bar, which I anticipate will reach 21.6 - 21.7 mag. You mentioned in your report concerning deer and abruptly coming into view across a road. A good point that probably needs to be more widely shared for anyone venturing into backcountry on dark sky trips. There is a road section close approaching my most often used site, adjacent to forestry, a particular spot on the road is a frequently used trail for roe deer and I take extra care, having encountered quite few passing by.

Very fine mirror upgrades and interesting modification to accommodate this. What will you use to fill in the original focuser hole and all of the small holes?

It could be worth it, if you can devise a good backpack, type of rucksack system for a collapsible 8". Also as you mention, if you have read up on someone who has actually done this. Certainly if you have a fairly quiet, fairly reassuring place to observe from not too far, an 8" dob will satisfyingly resolve open clusters, brighter DSO's from an urban park. I used to have an allotment and over this period established an 'observatory', paved area around the shed. From home I had carried various refractors or binoculars, tripods, a ten minute walk to the shed. By parking nearby, I have carried an 8" dob and previous to that, 8" SCT that required two, about six minute each way journeys. Your circumstance and age, if you did not follow your inclination for an 8" dob then you might regret less aperture. So long as you pace the journey, as it is a commitment requiring of course effort, but as mentioned if you do obtain an efficient carry system and feel committed enough it will be worth it. Oh welcome to the forum by the way.

This is my pitch, as this year for obvious reasons I have set up rather a lot in the backyard. This aspect offers a good southerly view across a high wall, formerly occurred by my dearly departed rabbits, reclaimed for astro.

Often repeated however, an 8" dobsonian with a finder such as mentioned above a rigel Quikfinder, a copy of Turn Left at Orion through Amazon, Stellarium app on your devices. Telescope is just the start unfortunately, a few decent eyepieces will be required and then perhaps a nebulae filter or two. As above again, from home presently clusters in Auriga, the Pleiades, Andromeda are possible. Dark skies make an impressionable improvement on everything, particularly galaxies and nebulae, which are often invisible within urban skies. Therefore when covid restrictions ease, look out to join a regional group i.e. via social media or established society.

Thanks Robert, they live in Lancashire, sisters been keeping an eye on them. Definitely welcome all of your reports, circumstances aren't joined up across the nations, so can be a bit confusing. England's current lockdown before going back to a tier system finishes on the second. Weather related is still a typical factor. Yes HB filter - 2" for Barnard's Loop, even so it's very subtle and of course check up on Mel Bartels sketches.

Yes definitely worth a shot, I think filtered you will be successful. A wide field binocular view and with relaxed two eye observing will present, if you were somewhere like at GlenShee and within good transparency some success. I like your detailed account for tackling the Cocoon, will inspire me to explore it again next year. Barnard's Loop is of course challenging to but not unreasonable applying the same approach; practice, patience and experimenting. Large exit pupil, wide field of view and H-beta filter. Depending on the level of restrictions imposed which yes can be confusing, will be hoping for getting out in December. Haven't even been able to visit my aging parents since March, at least by this time next year, circumstances should be more normal perhaps.

Brilliant, a quite full on report. Great that you got a chance to get out Robert and with the good conditions currently along the east side. Interesting description for elements of aurora early on and for approaching observing the Cocoon. A large exit pupil and if combined with comfortable eye relief, applied to filtered observing is a revelation for revealing clarity within faint diffuse nebulae; within optimum conditions. The SQM is such a useful and informative tool for gaining an accurate account for registering sky brightness at a specific time and place. First account this season I think for the Horsehead and Flame, well I'm Iooking forward to that to. The Horse Head can be so fickle, requiring experimentation when it comes to determine exit pupil and best most 'contrasting' view. Great conditions here to in Newcastle, but with the current lockdown circumstance was reluctant to go anywhere, beyond the backyard again. 2" HB filter will be very useful.

I think that Peter Drew has crafted one.

Interesting session, always good to focus attention upon Auriga. Gaining the mentioned encounters, succeeding your 10" dob session, binoculars ought to highlight the clusters with conviction. Uncertain what you might had seen 1 degree from M38, which chart are you using? As you say you would easily pick up NGC 1907, there is a very faint compact open cluster nearby referenced as Cz-21 in Interstellarum. The comet shaped nebula, you refer to somewhat below The Christmas Tree, will be with some certainty NGC 2261, Hubble's Variable Nebula. I particularly enjoy at this emerging season, observing the combination of M35 and NGC 2158.

Very interesting; this sketch, recently posted images and the recent observers thread. I was actually initially unaware of this phenomena and was able to observe Mars last night for a time but only after 8.00pm, seeing was mediocre, learning later of and reading the thread last night and seeing subsequent sketches, whilst perhaps a bit late for the dust storm, spiced up the observation.

A splendid two evenings Neil, I like the narrative, can just imagine the rabbits - very apt names and can relate to when we had two, your children taking an interest, a lovely mug of tomato soup and oh yes and the stargazing. Very interesting selection of targets accomplished and as I'd mentioned in @Ships and Stars report, Orion is now increasingly present and not as I referred to it as being 'just around the corner'. That asteroid(s) sounds like it was a challenging and engaging subject.

Great, interesting approach and modifications with a plethora of equipement. Patience paid off, last shout perhaps of the summer season targets. Orion is just around the corner, well depending on weather and lock down circumstances for any trips outs.

A TeleVue 5mm DeLite will comply with each of those bullet points.

Here is an article on ecological benefits for part lighting. This should apply to homeowners as well as specifically local authorities, large establishments such as airports, business parks; each great and small has a role to play towards education and improvement of night time ecology. https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/archive/2019/01/streetlighting/

Exactly, common sense lighting, in Newcastle the led street lighting where we live has definitely dimmed, can appreciate the adequate projected beam of light onto the pavement and no more. Some homeowners indulgences have become unnecessary consumer driven extravagances. It is encouraging that the trend for illuminating monuments, historic buildings etc is in some places at least is going into reversal and could in time have some influence upon the stupidity for inappropriate garden lighting, maybe.

I agree with this, seems like some folk desire their outdoor space to become an extension to their indoor dwelling and fill it with unnecessary lighting effects like some kind of grotto. Just ignorance, desensitized to a natural environment no concept for the harm to native wildlife, insects or the health of some of their neighbours. I don't think that us; the amature astronomers are eccentric, we are more informed and intune to the issues of night time ecology and of light intrusion as well as a whole sway of other stupid concerns as mentioned such as artificial grass lawns. Where I live amidst the terraces is OK, I can understand that some suburban garden areas are full of this switch on trend, extension to christmas lighting. I go wild camping occasionally, through cycling touring and such, an appreciable darkness is an absorbing environment, that through dark adaptation such as at this time of year feels natural and is more in touch with our ancestors conditions, though regrettably if they could be transported into today's world some would also go for the B&Q lighting effects to. Can only hope that there increasingly becomes more public awareness that both air pollution and light pollution are each of a significant concerning issue.

Yes I had in the past purchased from Agena Astro, they do have wholesome stock, would be worth tagging on if ordering something more specific as well.

I contacted by email most UK retailers Don and of those I contacted only the Widescreen Centre confirmed that they keep a stock of spare TeleVue caps. I do not think that any retailers even stock alternative replacement caps. These (alternatives) are available through Ebay UK vendors and I did place an order on some that seemed to match what I wanted, yet upon receiving, they were of a poor standard and to be honest I ended up returning them. Bolt cases are also not easily available in the UK either anymore, although again there used to be an ebay vendor that supplied a full range (when I got one for my 31T5). Sometimes the used market, I think astrobin have the odd one (boltcase) but again caps are of a lower quality. I got what I wanted from 'overseas' without problem, but to mention again; full credit to Widescreen Centre for stocking some surplus TeleVue caps, although I did not get as far as asking the cost.

A reference concerning TeleVue eyepiece caps, if you are looking for replacing a lost or damaged one. If you give them a call, the Widescreen Centre do stock them. Not listed on their website, need to ring or email. I had sourced some recently, not through the Widescreen Centre as they had responded to my email following arranging from elsewhere, would be best convenient for UK TV users.

Really good solution, intrigued as to how you made them. I do like the glow in the dark number paint, really useful when swapping and trying to identify between similar focal lengths. Currently just use TeleVue eyepieces, I have had a 'rogue' slightly ill fitted (non TeleVue) cap from a used one, which has had to be rectified. I do like the quality of TeleVue caps though, particularly the newer ones on the DeLite range.

This could become an interesting new development. This couple own other estates in Scotland such as Glen Feshie in the Cairngorms and are undertaking excellent environmental restoration projects and protecting native wildlife. They are strongly directly opposed to the development of Space Port going ahead, which would be close to one of their estates. One to watch! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-54825109

Becoming a rather belated session, Mars was unexpectedly punching through the cloud, requiring the 8" f6 dobsonian to be set up and cooling for a 9.00pm start. Beginning with a 10mm Delos (120x) a defining contrasting profile with plenty of surface features was revealed. Zooming in with a 7mm DeLite (171x), Syrtis Major stood out like a dark thumb. immediately due south, Hellas was quite evident as a patch of pinkish, ochre shading. The long dark shading of Syrtis Minor became clear as did the mottled area of Mare Chronium surrounding the south polar cap. The northern region was presented as a subtle ochre shade, toned down by the thin cloud. I pushed the magnification up to 240x (5mm DeLite) and could go no further, some atmospheric distortion and most likely roof thermals playing a part in the magnification limits. The online Mars Mapper; this resource has provided clarity to features revealed and for what to look out for. Just an ongoing session of backyard Mars encounters, time yet for some more. Here is a picture from a previous not untypical backyard; undercover set-up, waiting for the rain to pass.

I like it, strange how your imagination sees shapes. Just come in from a mainly interesting Lunar session, had I not brought the frac in, I'd now be looking for the 'rabbit'.

If your aim is to take your 10" F5 Dob and 85mm F5 refractor to dark sky locations, a 31mm Nagler or similar is a good complement to your 21mm Ethos.