paulastro

Not great Wookie! I've resorted to having the scope out even if it's 60% cloud plus, and taking advantage of the brief clear gaps. Mind you, I've had to get it back into the garage quickly when the rain comes down.

Yes, I find it's often better observing wise when at opposition Mars is only of moderate size but a good altitude. When it's a very favourable opposition and large with a very low altitude it's seldom you have very good seeing - in the UK at any rate.

Lots of cloud here too Stu. For Mars, I'm sometimes out when there are only short breaks in a mostly cloudy sky. I've had far more views than if Iwas waiting for completely clear nights - these are currently quite a rarity. It's qood when the cloud is moving quickly as I don't have to wait too long for a view. I've had some good views with the 8 inch observing like this. 😊

Have you a x2 barlow? Your 10 inch will manage x240 well when the seeing cooperates, and at the higher power the details will be far easier to make out. With my 8inch, for Mars I'm using between x200 and x300 with a binoviewer, mostly the higher power.

Have you posted these images Nigella?

You can't fool me, if you really live at Syrtis Major, the earth's phase will be 'new' 😊.

I have to do my shopping in charity shops 😔

Excellent description of what sounds like a great evening Andrew.

Sorry Sunshine and bosun21, when you read this I'd only written the first two lines and pressed the post button by mistake. At least you now know why I'm shouting at you 🤣

I had some great views of Mars last night, superb in the 8 inch StarSense Dob, Syrtis Major, and Sinus Sabaeus were striking. There are many people, some on these pages, who don't start observing lt until its actually at opposition. Big mistake. Older hands will know this, but not only does Mars only come to opposition every 2 years, not all oppositions are equal. At this opposition it attains a diameter of 17.2". If you want to see it bigger and brighter, you'll have to wait until July 2033 !! Particularly if you're getting on a bit, don't delay - make the most of it. I' won't see it better until I'm 78 years old. 😱 😅.

Here's a pic from todays i newspaper.

Some good points there Andrew. I did actually derive some satisfaction when I came to the point that I could find my way around the sky fairly well, but as the years went by it became more and more of a chore. Also, at the age I am now, and not without some health issues, I like to use my time more efficiently, and it's not only the time. Using a finder is difficult and painful for me so StarseSense has made a huge difference to my observing on that account as well. I also find that using SS actually enhances my knowledge of the night sky. As you push the scope toward an object you can't help but notice (on the phones' screen) objects you might not be familiar with or have just plain forgotten they were there. What's more, you can also 'pull over' and take a look at them. As you say, we are lucky to have the choice of many options, and people can follow the path that suits them best. On your last point, I love looking at star maps, in fact any maps, but I confess I wouldn't want to be without a satnav any more than I'd want to be without my StarSense 😊.

I'm not sure about 'psychological motovation-reward loop" Andrew. Many, many years ago when I first started observing using a finder, I do remember being amazed that the object was where it was supposed to be and delighted to be able to observe my Quarry once found. Having said that, I've truly never enjoyed the actual process of searching using a finder which, for me, has always been a means to an end. The joy for me came from actually observing the objects - and this is still how I feel. I've used some goto mounts in my time, and enjoyed that less than using a finder. Too much to go wrong both electronically and mechanically, and for most of them, too noisy. I'm certainly no smartphone guru, but with my StarSense dob I can find objects quickly, quietly and make best use of the all too brief opportunities our climate in the UK allows. I can use the majority of my time at the telescope doing what I like doing most, - observing. Bliss 😊.

Thanks Andrew. I too found this about a couple of weeks or so ago, I was going to post it and promptly forgot 🙂. One thing I thought was rather odd, was that Ed said people might spend more time looking at the phone screen mounted on the scope rather than looking through the scope. I only use the phone screen to find objects, which it does far quicker than using a finder. So I spend much less time searching for objects, and far more time actually observing. If the user wants to spend time listening to all the descriptions, or playing around with it in some other ways, it's up to the individual. To me the BIGGEST advantage of the SS is the fact that it's possible to spend a much bigger percentage of every session observing than I could before. Its a game changer in this respect.

Many thanks for your comments. I'm delighted that your scope is making such a difference to your observing sessions.

I'd noticed this before, as already said it's prettier than a Telrad if anyone is bothered, but £65, blimey 😱. PS when I've used a Telrad, I've always used a shower cap to keep the dew off it.

This has more data than the S&T version - which Ade also co-authors. I prefer this one, but either are fine. http://www.nightskies.net/skyguide/mars/mars.html

Single frame below taken at 2.06pm, Altair 80 ED-R, Olympue E- M5 Mk11, 1/400 at 200 asa. AR3141 facing earth.

Many thanks, thats really helpful. They look just the ticket, I'll get a set ordered. Thanks again, Paul

Cajen, can you tell me what magnetic weights you use to balance the tube, and where you got them from? There are lots on Amazon - too many! If you can point me to the ones you use it will save me a lot of time wading through them all. Many thanks.

Event timings ftom SkySafari. Timings for Oakworth, West Yorkshire, not London 😊.

I managed to take a few single frames between heavy rain this morning. The frame below was taken at 11.11am, Altair 80 ED-R, Olympus E-M5 MK11, 1/250 at 200 asa.

I'm with you on the Scope Tech Zero mount Stu - I use my Altair 80 ED-R with it.

Well Mike, you're well known for licking telescopel lenses. So I presume you choose them by flavour rather than aperture Anyone for a raspberry telescope? 😊.

The Scotty book is a great buy Alan. Even after all these years since the articles were published in S&T it has so much of value. I regularly consult my copy.