paulastro

Out from 00.45 to 2.00am using theTecnosky 102ED F7, binoviewer, Baader neodymium filter, 24 and 16mm Orthos with x2 barlow. Surprisingly good seeing until around 1.30 when it started to deteriorate. The NE was a very rusty/orange colour, whilst the GRS was very insipid looking to me, and showed little colour, certainly not red. Combined with its shrinking size over the years since I first observed it in the early 70's, it has become a shadow of what it was. Lovely to see Io's shadow and the beautifully formed sphere of the satellite itself as they slowly encroached onto Jupiter. Io itself a bright white small disk, as usual becoming harder to see as it transited Jupiter. I've attached three screen shots from SkySafari to show how it looked at 1.02, 1.10 and 1.4l - orientation reversed W-E. In 'real life' the SEB was far paler than the NEB as was the GRS.

Previously the prediction was for the peak to be in July 2025. . July's highlights included the first time since Sept 2017 there had been six sunspot groups on the disc at the same time, the first X- flare of the cycle, and a CME so powerful it affected the earth even though it was on the 'wrong side of the sun. Lots to look forward to 😊.

Sigma, it sounds as if you've made a good start. Dark skies are much better for deep sky observing, but certainly not necessary for planetary and lunar observing. Most of the planets have more than enough light even when using smaller telescopes - as you have already found out. If you can avoid lights shinning directly on yourself or into your telescope you should be fine observing at home. You can hide in the shade of your shed or trees etc, and if there aren't any, put a black cloth over your head and shoulders. (easy to make one out of some black-out material). Also, though you could have had cooling issues causing your 'wavy mess', this might not be the case. it could have been bad seeing caused by the air being turbulent, particularly if you were observing when the planets were low down. Its best to observe when they are on the meridian - due south when they are at their highest if you can. Seeing will vary on most nights, so patience is a virtue. Your best views will be when the seeing is at its best, some nights being better than others. You will also find over time you 'learn' to be a better observer. With increasing experience you will find you see more detail more often. Like any skill, the more you observe the better observer you will become. Good luck.

Thank you Roberti. In this part of Yorkshire, Jupiter currently gets as high as 23 degrees when it transits the meridian. Of course, if you're N of here then it will be lower, but if you are further S it will be higher. up to 26 or 27 degrees. You should be able to see it if you have a long S facing garden as long as you haven't tall trees or buildings too close. Good luck.

At least you tried Heather. I enjoy the prep and setting up the rig for an event even if it turns out I don't see the event in the end. As you say, there's always another time.

I was out from 10.50pm set up with the Tecnosky 102ED F7 on the Scopetech Mount Zero - first light with the latter on the night sky since it arrived on Friday. At this time the seeing was quite poor between cloud. In the Tecnosky at x180 using Orthos in the binoviewer giving I couldn't split Ganymede and Europa in the dodgy seeing. Later, when the seeing had Improved a bit I could glimpse John's snowman, in better moments. 🙂 As John reports, I could also see a lot of detail on Jupiter at times, particularly when my automatic cloud filter came into play! I observed the occultation until 11.45pm when cloud came in, and though I stayed out until after 1.00am, I never had another view, so missed the satellites separating. Still, pleased to see it at all. Saturn looked fabulous at times and it was very noticeable how much brighter the rings were when compared with the disc than usual. To me they looked pretty much the same brightness. Of course, it is usual for the rings to appear brighter just before oppostion which is on August 2nd. A footnote re the Scopetech Mount Zero. After giving it the 'tap test' it would take up to a couple of seconds to settle down which is quite acceptable - who in their fight mind taps their telescope when they are observing anyway!? 😁 The good thing was that when I used the slow motions, the image didn't shake or tremor at all - excellent! A very enjoyable session.

It's looking like there might be a slight chance of glumpsing it between clouds up here in Yorkshire. Best of luck everyone.

From Astronomy Now.

There is an excellent thread started by Stu in July 2020 (link below) regarding this mount. It has many useful comments and photos which I will consider to be Invaluable if you're not familiar with the mount, and still are if you're are familiar with it! I took delivery this morning of a used Scoptech Mount Zero, at a sensible used price, complete with slow motion cables and a Vixen tripod adapter which come at additional cost when new. Since my observatory roof blew off I'd been keeping an eye out for a used altaz mount with slow motions of light weight, but sturdy enough to use with my 102ED at high powers. I found my AZ5 not up to my requirements with the 102, though it is an excellent, great value, mount for smaller scopes or lower power with my 102. I needed a mount I could carry out easily and quickly. My need had become more urgent having been recently diagnosed with a severe back condition which impairs my mobility. The Scoptech only weighs 1.4 kilos. I must admit I was a bit pensive having read and reread Stu's thread. Some of the posts, to me, gave the impression it was a bit on the fussy side, and perhaps difficult to balance. It was with some trepidation I awaited delivery this morning, as I had never seen one in the flesh. I couldn't have been more wrong ! Delivery was at 11am and by 11.30 it was safely mounted on my Vixen tripod with the Tecnosky 102ED on board. The Scoptech oozes quality, very sturdily made and extremely smooth motions, it took me all of a couple minutes to balance it. I added the slow motions and straight away they worked while still being able to move the mount by hand without again adjusting the tightening knobs on each axis. Brilliant, just what I wanted and clearly a few steps up from the AZ5. I may have been lucky in that the previous owner had probably took time to set it up properly before I became the custodian. Non the less, I am really pleased with the purchase. Once I've had time under the sky with it, I'll provide an update, I can't wait!

Thank you, you've done English speaking only solar enthusiasts a great service by translating it. 🙂

I've read quote a bit of my copy now. It's breadth, quality and the wonderful illustrations and photographs are outstanding. Certainly from a practical point of view I just can't imagine anything ever beating it. The most comprehensive book on solar astronomy I've never seen anything that has come close to it. Don't hesitate, just buy it. Worth every penny 😊.

Yes, lucky the seeing was good enough to bring out the detail in a PST.

Glad you could benefit from the seeing Peter 🙂.

Out this evening from about 6.30 to 7.30. Some of the best seeing I've had for a good while. What can be seen on my rather inadequate sketch doesn't do justice to what it actually looked like. The surface detail and texture was fabulous and constant across the disc, with a blood red disk and very black background. Alas my sketch just shows an indication of the main features. A great memory for me though. 🙂

Hi Sean. Here is a GONG image this morning, and below is the same from yesterday. You can compare the differences directly..

They do change, but not very fast, perhaps suited to time-lapse rather than an imaging sequence. I've had a couple of views and I didn't notice much difference. It does vary though. I would expect to see some noticeable differences by tomorrow. I suppose the more detail you can get the more subtle changes you will see over a shorter time period.

I quite agree Mark, if you find it fits you should treat yourself, it's the least you deserve 😊. If you do buy the new Lunt 40 I'd be interested in how you find it compared with the PST. I may have to buy one myself if the owner of 'my' PST wants it back some time, though I keep telling him it's rubbish. I just hope he doesn't read some of the positive things I've said about it on various SGL forums 😁.

An excellent set of images Nigella, I'm pleased you posted them! 🙂

Looking at GONG, there are some nice filaments on show, better than I've seen for a while. Alas its currently cloudy here so I've not seen them myself.

Yes, it seems a lot compared with the dollar price. Having said that, if its as good or better than a good PST, then it's still the cheapest option if you want to avoid buying a Quark or Solar Scout. Until recently the PST was still available new for a little less than £800 and the new 40mm may be better. I have to say, I have a very early version PST on loan, which is badly affected by rust, but actually works very well. I have used numerous PSTs over the years and it's one of the better performers. It could turn out that the new 40mm Lunt could be something of a bargain.

Well, that's what spacweather.com say. Don't get too excited though. (JeremyS look away now 😄). I was out early this morning hoping for good seeing, but it wasn't great using the Tecnosky 102ED. In fact I struggled to see them all. Below is a single frame taken with the Olympus which does show them, but not obvious. I've added some crops from the full disk shot to make it easier. Frame taken at 7.43am. Also added a quick sketch with the PST. The ARs themselves were easier to see than most of the spots themselves. AR2847 and AR2849 sort of merged into one. Still, the new solar cycle is picking up 😀.

Sorry Jeremy, perhaps next time 😁.

Observed this lunchtime with the Tecnosky 102ED F7. Too much murk to observe earlier, though the seeing was still poor - helped somewhat by using the Baader Continuum Solar Filter. Of main interest was that there were five ARs with sunspots, I think for the first time in the new solar cycle. The full disc pic is a single frame taken with the Olympus E-M5 Mk11 at 12.15. You'll be hard pressed to spot them in the full disk pic, so there are also three crops from the same frame to help you 🙂.

AR2846 was AR2838 in a previous life 🙂.

Oops, sorry John, I quoted myself instead of you in my previous post!! 😁.