kerrylewis

Had to break off for dinner or I would lose even more brownie points So if cooling is such an issue then checking things with an artificial star in the summer daytime seems to be a complete non-starter. Before I do anything else it seems clear that I have to try another night's viewing after following the suggested cool down protocol - don't leave the scope out during the day; take the cap off and leave for a while and perhaps use a fan? Thanks Garry - I'm learning more about these Mewlons every day!

That’s very interesting Garry. Obviously I’d rather not mess about with the collimation If it’s not necessary. Now if I had a bigger fridge... I will do as you suggest and not leave it out during the day and see how we go. Thanks

Most of the day - but the weather has been warm of course . But then it was a few hours into the evening before I tried it. If they are that sensitive to temperature then perhaps I’m making the wrong diagnosis

Hello Garry The scope had been out for a while but lack of cooling shouldn’t cause the effects of non collimation should it? Given all I’ve read I was surprised too but to me if an out of focus star shows an asymmetrical image it means the scope needs collimating

I’ve I’ve long coveted a Takahashi Mewlon for a number of reasons: having owned one Tak I am impressed with the quality and performance, and having read lots of reviews the performance of the 210 seemed to be just what I wanted - more aperture than the 100DL but still light enough for my Ioptron mount. I also liked the slightly quirky look of them . So now I have a Mewlon 210 courtesy of the SGL classifieds but it’s been a slightly stop/go start. The scope didn’t have a dovetail but one was easily obtainable from FLO but with no fixing bolts. The manual and all the retail information said that two M6 bolts were needed - not so, the two fixing holes are in fact different sizes; M6 and M5 as it turned out and isn’t it always the case that however many bolts and washers and things you accumulate you never have the right ones? However I eventually got the two bolts of the right size and length (short) and the scope was mounted. It’s in great condition by the way - not a mark. All I needed now was clear skies and an hour away from comet Neowise. This eventually happened but the views were disappointing. It was immediately obvious the scope was out of collimation -presumably due to being shipped. Stars showed that characteristic comet-like appearance and when defocussed the central doughnut hole was clearly displaced. In all the comments that I had read concerning the Mewlon design everyone was agreed that collimation could be really problematic but once achieved it would stick. I tried the daytime collimation method recommended on a couple of forums. This involved looking down the tube and seeing if the reflections of the spider vanes and the vanes themselves line up. They do appear to line up so I am assuming that any adjustment required is fairly small and this is again backed up by the various reports that I’ve read. So now I’ve got a cheap artificial star (FLO again) and the next step is to try that. The three screws to adjust the secondary do seem very tight but should be easier to tackle in the daytime. Bob’s Knobs are available but a few sites do not recommend them for the Mewlon - at least one in very strong terms so I’ll try the existing ones. I’m not sure if I can achieve the necessary distance in my garden that is needed to use the artificial star but there’s only one way to find out! Even with less than perfect collimation the views of some old favourites at lower magnification, like the Double Cluster, showed the promise of the scope. So here goes... Meanwhile if anyone has experience of collimating this scope I would be glad to see any comments or suggestions. I’m not sure that I have the distance in my garden that is needed to use the artificial star but there’s only one way to find out! Meanwhile if anyone has experience of collimating this scope I would be glad to see any comments or suggestions.

It’s been a welcome treat and a privilege to observe this comet. As a comet lover I don’t mind the faint fuzz balls ( Can I see a tail? Maybe?) but I longed for a ‘proper’ one. I was beginning to think, however, that there wouldn’t be one as various forecasts (’naked eye in the coming months’) fizzled out. Then along came Neowise which only now is beginning its ‘dignified‘ fade - great word @John . I shall follow it as it continues on its journey and remember fondly the ‘goose-bump’ view through binoculars.

Love that photograph - would make a cracking poster

Quick pastel sketch of the Comet Neowise through Canon 18 x 50 binoculars

Simply beautiful. I really couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Got up before 2.00 in the hope of catching it against a darker sky than the other day. After some clambering around the garden I scanned the horizon above distant trees and realised that I could actually see the tail above the trees while the head was still hidden. After years of waiting for a comet that actually looked like a comet with real tail here I was seeing just the tail! After a while the bright head also cleared the trees to give a stunning sight through the Canon binoculars. Also no argument now whether it was naked eye or not as it hovered about the trees. A picture book sight through the binoculars- a long arcing and graceful tail curving upwards and so bright near the head. It almost gave the impression of being on fire. I didn’t try to take photos, just drank in the view. A sight of a lifetime. Dragged myself away as the sky lightened and took away a little of the tail’s beauty

Me too unfortunately . If forecasts are correct Saturday morning is the next opportunity

PM sent

Welcome back Shane - I did wonder where you were. I hope you are well now. Neowise is certainly worth returning for . I took an enforced break too (don’t ask!) but it’s good to get back refreshed, although I did notice that A few erstwhile regulars were missing.

I love my Televue Nagler zoom 3-6mm. Yes it has got a narrow field of view but I don’t mind that as I usually use it for viewing the planets . It’s very convenient for trying different magnifications, depending on the conditions, without swapping eyepieces. It’s also very good quality if a bit pricey (best found secondhand)

Slightly later (say 3.30) and it's at about 8 deg. Still low though - you need a clear view of the NE horizon. Got up again but all cloudy Interesting that a couple of posts mention naked eye - is it brighter than yesterday when most said it was not, or more transparent skies perhaps?

While I was out Neowise spotting this morning I also looked at Mars. It really is looking promising now as it gets larger and higher in the sky. Through the Tak at about 250x magnification the southern polar cap was very bright with an adjacent roughly rectangular dark area which correlates to the Mare Acidalium region according to Sky Safari. Really looking forward to the time around opposition - and please no sandstorms this time