DirkSteele

Sky and Telescope published an article about how rare eclipses of the sun are (spoiler, they are not with an average of 2.38 per year for the 2000 year period 1001 AD to 3000 AD - this covers partial, total, annular and hybrid). However, each one covers less than 1% of the Earth’s surface and there is normally more than 300 years between eclipses passing over the same point which makes them seem rare. What is unusual or perhaps rare, in terms of eclipses is the apparent diameter of the moon and sun being the same to permit total eclipses and observation of the corona. https://skyandtelescope.org/2024-total-solar-eclipse/how-rare-is-a-solar-eclipse/

Superb!

I cannot provide a quantitative method to determine the benefit, only anecdotal experience. I have taken my 2.4”, 3” and 4” scopes to Bortle 1 and 2 skies around the world and under the best skies(which I call Bortle 1+) I have seen my 4” out perform my 11” in suburban UK Bortle 6/7 type skies). The impact can be quite startling.

Carrying some of my scopes is my gym membership!

Ha. Ask me the last time I used my LZOS 180mm triplet. Including the tripod, mount, and counterweights it tips the scales at over 70kg.... Clue - it is measured in years.

Look fporward to reports on its performance. I have been considering one.

Amazing capture. Brings back memories of 1994 when we were all watching Jupiter. Wish I had the scopes I have now back then.

I can get 6.2 degrees with my 35mm Panoptic with my Tak FS-60 (5.8 deg with my 21mm Ethos). With my APM LZOS 105 f6.2 I can get 3.4 and 3.2 degrees with the same two eyepieces but could exceed 4 if I bought a 41mm Panoptic. Sadly, I do not have photos with the scopes using either eyepiece.

She just called a waxing gibbous moon a mummy moon. I think I see where this is going… I know I have been a bit greedy recently, but ouch….

Just been shopping and I picked this up for my 2 and half year old daughter. I might be trying to bring her into the Astronomy community! But in my defence she was asking about the moon at 18 months old and she now refers to a waxing crescent as a baby moon. Fingers crossed I have an observing buddy in a few years. She does have some rather good glass to look through. 😄

It is by far those best Messier globular. I have been fortunate to observe it from the Southern Hemisphere many times and it is only beaten out by 47 Tucanae (my absolute fav) and Omega Centauri on the globular podium.

Bob King just published an article about Comet Nishimura on S&T and highlighted the swan filter aided with visibility. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/new-comet-nishimura-may-become-naked-eye-bright/?utm_source=cc&utm_medium=newsletter

Does the disappearing include the ‘smoke trail’ as well? I would expect that element to be persistent even if the body had burnt up and the flashes stopped. I would certainly expect flashes with the smoke as bits break off and burn up.

Back in early 2022, a powerful geomagnetic storm caused 38 Starlink satellites to de-orbit and burn up in the atmosphere. We have certainly experienced a fair share of storms this year. Perhaps you witnessed a similar occurrence. Anyone aware of any satellites being lost recently? Image of the starlink Sats burning up.

Certainly when I was studying I did. Photometry of T-Tauri stars was my astrophysics masters project. But now I like to just admire the beauty of the universe. Which for me at least, is further enhanced by having a deeper understanding of what I am looking at and what physical processes have resulted in what I am seeing. Perhaps one day I might do something more serious Again, but I would want a permanent observatory to do that.

Just downloaded it. Made me smile. Glad I am a visual only guy though!

Bortle 4 and a 6” scope? A tremendous amount. Start with the showpieces so many of the messier and Caldwell objects but the sky really is the limit. As your skill improves, so will your ability to see faint detail so make sure to revisit old favourites.

Ha, thought it looked familiar

That is probably the right call. Think about and perhaps save for one of the Tak 100mm scopes. But I will leave you with an image of the FC-76. This is in a Think Tank Photo Airport Essentials backpack which complied with the most stringent carry-on I have found. Even helicopters in the middle of Africa. And when it can do that, you get stargaze under skies like this (Mozambique).

Honestly, I would go for the Fc-76 DCU. At this aperture, every mm counts and 60mm is very small and the DCU splits in two so just as portable. But there is no doubt the FS-60 is a great little scope and the Q module makes it even more so. http://alpha-lyrae.co.uk/2016/04/03/takahashi-fs-60-review/ http://alpha-lyrae.co.uk/2018/03/31/takahashi-fs-60q-review/ http://alpha-lyrae.co.uk/2017/03/12/takahashi-fc-76-dcu-review/

I remember a time not that long ago where that was still somewhat unique and would often get called out - “oh, satellite just flew through the field.” Now it is all the time. I really see this when I do out reach. It’s a new experience for most and I lose count of how many times I hear it during a session.

A couple of times but in really bad conditions. The air was dense with moisture and it was visible in a torch light. Eyepieces are more vulnerable and have lost many to dew over the years. heated strips are available for both.

Always felt bad for Prof Colin Pillinger. He took a lot of flak when Beagle 2 was “lost” but sadly died before it was found to have landed safely on Mars.

Makes me want to purchase a pair even more now and I was pretty tempted already. Keep them coming!