CraigT82

Have just come across this huge pole to pole image from Mars Express orbiter, thought it too good not to share here. Image info and context here: http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express/From_clouds_to_craters

Wowsers what's the FL on that! Looks like it's going to be seriously neat and ultralight style

Yes... to my eye that looks better! 👍

Very nice! My favourite is the mare nectares image. The ripples and creases in the mare remind me of wisps of nebula. Are these single panes or mosaics?

Oh dear... not good

I've often looked at this focuser, probably what I'll go for when I upgrade the revelation astro crayford on my newt. I have the single speed, non-monorail version and it's very well made and lovely to use. https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p3700_TS-Optics-MONORAIL-2--Newtonian-focuser-with-Micro-Transmission.html

Remember you need to factor in the cost of the base for the moonlite, around £50 if I remember correctly.

Yeah not bad, definitely a bit more colour but I think the rings may have suffered a little? Have you tried processing the globe and rings separately? I had real trouble getting decent colour in mine captured on the 18th (using 290mono and rgb), really had to push the hue/saturation to get it looking yellow, which ruined it overall and ended up not bothering even posting it! Its really hard when the planets are so low, but I think the good thing about persevering when others might have given up is that we get the chance to really learn and develop the collection and processing methods, and really get the best out of the data we've got so that when they finally rise up higher we will be able to produce the most stunning images with everything we've learned... or something like that anyway!

Impressive tracking! Lots of detail visible in the still moments

I never usually consider getting out imaging even the moon is nearly full but your image show it I'd most definitely worth it!

It is nice and sharp though, the rings are nice and natural looking without any of the ring artifacts that usually appear when trying to get too much out of it. I've never been considered anything else other than AS3 and registax for processing so will check out Astra image.

Very nice! Doesnt seem to be much in the way of colour though?

Looks like RVO has it with clamps and tripod at £999.

One method for the uranus and Neptune is just to capture a ton of IR only and false colourise it. There is very little detail in RGB for these targets.

M6x1.25 I think, it's an odd size and difficult to come by as most m6 bolts have 1.00 thread pitch Edit: sorry wrong holes!

Nice image... some definite banding on the globe and even a greenish splodge at the north pole!

Beautiful! Dont often see the Encke gap like that. Looks like a string of small storms just inside the darker zone on the right (lower image). D

Nice work! some crisp details there on the globe and rings. Is this at native FL to fit the moons on the chip?

😂

I've never bought in to the one-scope-for-all approach... Rather I dream about my one-setup-for all, which would involve a Mesu 200 Enhanced with a dual scope load: A 10" F20 planetary cassegrain on one side and something like a TEC160 on the other. I wouldn't underestimate the faff of switching the hyperstar kit in and out when you want to switch between visual and imaging.

Lovely! Have just sold an SXW with starbook which was a superbly portable yet capable mount, this sx2 shoul be great to use. Just FYI if you need a tripod tray it's exactly the same as the SW az4 alloy legged tray, which pop up on astroboot now and then

Have just been wondering this myself. TV produce a chart that shows the 2x barlow produces 3x mag with and extra 6.5cm of extension. If the 3x barlow is 6.5cm longer than the 2x then I'd say that the barlow lens element itself is the same one in both.

Recieved my 3rd place prize mug yesterday... I love it! My wife has put it up on a shelf next to her work award Thanks @FLO

With a budget of £150 I would look no further than the skywatcher heritage 130p. Great little scope!

Rother Valley Optics, near Sheffield. Great place to have a look around some of the options youte considering.