stevend

Here is a good guide:

Better than in the thread above as you have 5" not 4". With good conditions and the angle of rings being right you can see Cassini. It is a small object but wonderful to look at.

No. I have never updated the software.

Alignment depends on session. I use Solar System if I am mainly looking at the moon or a planet, one star if I am looking in a single area or two star for a general session but make sure there is at least 90 degs between the two stars. A very good feature to look up on in the manual and practise is REALIGN. This allows you to re-align the scope as the session goes on alignment can 'slip out'.

I get Home coordinates from Google Earth.

I had a roll of black audio carpet. Cut a length (so that it makes the scope look twice as long) and then wrapped around to get the width. I then taped down the long side to give me a long black tube that just slides over the end of the scope. You need to use a material that can resists getting wet on the inside from dew. Others on SGL have used a bit of camping mat. Also try searching 'diy dewshield' or similar on SGL.

EPs from Skys the Limit. Very helpful guy. http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Skys-the-Limit-Astro-and-Optical/BST-Starguider-ED-/_i.html?_fsub=2568750014

Jump Starter: I got one similar to this in style, just look around for best deals etc. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Portable-Starter-Battery-Compressor-Shopmonk/dp/B00JXIT5V0/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1454680676&sr=8-14&keywords=auto+jump+starter

I am very happy with it. Great for planets, moon, clusters and doubles and some DSOs. It is the kind of scope that even if you outgrow it, you will still keep it as it can be so useful.

Sky is clear ;) Moon, transits then GRS.

Just Saturn to go.

Mars is up, so that is the early ones. Neptune and Uranus up next, then Lovejoy and Jupiter much later. Saturn at 0700 tomorrow if the skies let me.

I will be looking for Lovejoy, it reaches 6deg at c2330. Boxing Day looks a lot better if the skies are clear.

Jupiter, Geminid and now patchy cloud.

I was hoping for a clear night. The Moon will be the white thing near Alderbaran :) and Callisto occults Europa. ;)

It was right on the terminator this evening so should be visible tomorrow night as well.

Clear early on, but soon clouded over. Tonight looks good though.

I am normally a tea drinker, but after yesterday I need coffee, and lots of it.

Clouds are coming and going, but due to trees Jacques will be a week away for me.

Congrats, it was mine yesterday. Astro stuff last year, MTB gear this year. :)

I caught it as well, I think it was brighter than I ever seen it before.

Good news.Mars and Saturn have provided xcellent views the last two nights.

Agreed, both Mars and Sturn were amazing,.

Mars and Saturn ?

The Straight Wall is great but when the Jupiter transits start I'll be leaving her,

I got a lego 42009 for christmas, first lego set since I was a kid. It took many hours to build and was a lot of fun on rainy, cloud nights. ;)

I know how good that feels. I serviced my MTB last week and feel the same way.

With a cold, clear night expected the wait should be worth it. Last night was superb.

Only 2nd time I have hurt myself in 7 years of off-road riding. These things happen, I feel safer riding btw trees than on the roads, lol. You take care as well.

That route is now off limits for night riding.