Luke

Glad to hear you're having a blast! I do like fancy focusers myself, though the SolarMax 60s' helical focuser* is not very well liked, mine had some backlash, but it was still usable and the scope served me very well. It's a shame h-alpha is so expensive! I look forward to seeing what you make of your DS unit! I found it well worth it for the increased contrast on the disc, though perhaps it depends on the user's eyesight how much difference it makes. I used single and double stack over the same period for a good while (we had his and hers - I used the single for imaging plus visual and also observed a lot with my wife's DS) and you do pay a lot for the double stack and I am happy enough with a single stack but would always try to double stack myself when funds allow and if the bug really bites! I really love the Radians for h-alpha and for white light. Those Lunt 50's do look neat, I intend to replace my current filter as soon as funds allow and I think it will likely be with a Lunt. I think you make a good point about returning later in the day to see how things have developed. I didn't know when I started out just how quickly things can change! re: beer, the amount to consume is if my dodgy maths is right inversely proportional to the cost of the h-a filter. Maybe switch to Coke if you get a double stack 80 down the line? @Merlin, I have no idea on mechanical things, strap wrench is the best thing I know. That's a horrible situation to be in with such a valuable unit. Hope you get it sorted. It might be worth asking on SolarChat: https://solarchatforum.com * the helical focuser on my Tele Vue 60 is sweet!

The International Shrimp Station?

Congratulations! Very striking and a special capture!

Very nice, Trevor! Is that the SW F9 ED100? If it is, I love mine to bits. Really sweet on the sun too with safe filters of course. If I kept only one frac, I think it'd have to be the ED100.

What a beautiful image and lovely processing! I don't think I've seen a C5 in the flesh. I got a CG5 mount that kind of came with an almost free C6 once (it didn't cost much more than just buying the mount) and it was a lovely telescope. I underestimated what a cracking scope it was. I'd love to have a look through a C5 one day.

Wow, undriven. Very nice. Good work by the Frankenhammer.

Wow, lovely detail from 180mm of aperture. Thanks for sharing.

It's been a good few years! I did cool on the astro for a bit, partly with solar minimum (having got very much into solar) and disappointment with a solar filter. I think you may have had a few issues with a solar filter yourself by sounds of things, but things are hopefully being sorted? And I got into another hobby, one that doesn't depend on the weather! (board gaming) Sarah still loves astronomy as well and keeps saying how she'd love to go to another SGL star party. I wonder how things have changed. Are Jaffa cakes still valid currency? Is John imaging now?

Hear, hear! It would be wonderful to see the star party back when the time is right and Sarah and I would love to attend if possible and to catch up with folks, and meet some more stargazers. Will there be the burger van again?

I like your plan to admire it for a few weeks! It looks a beast! Good luck with getting everything sorted out and picking your lappy.

I'd almost be tempted to get on that!

Welcome, iPoncho. I shall try to wave at you next time I observe the moon! 😃 May your 8 inch dob show you many deep sky wonders!

Lovely images, Will! Well done for mastering the challenges. And welcome to SGL!

Welcome to SGL and to the hobby, Quentin!

Congrats on all the gear and on your patience! I would try to send some clear sky your way but I haven't got any.

Congratulations! A great achievement, there's quite a lot to take in with imaging and guiding is so cool!

I'll have to vote for my giro mount. I love solar observing and the giro mount is very convenient for quick setup. It's on a nice solid and light tripod (Vixen Hal130). There's been many a time when I nipped out for a quick look at our nearest star.

Sweet! I take it 60FPS is with region of interest, not the full 16MP? (for me 23 FPS already sounds fast enough and on that huge sensor! I found 16 FPS fine for my needs). Do you have any problems keeping the big sensor parallel? I hope that makes sense. I mean so that it is all in sharp focus (little tilt). I ask because I seemed to get edges a bit out of focus with a smaller chip and am not sure if that was tilt, someone suggested it may have been due to tilt. Mark, what are you planning to do with the other 5% (not solar Ha)?

Lovely! What a whopper!

Congrats on the camera! Look forward to seeing your images. The ASI1600 is new on me - that's a 16 megapixel camera that can do 23 frames per second? With a huge sensor (17.3x13.4mm)?

Congrats on the new gear! That's looking very promising. Was it easy enough to focus with no spots?

I think it's at least three years since I bought anything astro related! But now I am tempted to buy something Tele Vue... ... a £12 baseball cap! My drought is partly because I didn't do much astro for a few years, and funds are tight now while I am out of work. I'd love to buy a new solar h-alpha filter/scope!

Oooooh, I didn't know you could buy these on their own, it's a really nice cap. My wife and I had to fight over the cap that came free with our scope. I wanted to wear it yesterday but I think my wife won the cap fight, if memory serves. Yours came is very posh wicker packaging for £12.

Well done, beautiful and mesmerising!