Telescope40

Scope out a little earlier. No joy I’m afraid apart from enjoying the scope and sunshine. John

I got a nice look using my Canon IS 10x30 binos. Twas a nice view very similar to this. As said. A nice moment in the current cloudiness of society . John

Hello all. Much appreciate the comments. Helped with the analysis paralysis!! I do like the wood option and liked the look of the Geoptik when I saw it. Decision made. Thanks. John

Hello. Can anyone confirm that if I wish to use the point and track option on the mount do I have to go thru the alignment process as usual ?? Thanks in advance John

Hello. No joy at all. Sent the second one back. Thanks. John (Telescope40)

Arrived today courtesy of fellow member @david_taurus83 Counterweight with adaptor for my AZ GTI mount. John

Thanks Jeremy. Not seen this option. I’ll follow up. Looks sturdy. John

Hello all. Bout time I bought a proper usable chair for my observing sessions. Got 3 listed below that I have seen. https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/geoptik-nadira-astronomy-observing-chair.html https://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomy-observing-chairs/sky-watcher-anti-tip-observing-chair.html Last option is the ironing board chair. Adjustable type. Criteria is that I observe on the decking in the garden but often on the lawn, which has a slope in certain areas. Happy to put a piece of boarding down to help with steadiness. Love the Geoptik Nadira. However. Think would have to attach a wooden bar to it to help with lawn use on a slope, as would guess I’d end up bracing myself as not to tip. Not a biggie to mod. The Skywatcher looks ok but on reading the info the seat does not lie flat for storage. Not the best. The ironing chair I have seen in members posts that I have read. Any musing on this would be gratefully received and / or any other chairs that peeps have had good service from. Thanks in advance. John

I’ll confirm cloud here in Cheshire. Happy though if it’s the result of the delivery of this scope to @JeremyS Very very very nice. Enjoy soon John

Hello all. Just got 15 mins worth of blue sky. Out quickly with my Stellarvue 102 frac and Herschel wedge. ES 8.8mm x80 mag. Spots x2 at 12 o’clock position. Very clear. Also above the spots an arc in white that reminds me somewhat of Schroters valley on ze Moon. John

Hello. Get the ISS again. Much more definition getting the mag up to 80x - solar arrays very clear. @PeterW Another shorter pass due in an hour. I’ve got a pair of Canon 10x30 IS binos. Going to give them a shot Regards John

Hello @Littleguy80 . Yes. Was great fun and for sure my heart rate was upped quite markedly as I tried to follow it. Gonna give it another go tonite. Not sure in upping the magnification past 100x. Think I'll go with my 8'8 mm ES 82 degree EP - will give me 80X and see how I go. Hopefully I can get my eye in again John

Hello all. Just come in after a bit of a chase down of the ISS. Heavens above website noted a 2025 pass due this evening. Cloud not looking too good but hey, thort I'd give it a shot. Kit - my Stellarvue 102 frac. ES 11mm 82 degree EP. 64x magnification. Skytee mount with axes nicely loosened off. Did not use diagonal but had to employ an extension tube to focus. Hoped no diagonal would be of help. Focused up using Venus. RDF switched on and here goes. Check where to follow. Below Venus tracking to above Orion. GOT IT. Nice shape - solar arrays I presume. Best view I have ever had. Must have had it in the eyepiece for a good 30 seconds. Had seen it fleetingly for a matter of seconds in previous scopes but really think the missing diagonal was the key. Moved on to Venus. Bit of light cloud. 4mm Nirvana EP. Very nice. Sky poor for any more to the session but to say I was only at the scope for 45 minutes, am well chuffed. Thanks for reading if you git this far. John

Well done that astronomer!! 👍👍

Blimey O’Reilly !! I’m happy with my ED150, given its “howitzer” heritage after seeing this photo. No wonder the guy is sat down. 🤣🤣👍👍

Hello. Just delivered following recommendations from a few peeps on here. John

Hello @Alan White @Naked gun. Fraid so 😥😥 I was out having a lunar session with the new frac so didn’t find it an issue last Sunday. However I do make use of a large piece of strong cardboard and wedge it between the top of my fence and the soffit of the neighbours garage. With this in place and by jibbing off down my garden as far as I can go it does mitigate the light to a manageable degree. Why the neighbour likes his garage door lit up is beyond me but hey. As for the whole back elevation that’s lit up, I’m completely baffled. It’s a 3 storey “town house” - I’m not inclined for a chat. Don’t think I’ve spoke to him directly in the 3 years I’ve lived here. No loss I assure you all. John

In my best Sean Connery impression - “your joking,Q “ LOL

Very good Mark and Dave. hoping the team at Feathertouch don’t take offence. Whoops !

Book on order and app downloaded. Happy punter !!

Thank you @Knighty2112 and @L8-Nite Will be following both up with a download and purchase Most excellent. John

Hello. Was unsure where to post this. Apologies mods. Please move if required. I have a couple of Moon observing handbooks. I struggle sometimes to match a photo / map with what’s in the eyepiece. I’am looking to see if anyone can recommend an atlas that may show something along the lines of, each daily phase of the moon, indicating areas of interest, particularly along the terminator. Thanks in advance. John

Hello all. Bit of fun really. Not an option in the long run me thinks. I just found an Astro Engineering focusing ring in my “spares” box. Just fits nicely on the FT focuser on my Stellarvue SV 102 ED frac. Feeling like a bit a heathen tbh. 😜😜 John

Hello. Second first light for my SW 150 ED. Panzerfaust on a Skytee 2 ! Regards. John

Here you go @Space Hopper Rather impromptu I’m afraid. Mods so far. Moonlite focuser - 2nd dovetail bar and carry handle fitted. john