Mark S W

SkyWatcher 305mm/1500mm(12") Focal length Magnification Focal Extender AFOV Field Stop TFOV Exit pupil 1500 2 Clestron Omni Plossl 32 47 94 44 52 1.99 6.53 Meade 25 60 120 50 0 0.00 5.10 Orion Expanse 20 75 150 66 23.5 0.90 4.08 Explore Scientific 16 94 188 68 18.2 0.70 3.27 Orion Expanse 9 167 333 66 15 0.58 1.84 Orion Expanse 6 250 500 66 8 0.31 1.22 This is what I currently observe with. I would like to replace the Clestron and the Meade. And fill the gap between the 16 and 6

Thank you for the input. It was suggested the ES 52º would be a good choice simply because the power is not overwhelming . Once again Thanks

What mid range eyepiece has a narrow field and high contrast that is good for Galaxies and Planetary nebula? My scope is a 305mm (12") with a focal length of 1500mm and focal ratio 4.9. Thinking 5 to 10 mm. Thank you

Hello, I was wondering if any one has modified the 12" Skywatcher base to lighten it up? If any one has drawings I sure would be interested in seeing them. I was thinking along the lines of Baltic Birch plywood or maybe Oak or Cherry. Do you think one could just trace the heavy base and cut it out? All in all it should be just as strong should it not, maybe add some additional cutouts to reduce weight a little more? I have been a woodworker for 25 plus years so that part is easy the hard part is design for me.Sorry for the rambling. Thank you in advance, Mark

Not Sure where the poster is at but I am guessing over seas. Teeters Telescopes are great but the shipping would be outrages

I have a 12" (305mm) Collapsible Skywatcher not the GOTO. " The complete 12” Sky-Watcher optical tube assembly – secondary mirror cage, truss tubes, and primary mirror tub – weighs only 46.2 pounds (21 kg). The altazimuth rocker box base it sits in weighs only 40.7 pounds (18.5 kg). Total weight is only 86.9 pounds, light for a full-sized 12” telescope."Optical Tube Dimensions: The telescoping 12" optical tube measures 15.75" (400mm) in diameter, 55" (1397mm) long when extended, but a much more compact 36" (914mm) in length when retracted. The eyepiece is approximately 55.5" above ground level when the optical tube is pointed at the zenith. I move mine on a two wheel dolly from the back bedroom through the house down two stairs and on the patio total distance about 60 feet. I am NOT a young guy any more but my Goldilocks' and I get along just great. As for what I observe Galaxies great detail Planetary Nebulae wonderful and Globular Clusters you have never seen so many stars so tightly packed. Keep in mind you truly will be observing FAINT FUZZIES Hope this helps Mark

Mariosi and Stu thanks for the reply I did not include M 110 but it is visible in the same field. This is the orientation I had. I am thinking now what I saw must have been one of many clusters that I could not resolve. Thank you for the help.

Hi This morning I was observing M 31 for quite some time. I started to see clusters?? star clouds?? or maybe even M32?? I looked at a drawing of M31 and I think it might be NGC 206 and M 32. The object towards the middle I believe to be M 32 while the other NGC 206. Or just a couple of stars. My apologizes that it is not very clear. Any insight is greatly appreciated. Thank you Mark

Hi Corkey You might find this helpful http://info-quest.org/documents/PDF/BrightPlanetaryNebulae.pdf The brightest planetary nebulae (white) 2nd ed.pdf Hope I copied that correctly Mark

Wonderful report and fantastic what you can see in a 12". Such detail to be viewed as you wrote. I too am a fan of Stephen James O'Meara.

Andy rings Fantastic read not just for new observers but everyone can be reminded of the first sight of Saturn's rings and the first faint fuzzy. Thank you Mark

M57 is fantastic to observe as are your sketches Thank you Mark

Nick As you said "I had a lovely simple night, just basic" best kind of night relaxed. Thank you for the wonderful report Mark

Great report and sketches as well Keep looking up

Welcome There is a lot of knowledge on Stargazers Lounge. Mark