Merlin

There’s a table of flat sizes for different apertures in one of  Sidgwick’ books. It might be in his Observational Astronomy for Amateurs.

If the optics are good, why use it for solar only?

Personally, I don’t like waste, I’d renovate the ‘scope. The optics might turn out to be better than a newly-acquired one.

Just now, Merlin said:

I’ve made rubber eye cups by rolling up lengths of bicycle inner inner tube.

I’ve made rubber eye cups by rolling up lengths of bicycle inner.

What about a 130/f.5 Newt on a light alt/az?

Excellent on spots and solar granulation.

I have double-vision so I must wear specs. A major problem with specs is fogging when using my binoviewer and binoculars.

The solution to fogging was to take the plastic lenses from a spare pair of specs and reduce them in size, by sawing and filing, to fit into the eye cups of the binoviewers and bins.

I have two PSTs. One was bought new and a second one was bought at a Cash Generator-type shop for £300. I did a stage 1 mod using the latter one by marrying it to a Skylux 70mm/f.10 refractor.

I bought an old opera glass ( again!) on a flea market  for a fiver, and the optics are better than on previous ones I’ve had. Many have atrocious optics.

The field of view is of course wide, but it’s still like looking down  a straw. There’s so much light pollution here on the edge of the town that I don’t get the full benefit of the opera glass.

Thanks Peter. There’s a wealth of detail to be seen on the Sun at the present time.

When using a binoviewer with a PST, is it necessary to use a Barlow to accommodate the folded beam in the binoviewer and thereby reach focus?

The inner surface of the sliding dewschield doesn’t appear to be Matt black.

Anti-fogging sprays might be okay for dielectric coatings.

Can anti-fog spray be used on first surface mirrors?  I doubt it, but maybe.

I ‘ve settled for two options for mounting my binoculars. Firstly,  a triangular, tubular, aluminium frame with bicycle grips on the bottom and the bins mounted at the apex.

The second option is to mount the bins on a homemade mirror-mount. This is the ultimate in viewing comfort.

I have a similar problem with my B600. Could you give me the website of the German supplier?

Tens of thousands of satellites are going into orbit and by numerous companies. Truly an example of the self-fulfilling prophecy

Kershaw of Leeds made binoculars for the military during WW2. Maybe what you have is an early Kershaw. Dunno.

A good shot of the prom. Alas, it’s been too cloudy at this site for PSTing. How did you adapt the binoviewer for use with your PST? Do you use a Barlow?

My astro-equipment is pretty standard and it’s perfectly good enough for what I require for stargazing.

Most of us use our ‘scopes for stargazing rather than research. It seems to a case of overkill to have a premium grade ‘scope for casual viewing.

If a Barlow is being used dust could be seen on it

Merry Winter Solstice to everybody.

Years ago, I used a length of aluminium factory ducting, procured from a scrap metal yard, for a  8-inch reflector.