jetstream

I'd love a 152mm top refractor but alas it would still only be 152mm and I like more aperture in most cases. That and the wife would not be happy if I purchased one

All the bubbles in the LZOS glass give more surface area to cool faster

good luck and let us know if you will, as always I'll put the result in the memory bank.

You got a Baader SCT lockring? part # 2458270, pretty sure this is what YKSE used.

https://agenaastro.com/baader-2-90-star-diagonal-zeiss-prism-2406010.html Pretty sure this is mine "On the eyepiece side, the 2" eyepiece holder can be unscrewed. This will expose an inverter ring with an SCT male thread (2" x 24TPI). Removal of this inverter ring then exposes an SCT female thread on the diagonal body. On the telescope side, the nosepiece can also be unscrewed, exposing SCT female threads on the housing. Hence, this diagonal can be closely coupled with an SCT telescope (using the optional SCT lockring) to provide the shortest physical connection for fork-mounted telescopes with limited base clearance. It can also be used with a variety of other Baader T-2 system components (sold separately) for various adaptations."

Mine just unscrews-but these fine threads can lock up. Placing the palm of the hand over the adapter and pushing while turning can help. Mine is a Baader/Zeiss 2" prism diag with no markings on the body, no idea if yours is exactly the same. I'll go get it tomorrow from the sea can and compare.

I took mine off and replaced it, it took a bit of doing but it came off- not that I'm recommending use of force. Mine is about 6 -7 yrs old.

This place looks great John!

Campfires not only get rid of the years brush but its a social thing- we like them too and will have a bonfire in October. They do kill dark adaptation though!

Yes, totally agree Stu, a dark, transparent sky is mesmerizing. Fall is a great season here, no bugs, clear skies (usually) and really nice cool temps.

👍 Yes! wherever Dartmoor is lol! John picked the perfect spot- getting in low in a valley (even if the valley is raised). The best DSO spots I've found are like this- the trees and dark vegetation absorb natural, intrusive skylight and provide a great dark "nest" to observe from. Eagerly waiting reports Stu!

Yes, sound carries so well over the lake- last night my German Shepherd was left in the house as I went down to observe.He is very keen about his surroundings and noises. He was OK as I set up as he knows my sounds etc. As I sat quietly observing I went for another eyepiece- the sound was not typical for him coming from the lake obs. He started growling and barking- hes very very loud- and I said "Nico" its me! lol! He stopped the commotion. As he was doing his thing a flashlight lit up across the bay about 1km, waving it around all over the place. I'm sure his barking sounded like it was right at their camp. After I quieted him down, the flashlight went out and stayed off. Barking dogs are also a sign of a nearby bear and the thought crossed my mind when I was down at the lakeshore 50 yds from the house... he stopped when I told him to so I knew I was ok. I like hearing of the stories Magnus! keep em coming! ps yeah, I can be long winded...😀

I see no "need" to go bigger than 120mm with a frac and the TSA120 works superbly. Mind you I have lots of "wants and desires" with respect to larger fracs.

👍 A great adventure ONIKKINEN! Yes in the forest its very difficult to see but out in the open across a lake I find it easy to see the tree line as the MW in particular provides light, time of year dependent. We used to navigate these lakes at night using the tree lines pre gps.Winter gets very dark, MW diminished but I still find the snow and ice brightens things up in the open. A digital watch can wreck true dark adaptation- I wear no watch observing. Eagerly waiting reports! Sounds like a drive will bring you to vg darkness.

We live in NW Ontario, approx 30 miles from Quetico as the crow flies on a lake that our indiginous neighbors call gojiji-zaaga'igan. The population density is .1 person/km, eventhough right at the small local cabin spots will be a bit higher. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unorganized_Rainy_River_District

The title not only describes some nebula I saw but also the skies. The sky cleared this evening nicely, dead calm, not one wave on the lake where I set the VX10 up. The lower Milky Way was reflecting off the calm water as well as piles of stars which made a surreal setting to observe in. The SQM -L registered 21.93 (multiple times) once warmed up with a couple of 22's in there, but we'll discount those as I dont believe it. Centered on the Milky Way the SQM gave 21.7. the typical quarter mag brightness difference. Brighter stars were visible to the tree line. Off to the Swan nebula. Easily visible no filter, the TV OIII was enlisted to bring more out. The 20mm APM 100 gave a nice bright view with the lower loop showing. The 18ES 82 really brought the lower loop out but at the expense other nebulosity. The Lagoon, what can I say- extremely bright no filter and nicely cut up in the interior with. I mentioned the VX10 was a high contrast scope so... M24. A true favourite and the jet black dark nebula here never disappoint, what an object. Inspired I went over to Tarazed and Barnards E nebula- jet black and I mean black, with the E showing vividly. Here both EPs worked well, maybe the nod to the 20mm APM. I love these dark nebula. Well the Pillars of Creation were calling in the Eagle nebula... yeah theyre still calling- my bigger scopes lol! I did get hints of small indents in the "bottom" of the nebula (yes, newt orientation) but the view was just not like in the other dobs. I'll call it a swing and a miss with a couple of features recorded. I also wanted to try @Nyctimene's PN challenge mentioned in an earlier thread, but a strategic mistake placed me in the trees when moving the scope in the squares direction. Next time. So much more observed but I wont bore everyone with it. The wife and I went over to the dock for a hour or so just looking at the MW and its reflection off the water. Near neighbours were out with a bonfire, with others across the lake a kilometer away, chatting, most likely enjoying this great night too. Sound really carries across calm water. What a night.

The bottom line is using something to observe with that works, NV will work very well from urban skies and even better rural. For me astronomy is more than just using equipment - its an experience all in itself sitting in dark skies listening to the wilderness.

lol! To each their own, personally I love being in complete darkness and observing the sky, with a scope, but almost more importantly without. I can sit there for hours looking up.

Some say its impressive watching an observer on a ladder I'm not sure watching someone with a little frac evokes the same response

If I want to watch TV I'll fire up the QLED Samsung I prefer to get contrast from dark skies regardless of the scope

Wanna put it up against my VX10? Rumour around the campfire is that this scope offers superb contrast...

I hear you- I just got done hauling my VX10 down to the pad right on the lakeshore. Havnt used it in a while but it sure is good to put it back in use. Your 12" 5.3 is even better 👍

Got to get you frac guys on the right track!

Excellent!!

Perfect, thanks Calvin, I must dig out my copy and take a look.