paulastro

If you're a binocular enthusiast (or thinking of buying a pair) you'll want this book. I ordered it from Amazon as soon as I saw the review (by Steve Tonkin) in the March edition of the Sky@Night magazine. I picked it up last night at midnight for a quick browse, and didn't get to bed untill 2.30 am. I warn you though, by the time I had put the book down, I had already found three binoculars I'd like to buy - and I already have six or seven pairs! The book is good value in my view despite the cost (it's a hardback) - but it could end up costing you quite a bit more 😊.

I did notice this but there's not that much available about the great man, so I was willing to overlook this. 😊. I think you're right though, that these days typos and mistakes are far more common-place than they used to be years ago.

Well, I'm a bit late with this. A close friend sent it to me last Christmas as a present. W.F. Denning is one of my astronomical hero's, and if you are a fan of Telescopic Work for Starlight Evenings (still available in various editions) you are likely to be interested in this. Available from Amazon.

You're lucky to find a copy Jeremy. I bought the latest edition from Canada a year or so ago. Up till then I had used the first edition for many years. Also have the pdf version. Its the only guide I ever use at the telescope. Since Ive had the Starsense Dob it's been even better as I just have to look up the designation of any object and less than a minute later it's in the eyepuece! I thoroughly recommend it, it's just a shame it's not more easily available in the UK, postage from Canada is VERY expensive. Everyone should have a copy.

Many thanks Mike, much appreciated, your pics look a lot better with the lights on 🙂. The mount looks good with your Tak.

I can't see Takahashi giving you anything for nothing, not even a Newtons ring. They are hardly known for supplying anything but the bare minimum with their tube assemblies.

Nice write up Mike. Any chance of dome pics taken in the daytime? I could hardly see them on my phone they are so dark.

I'm delighted it's all worked out well for you Dave. I've always loved happy endings 🙂.

I has some opportunities between cloud this morning, used the Seestar S50 for a few snaps as it was quicker than getting one of the refractors out.

And then Mike wakes up, as the sunlight filters through his bedroom window........🤣

Really? Still don't care.

With respect to all those who have contributed to this thread, does it all really matter? Personally, I don't care what anyone calls me. I'm not going to change what I do astronomy-wise whatever anyone calls me, or folks who have similiar interests.

Thanks Martin. It sounds as if you are already doing pretty well with it, the longer you use it the better it becomes as you learn all the the things it's capable of doing. Don't worry about the dark edges, you mention when setting up, it happens to mine too. I think it's because it is on a wide angle setting at this time and operates in portrait mode. At night it's not really noticeable. Just ensure you can see as much sky as possible. I would avoid using the advanced controls, they aren't necessary if the setup is right. If it's also telling you that it needs to take longer exposures to find it's position this indicates all is not well. I came across these only when I first had it and it turned out the phone I was trying to use was not compatable. Its much easier to do the setup in daylight, though you can do it at night. If it's done properly in the day, it will work at night time. Then when you take it outside at night just turn the app on, press the flashing symbol on the bottom line, and check the box indicating it is 'still aligned' when it asks you to choose from some options. You're then good to go. The whole procedure only takes a couple of minutes. Unless you've knocked the phone holder this should be all you need to do every time you set it up. You don't have to go through the entire initial setup procedure again every time you use it, but I guess you know this already. Having reflections from the back of the case seems unlikely to me I must say. I always use my phone without the case on when using SS. This is because a couple of times I found one edge of the phone wasn't pushed all the way into the holder, causing there to be a constant error in the pointing till i noticed what it was! If you have a thin case this probably won't be an issue. It's easily dark enough to use SS about an hour after sunsiet and you should get 100% success. Rarely something will happen so it won't work, but this is usually something very simple such as you've knocked the phone holder or aligned it at night and tried to aligne the phone with a different star to that which is in the scopes field of view! Sounds silly? I've done it a couple of times myself! (If you do this you'll have a constant error when you try to point to something) Here's a link to something I posted some time ago that might possibly have something of use to you I haven't mentioned https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/402088-celestron-starsense-explorer-8-inch-dobsonian-review/#comment-4309136

Martin. Re aligning the 'virtual' retincal on your phones screen with a distant object ( if aligning in daytime ) or a distant bright star at night. The accuracy is better the higher the magnification you use and also then magnifying the star you are aligning to on the phone's screen by pinching the screen with your thumb and finger to make it even bigger. Using this method it's easily possible to centre objects even with a mag of x100 plus. I must say though, it should still be easy to put objects nearr the centre of the bullseye every time using your 19mm eyepiece. Re the mushiness you experienced at the end of your session. It could possibly be dew on the phone holders mirror, though this has never happened to me, even when there is ice on the scope or high humidity when the tube is running with water. One SS user also reported when he was having intermittent pointing success, it turned out that his phone camera lenses had many smudges from fingerprints, and when he wiped them the problem went away! Another cause of inaccuracy is if you move the position of the phone holder when putting the phone in place. Ive found it still to be accurate even if your target is near a bright moon. I have found it to work successfully when finding an object less than 5 degrees from the full moon. ( zI tested it when I first had it!) You are right in saying that as you accumulate more experience with SS you will get better accuracy and also achieve success on virtually every time you try and find an object. On most of my sessions I very rarely have any failures. And if I do, it's because l make a silly error, more likely if you are tired. Have fun with it, it's been a game changer for me and I make far better use of any available observing time. Best wishes, Paul

Many thanks Dave, that's very kind of you. You've had some great scopes, and still have! I had followed your thread on selling the FS128 with interest - I used Mike's quite a few times before he sold it so I know what a great telescope it was. Your 'new' Vixen SD115S looks fabulous, especially on the Tak mount. I've never had the pleasure of using one, but I'm sure it performs every bit as good as it looks. I can see many pleasureable observing adventures await you with it. Great to have the LVWs to use with it too. I have had more scopes than I can remember over the years, and have enjoyed using every single one. I don't regret selling any of them though, I've simply sold them on whenever my personal circumstances, or my observing priorities, have changed and I've bought something which has met my new needs. My enthusiasm for observing has never changed- the scopes just change now and again. The weather has been, largely, particularly poor up here since Semptember, I then had to have a heart procedure in early December and a hip replacement three weeks ago, but I expect to be back at it to make up for lost time shortly when the weather improves. I 'll look forward to reading about how you're getting on with the Vixen Dave, by all accounts it's a fine scope.

My ultimate visual telescope is the telescope which allows me to see the amount of detail I want to see, in the objects I like to observe which is commensurate with my current age, fitness and finances. At the current time this is a a Celestron 10 inch Dobsonian Starsense Explorer. The Starsense Explorer push-to app based location system allows me to find any object I want quickly, easily, accurately, silently and without any pain, WiFi connection. or an electricity supply - other than my phones battery! Luckily for me, I already have one 😊.

I think you should buy one too. But then, its so good I think everyone should have one! 😊 This was my very first image with mine on my first night out, and only two minutes exposure, poor seeing and about to go behind some trees!

As my diseased hip got worse ( I had it replaced with a new one on Jan 9th!) I too struggled with my 10inch SS Dob. Quite by accident I came across the device below on FLOs website. When I read about it, I was very doubtful and so I was when it arrived - at first it just looked like a jumble of wide Velcro. However, it works extremely well, at least for me. It works very well even if you just use the two straps, the harness round the neck makes it easier if you have to carry the scope any distance. The harness bit can be detached by two clips when you have the scope in position.

Well, this just popped up on my phone. I've only read a little of it. It's not April 1st is it?

Just spotted this. Note, this is a photo from the TV ,not an actual link.

Yes ,I've been tempted on occassions. But then I think it's just another gadget to have to keep up with. Also with two devices I'd never end up putting the right one to my ear! 🤔.

Any old excuse to spend some money😊. My pics go straight to Gallery on my phone. Alas I have never owned a Tablet - you're tempting me now! 🙄.

No harm in window shopping. And all those nice friendly people to talk to. 😊

Welcome back, lots of exciting developments to catch up on since you left equipment wise. Have fun!

I'd imagine the traders will make some good money this year. There's been an awful lot of new inovative gear come onto the market in the last twelve months. If you need a sub, just let me know Mike 😊.