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Posts posted by SpaceWatcher
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I use digiCamControl on laptop, works well, full control, live view, astronomy mode and free
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There’s some live astronomy related webcams
https://www.virtualtelescope.eu/webtv/ (Watch out for the clickable ads)
https://www.webcamtaxi.com/en/astronomy.html
Theres an Open University course
(looks quite easy going) that gives you free access to image at
This site also has a great image gallery
👍🏻
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Hi Ash
Astronomy is what you want it to be, not what someone else thinks you need, if that site’s ideas for what you need don’t agree with yours then don’t let it put you off, find somewhere else, it should be about making it accessible to anyone with an interest 😀
You can enjoy visual astronomy with no deep knowledge of the science, if you’re happy that a nebula is a cloud of dust/gas then that is all you need for now to enhance your enjoyment of astronomy
When I was 12 and first saw Jupiter, Saturn and it’s rings and the moon through a scope I had no real idea of what they were, I was just amazed and it started a love of astronomy that has lasted, um… quiet a while now 😬, I acquired more detailed knowledge as a when I needed it
Enjoy the stars and post questions on Stargazers Lounge, we’ll all help
👍🏻
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Taking shape nicely 👍
Re the street light, tell them it’s stopping you sleep
I told our council it was for stargazing and they didn’t want to know, my wife told them it was stopping us sleeping 2 months later and it was shielded within 2 weeks
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I have Columbia and North Face snow boots, both good down to around -30 and waterproof, my feet never get cold 👍🏻
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Welcome 🙂
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I’m sure I’ve seen a formula somewhere that shows the level of cloud is directly related to the importance of the astronomical event 😜
I know I’ve suffered it’s consequences many times…
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A long time ago my wife and me went to the brilliant but now sadly gone Starhill Inn in New Mexico (RIP 😢)
Through the day we met a very large 8ft tall Brown bear eating the hummingbird feeders at the ranch house and it was scared away by the owners
That night I was working through my list with a 16” LX200 when we heard a noise in the bushes nearby, I flashed across with a torch and two eyes lit up about 6” apart and ~30ft away, it was probably the bear attracted to the hot chocolate we’d got from the warm room nearby
It scared the hell out of us as it was pitch black, we walked rapidly back to our cabin with torches on and swinging around while singing loudly
When you look at the pictures in the Ranger Stations of what bears do to cars to get food they don’t look so cute and furry
Later on that trip we had a bear circling our tent sniffing in Yosemite
Food and cooking clothes were in the bear box nearby so it went and hit that instead, much to our relief as all I had was a small pocket knifeWe and the other campers were banging pans and yelling to drive it away
The USA has liven me truly some stunning views of the sky in beautiful locations while accompanied by bears, coyotes and some truly scary mosquitoes, I understand the need for some form of protection, we took whistles, bear spray and Deet with us everywhere after that, I’d also consider a portable motion sensor alarm if I was deeply into an observing session in some wilderness areas to alert if bigger critters got too close
Next time we’re there we may ask the National Guard to circle our site 😜
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Also get her to check out Lonely Spec for Astro photography and landscapes with DSLR, tripod and lens
Helpful advice and some stunning photos without even using a scope
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Sign up for the free Sky & Telescope Astrophotography book, good advice for starting
https://skyandtelescope.org/astrophotography-guide-free-ebook/
What does your wife want to photograph to start with, even a Meade EXT can be used to take some moon/planet pictures easily, it’s small light has goto and tracking (in alt-az so limited exposure times) and is around your budget, it’s about working with what you can afford and knowing what you can expect to achieve
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Hi and welcome
I’ve always found this the most friendly and helpful astronomy forum, hope you enjoy it here
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Is it The Pillow?
You’ll find lots of detail on the Orion Nebula here
https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/star-trapping-in-orions-trapezium/- 1
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As an alternative I’ve been using Starmap2 since it came out. Good app and telescope control
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Hey Peter, great idea, I’ve actually got an old Nikon one in the loft from my (very) old slr, l’ll have to do some playing with it and if it works I’m off to eBay for another one 👍
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Interesting option I saw in this months Sky & Telescope
The 2.1 x 42 Constellation Binoculars
almost half glasses half binoculars, very interesting looking
https://www.vixenoptics.co.uk/Pages/wide_field_binoculars.htmlMagnification2.1x
Diameter42mm
CoatingsFully multi-coated
Eyerelief8.4mm*
Approx real FOV12.2°*
Approx apparent FOV25.2°*
Close focus2m
IPD55~74mm
Size46 x 128 x 54mm
Weight410g
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Mine are
Zeiss 7x30B - 8.5 deg fov, great for sky views and almost indestructible in rubber armour, had them about 30 years and still great
Only pain is no tripod mountBausch & Lomb 8x42 Elites - 7 deg field of view and great optics, nice to use and light
Small Nikon pair of grab and go - don’t use for astro
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I’ve used JB Weld to fix a few metal parts, it a two pack system, almost like a metal epoxy resin
Works really well and gives a strong repair, I got it from Amazon for £5.80 with free delivery
Take the mirror out before attempting repair (I know it’s common sense but I have to say it)
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Thanks, I’m also 8” SCT user, this has saved me ordering one to try as I was only looking at one for bigger focal lengths
Looks like the Antares 6.3 will be the best option
👍
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I was looking at the cheap focal reducers too, was about to post asking if anyone had used them when Info when I found this thread (below), don’t think I’ll bother with one now, hope it helps you to decide too
Cracked c9.25 corrector plate.
in Discussions - Scopes / Whole setups
Posted
I wonder if something like this would help mask and reinforce the crack
https://joytidy.com/products/2022-new-glass-repair-fluid?sku=18054560919003177861790523&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIm5T3wpfa-gIVi5ntCh07ggh2EAQYBiABEgIljPD_BwE