paulastro

ARs, 3313, 3311 and 3314 close together in the NE quadrant are the most complex, with the largest single spot in AR 3310 in the SE. Single frame and crop taken at 7.13am with Olympus E-M5 Mk11, 1/400 at 400asa, Altair 80 ED-R.

Have you thought of seeing a therapist?

Ags, it makes more sense than what I actually wrote 🤣.

MAY 15 TO 16TH Only just written up these obs from my field notebook into my diary. I haven't the energy to type up the obs on my phone (no working computer!) so I've taken a couple of snaps of my diary instead. Apologies for my scribble.

Many thanks Stephen, that's very kind of you. I still have another present to look forward to before my birthday ends - it's forecast to be clear all night so I'll be out by the time Nautical Dusk arrives - no more Astronomical Dusk this far North fir a while now.

To those of us of senior years, Alan Heath will be a familiar name, perhaps best known for his Saturn and Solar observations - and a man of many talents. I received a copy of this book for my birthday today from a very long and valued friend. I was so pleased with it I wanted to share it with others who might be interested. It's well printed and profusely illustrated with nice b&w and colour drawings and photographs. If you're a keen practical astronomer you'll love it. If you're a naturalist and weather buff as I am as well, you'll think you've won the lottery. Its available through Amazon.

I'm so pleased for you that you've got another FS128 Mike. I know how much you've missed it and how long you've been lusting after another one. It couldn't have gone to a better home. See you soon 🙂.

I suggest anyone who thinks they have an FS128 in their observatory ought to go outside and check its still there - right now! 😂

There is a review of the Dwarf 11 by Ade Ashford in the forthcoming June issue of Astronomy Now.

Thank you for that Garry, I'm pleased you found it of some interest.

I attended the event with Andy from The Astronomy Centre nr Todmorden, leaving on 23rd to avoid some impending heavy rain - not good conditions for stowing away Andy's massive tent! We had three good sessions on Tue/Wed, Wed/Thursday and Sat/Sunday. Some very transparent seeing and some hazy conditions. Good for solar on many of the days, very cold at night if you didn't have heating in your tent. Remember this if you're planning to go next year when it starts on March 5th, around six weeks earlier! 🥶. I took the Celestron Starsense Explorer 8inch Dob, and Andy brought a C5 (also with a SS facility) and a 71mm refractor for HA observations. The SSE facility enabled me to make good use of the available observing time, and I actually achieved my main objectives in observing as many galaxies as I could in Coma, Virgo, Leo and Ursa Major. Including all the Messier objects in these constellations and other NGC targets. As usual (when observing from Kelling), I had the best views of the year I will get of these objects. Particularly impressive were the views of M81/M82, M51, and M66/M65. However, the most impressive group I observed were those in Markarians Chain, a group of galaxies that form part of the Virgo Cluster. From earth they appear along a curved line, with M84 and M86 at one end. It was an absolute treat to work along the line of galaxies with my 17.5mm Morpheus in the 8inch. Simply stunning. Even better in larger scopes. Worth the trip on its own! I also had superb views of NGC 4565, the Needle Galaxy, a beautiful bright edge on galaxy. At m9.6 and 16'x3" it rather puts NGC 891 in the shade and is a much easier object to see. Kelling is much more than the observing though, and I met up with many old friends and chatted with many more - as well as sharing views with our scopes. Below are a few pics, the one of Markarians Chain is not one of mine 🤣.

Hello Peter. Yes, there are people here. Clear for 3/4 hours Tue/Wed, and beautiful sunshine all day today with an all - nighters forecast for tonight, Wed. More people arriving all the time.Not had time to post report, will try tomorrow perhaps. I sent you an email a few days ago and your inbox was full 😊. Best regards, Paul. Really? Just had a quick look at AccuWeather and this is it. Looks good to me. I really wouldn't worry what it says to be honest. I've been to the Autumn version for most of the last 20 years,and despite some dire forecasts over the years, I've always had at least 3/4 goid sessions making it well worth while,and often more. The trick is not to go to the bar early and then miss a perfectly good night - hard to believe it, but many people do! Also, check frequently for breaks, both in the evening and early morning, it's surprising how often its clear despite a bad forecast. Especially if you're visual you can make the most of comparatively short breaks. People who only observe if it's clear from dusk to dawn will miss out on a lot of clear sky. Must dash - I'm off to continue my packing 😊.

Mike. You've done a great job with that, you must have a very steady hand as well as your steady eye. Are you available June 27th, when my hip replacement is planned? If so, could you be on standby just in case it should be posponed for any reason? 😊

Mike, it's there if you follow the 'contact us' link, it's 01603721946, though I dont know how easy it might be to get through. If a company has only email contact, its vital you get a rapid response. In this respect FLO is top class, it would take some beating, or even matching. Hope you get it sorted Mike.

Mike, did you try phoning? By the way, your not getting more intollerant at all. I've known you for over 20 years, and you've always been like that - and grumpy! 😊

Really? Just had a quick look at AccuWeather and this is it. Looks good to me. I really wouldn't worry what it says to be honest. I've been to the Autumn version for most of the last 20 years,and despite some dire forecasts over the years, I've always had at least 3/4 goid sessions making it well worth while,and often more. The trick is not to go to the bar early and then miss a perfectly good night - hard to believe it, but many people do! Also, check frequently for breaks, both in the evening and early morning, it's surprising how often its clear despite a bad forecast. Especially if you're visual you can make the most of comparatively short breaks. People who only observe if it's clear from dusk to dawn will miss out on a lot of clear sky. Must dash - I'm off to continue my packing 😊.

The Celestron 30mm Ultima Edge 70 deg eyepiece has blackened retaining rings. It's a lovely eyepiece.

This has just been taken from AccuWeather.

The weather is looking good for the 17th to 24th at Kelling at the moment. Just took this from AccuWeather. It's a good job I don't believe in tempting fate 😊.

That's quite right Mark. The mount comes with a Vixen fitting dovetail holder. Mind you, I haven't seen a limit for the mount. It's not that substantial for much more load than I will be using with it. I suspect the mount could be beefed up, or the angled phone holder fixed to other mounts. Perhaps the Rowan mounts, not that I have one. Off to the Spring Kelling bash next Monday, but will probably only take the Dob because we're rather short of space. Andy ( from TAC) is taking a blow up tent which I'm hoping will fit on our pitch and leave us some room to observe 🙂.

Oops, sorry, I meant to say three new additions to MY Celestron Starsense Explorer stable - to keep my 8inch Dob version company 🙂. I bought the DX 130 DX version to add 130mm Newt, 80mm ED f7 and 125mm f10 SC versions. The refractor is my Altair 80 ED-R - all on the DX mount of course. Now I have multiple portable Starsense Explorer scope options for when I'm away from home 😊.

This software from NASA is what you're after perhaps Mark. On my, now broken, laptop the high res images are incredible. The detail on the terminator is exactly what you will see in your scope - it really is uncanny. On my phone the high res images don't download properly alas, they may on better phones. Don't be put off by the low res images, the full res really are the business. https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/5048

I have both, and am in the 'must have both' camp 🙂.

Thanks Anne, we're bound to bump into you, we're on 137 🙂.

John, I agree, it's distressing for anyone to feel they have to leave SGL for such reasons. Michael's comparison was written with a good balance and fair in my view. It was also very useful for those considering if they should buy the Starfield. I have thought on some occassions some Tak owners (not all) have been too quick to recommend a 2.5k scope to less experienced members when in my view, it is questionable if in fact its the best choice, and often clearly not. It's not important what I think however. You only have to check out what some of the most highly regarded experts there are around think. I'm thinking of names such as Dickinson and Dyer, Ed Ting, Dennis d'Cicco, Ade Ashford and others. None will recommend a four inch fluorite as a first telescope. Nor will they recommend one for anyone whose interests are clearly not best met by such a scope. Also some Tak owners do rubbish other manufacturers and type of telescopes which is not helpful to anyone. I'm sure some will see this as banter or humour, but in my view it does sometimes go too far, and some times is offensive. We have a duty to help people to find the scope that suits their circumstances, interests and pocket and will meet their needs if they ask for advice. If we can't do do this in an impartial and helpful way, we can help them most by not saying anything.