BellP

Thanks so muchfor the replies, I think you all have made some very interesting and valid points, and 'Kon' I think you may have hit the nail on the head, something(s) for me to certainly take note of for the future. I really appreciate your input and taking time to help me understand more, and regarding the limitations of certain devices, my shaky hands and not supplying enough information to make informed validations! Thanks everyone. Peter

Hi, I took several (opportunistic) images with my smartphone (handheld) over the weekend,trying different techniques to capture stars etc. In the bottom right hand corner of one image, it appears that I caught maybe(?) the ISS, I didn't see it with the naked eye and wasn't trying to image it, but there is something that I can only assume is the ISS, or possibly another satellite, or object, I would be grateful if someone could help me identify it please, I do have another image and will share that if you think it may help? I don't have any fancy imaging software to enhance it, and hopefully will be able to plan and capture better images in the future. Thanks, Peter

Sorry, of course you did, brain not functioning tonight! No, sadly, my hands are a bit shaky due to a neck problem and so got the usual streaky light blurry image, but at least I got to watch it go over with the satellite so can't be too disappointed, just my luck, it was/is a very clear night here. Next time...

Excellent, good to know, did you manage to get a good image of ISS?

Fantastic, it is amazing what images people get, such clarity and very difficult for a moving image. I tried to photograph ISS tonight (25/05/22, at 22:22 GMT, Kent Engalnd), couldn't get a steady shot, the really annoying thing is, there was a light of about quarter luminosity of ISS, that seemed to be tracking it but from the front. According to NASA app, ISS visibility was: Duration 6mins Approach: 10 degrees above W Departure: 15 degrees above SE I am used to seeing satellites, but this object was following a path I haven't witnessed before, it had no beacon as you see on aircraft and appeared to move from front and in line with ISS, to below, then to the right, at which point ISS seemingly caught it up, the other object then just went out of sight, ISS changed luminosity as you'd expect, but the object never changed, most likely it was a satellite but I can't explain it. Gonna make sure my camera is properly set on a tripod next time it passes.

Thanks for that Stu, I kind of thought as much, I usually have fantastic clear views of the skies, and can easily see a range of satellites and the ISS unaided(although my eyesight is not great) but I get what you are saying, it would be a fair stretch(if not impossible) to see at that magnitude with any of my scopes, the largest being the 5 inch refractor. Methinks I need a bigger scope, but then again if the seeing isn't great that is irrelevant. I will have to make do with other people's images or a live remote telescope if one is trained on it. Thanks again for the info.

Hi, Does anyone know if I would be able to see asteroid "2016 AJ193" with a 5 inch refractor, it is set to be visible with a telescope on 21st August 2021 before sunrise? Thanks, Peter

Indeed a very good picture, it has so many interesting elements and I may try this myself, thanks for the inspiration, the view of the comet is very similar to mine from SE Kent.

Yes, it was around about that time(if memory serves me), it was very bright, also early this morning(22/7) looking at the comet through some 10x25 binos(I always have them at hand) the comet looks quite impressive(although I will get the 15x70s on it, which should be great I imagine), that would also be about 1-2am, there were some neighbouring garden lights on so the LP was a bit problematic.

Haven't got a picture yet, but it is quite clearly visible to the naked eye, I can view it from SE Kent, looking North(ish) straight up the North Sea, oddly enough while trying to find it, I spotted a small but very bright meteor which kind of accidentally passed and kind of burnt out at the point that Neowise is visible, afterr that just a scan across the general area with unaided eyes and the tail is fairly obvious, it does look good through my telescope and is my first comet viewing so really pleased. As a bonus the ISS flew overhead too(but more NW), it was a brilliant accidental vieiwng. I made a fumbling attempt to capture with my phone and telescope but that didn't work. I will try again very soon now I know where it is and use proper camera(stay away clouds).

Hi Bizibilder, or should it be Roger?, Thanks very much for clarifying that, I tried to clean the optics, used wipes that I use for my glasses but still these, they look clean but clearly not so much, what would you recommend, I have tried a few different options but I do always seem to get these blemishes, very frustrating, my eyesight isn't the greatest so anything that would definitively clean them would be great, I realise I should ask this in one of the other forums but glad for any insights?? Particularly as I have just inherited a Prinz 660 telescope from an older friend of mine(I donated to charity on his behalf for it which is what he wanted), the optics as well as being the smaller .956 eyepieces, they are in fairly shocking condition dirt/dust wise. Cheers, Peter

Very good image, looking for some advice really, I took some quick shots using my Nokia 5, a mobile phone clamp to snap through the eyepiece, I know it's not the best but it is a bit of fun until I set up my camera etc.. I defocussed it so get some more magnification, the thing is I am not sure what the image really captures, through the telescope Venus is clear and you could clearly see it much as you have above. The image appears to show craters, I have cleaned the optics and don't think it is a problem with that, would be good to know some thoughts please. Thanks, Peter

Hi Weetooner, Thanks very much for that, that is exactly it, I will be able to sleep now, brilliant!! I can't believe for such a seemingly cheap telescope how solidly built it is. Thanks everyone for your help, I knew someone here would have the answer. Pete

Hi, Sounds intriguing, there are no other words than the one in the picture, I would like to know more about the "Focal" telescope if you have any pictures etc, the only bit of information is it says Japan then <Z> which is actually a diamond shape enclosing the Z, but I can't find a tool to draw one.There are no serial numbers or anything. It is all metal and the focuser and zoom parts are quite rigid and allow for only slow focusing, the focus part is well greased (the sort usually found on machinery, maybe for harsh/outdoor conditions but I'm just speculating that really), not sure if it should be that way??

Thanks, that does look very similar, I'll check the brand to see if they did/do other models, it is unusual to find an instrument with no manufacturer name or mark, the intriguing thing is it is very well made, the optics are dare I say very good, it is quite weighty for its size, I think somewhere around a kilo or more. it does have a very similar bracket underneath to the Zumex one on ebay, the difference being it is a uniform colour and the bracket my telescope has has 2 tripod holes, not sure why it would have 2 but as I say it is quite heavy and about a foot and a half in length. Peter

I have been looking for a while now, I have seen some similar but not quite the same, my quest continues...

Thanks, It all helps, that has some good information, hopefully nearer my answer!

Thanks, It is quite unusual, here is another picture so you can get a better idea of the description, it seems to be quite good optically. Pete

Hi, I was wondering if anyone can help me identify this telescope, it has no manufacturer mark, the only writing on it is: 15x-45x50mm ZOOM TELESCOPE and underneath it says in smaller writing: ACHROMATIC COATED LENS JAPAN and it has a "z" in a diamond shape, please see pictures, it appears to be brown although I am somewhat colour blind, it is solid, and heavy. Also, it has a sticker on it that says 12 PASSED Japn Telscopes Inspection Institute. Look forward to any help you can give. Pete ;