Neil27

Last nights offering, around 3 hours and a bit of total imaging time. I absolutely love this little scope, it’s so easy to use. Plonk down on the table, switch on, connect, point to object, start imaging!
60 minutes M81 / M82
72 minutes NGC281 - Pac-Man 
66 minutes NGC1499 - California 
All images very quick process in Light Room on the saved JPEG only. Bortle 4 Sky.

Finally first night last night after waiting nearly 2 weeks! It was literally 2 minutes from switching on, connecting to the app, quick level and calibration and then it was imaging and acquiring data, absolutely unbelievable!

Again apologies for another M42 and horse Head but they were tantalising me just above the rooftop of my house. Bortle 5 skies, LP filter used, both JPEG images had a light process In lightroom on my iPad. Disclaimer I’m still learning but it’s fun ….

33 minutes ago, Lee_P said:

I've just finished a guide to using a Seestar for public outreach star parties. This seems like a good place to plug it! It contains some suggested accessory upgrades, example astro targets, set-up diagrams for two different scenarios, and a list of science communication tips for facilitators. I hope it'll be useful to Seestar users!

 

Excellent Lee, particularly like the tablet holder, and the camera adapter for connection of your tripod to the Seestar which is very similar to mine. Also love the red LEDs for the tripod legs, excellent idea.

I’ll be using my trusty IPad for connection and storing pictures, but your right these little smart telescopes are great for showing a group of people the wonders of the night sky. Bravo Lee excellent read and useful resource.

Just ordered this, should do the trick ……. I have enough time on my hands to perfect the set up before the weather clears up! Looks like next Wednesday for a clear night!

Found it, it’s a M10 threaded centre bar for the AZ4, so a female M10 to male 3/8 inch adapter required, some more internet searching to do whilst it’s p**ing down!

Would like some help guys, I have an AZ4 mount and the upgraded tripod, I was thinking of using this with the Seestar. The Seestar is 3/8 inch but I’m unsure of the size of the centre bolt on the AZ4. It looks slightly larger so could be 1/2 inch can anyone confirm please?

3 hours ago, Dave scutt said:

Ordered Monday and arrived today, of course it's raining and not looking good for the next week.

Can't wait to try it out.

 

Yeah, weather not good for a week or so, me and you and a few others are to blame 😂 

12 minutes ago, Stu1smartcookie said:

Great News ,Steve . But you've also brought some very poor weather to us all  ( as from tomorrow ) 

😂 happy for you Steve, same here and it’s shocking for the next week! Apologies!

Arrived as expected, great service from Zoltan @365 Astronomy. Charging and hoping for a clear (ish) night tonight!

The app is so easy to set up, connected first time, could move it around in Scenery mode. Only thing I would have expected is a lens cap just to keep the dust out, anyone know where to get one, thanks.

Clear skies everyone.

Ordered from 365 Astronomy on the 17th November and hopefully arriving tomorrow the 6th December according to the DPD app. Seems like there is more stock around of the SeeStars and waiting times have reduced significantly. Obligatory picture of the sun incoming and clouds, apologies for this!

After looking, pondering, and finally selling a few bits of unused Astro gear, pulled the trigger on a SeeStar.

Now the wait, if I get it before Xmas I will feel extremely lucky! Probably be in time for my birthday in March 😆 

25 minutes ago, Crispy5573 said:

Thanks Dan I have seen something about balancing by checking with a  volt/amp meter until there is zero load. It seems like a bit of a fuss but I only change scopes a few times a year so once it's done apart from a quick check that should be it for a while. 

Hi, I had a Mesu mark 2 for a few years and balancing the mount was not an issue at all. As it is a mark 2 the motors can be disengaged from the friction drive making it extremely easy. I just balanced it as a normal mount and never had any issues. The biggest issue I found is getting used to Sitech!

Sad news indeed, RIP John and condolences to his family and friends.

Always willing to give advice and a helpful comment, will be missed.

10 hours ago, fwm891 said:

A reprocess of LDN1235 (the Shark). Circa 45 subs ranging between 300s and 600s processed in PI to linear phase then BlurETraction applied followed by StarEXtraction. Star layer and shark layers then processed separately and recombined with pixelmath.

I hope you don't mind the reprocessing...?

Looks great Francis and it makes the nebula really ‘pop’ out from the previous version, where I think it got lost in the sea of stars.

PS - time to change you signature 😉 I spy my camera!

On 06/07/2022 at 11:10, Adam J said:

I was always worried that that filter adaptor would cause vignetting on the Esprit 100, any issues?

Adam

Hi Adam,

I haven’t tried it in anger yet, a lengthy spell of hospital for my mum and other issues have prevented me from even looking at my gear atm. Hopefully it will all settle down just in time for the dark nights, hopefully!

2 hours ago, Astroscot2 said:

Hello Neil, can I ask if your focuscube came with 2 bracket options?

Hi Mark,

Let me confirm tonight, I’ll PM you.

Pegasus descended from the heavens over the last few days. Courtesy of RVO and great service as always.

1 pocket powerbox advance, 1 Focus Cube v2, and a standard dew heater.

Clear skies everyone 🔭💫

16 hours ago, ollypenrice said:

Oh how I love the Servocat-Argonavis version. In the last ten years I don't think I have ever read a post asking why this or that didn't work. I have no intention of upgrading my difficulties!

😁lly

You obviously Love it so much Olly one has to let the world know twice …. 🤪😉

I envy the simple set up, but alas I can’t see how my Mesu would work otherwise without a PC in the mix?

I like the idea of tablet control, like the ZWO Asair set up but for the life of me neither have the technical skill or faintest idea of how that would work!

Also I would like to hold my hands up and declare the only issue I have ever had with the mount was entirely my own ineptitude and lack of knowledge. When set up and running, these mounts are fire up and forget! Touch wood 🙃😉

On 18/05/2022 at 13:28, tomato said:

Thanks all for the replies. Before I saw them, I tried to download the latest file from the forum, but you’ve guessed it Win 10 wouldn’t have it, too much of a security risk..

So I used some dodgy shareware to transfer it from an iPad download, how does that make sense Microsoft?

In the midst of the head scratching last night I managed to initiate a go to with the RA lock on😳 but after this it was guiding at 0.35”.

What a mount…

I had that the other night after upgrading my observatory PC from an ageing 9 year old Lenova to a spanking brand new Beelink. The software download gave me loads of warning, just clicking through them allowed the download to continue and finally, SiTech exe and SiTech config files appeared on my desktop and in the windows folders.

The joy of now getting my new PC talking to the mount now awaits …. Again 😊

Glad you got it sorted though @tomato, although it does seem a convoluted way of getting the download to work!

Hi,

Michael gave me an idea and I found this - https://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/archive/index.php/t-15716.html

John, it may be worth joining that forum and putting a few feelers out?

Good luck.

Hi John,

Not really sure on value but having previously owned its smaller sibling the 75mm it was one sweet scope. Built like tanks and a very secure and positive focuser.

You may have more luck searching on the web for an Australian Astronomy forum, not sure if one exists though? I did a little poking around and came across a recent discussion regarding your telescope here - https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/805327-pentax-125sdp-150sdp/

Also found an auction on Astromart in the US for a 125sdp scope, some time ago (say 17 years ago 😂) -https://astromart.com/auctions/astronot-auctions/show/pentax-sdp-125-f64-astrograph-1136

Value I guess it’s whatever someone is willing to pay really. The Pentax scopes do have almost ‘a mythical’ quality about them due to their rareness. Are you sure you want to sell? My next step would possibly be trying to contact sellers in Japan or the states as there may be collectors who want these specific make or type of telescopes for their collection.

Good luck whatever you decide, you certainly have a rare scope in your hands.  

So sad to hear this. I wavered between the GTD mount and the Mesu mount. His help and knowledge along with his frank assessments of my requirements persuaded me to choose the Mesu.

A wonderful, honest and brilliant engineer. Condolences to his family.

@astronomer2002 same, I have the newer e200 and the Sitech v1 control system works fine. The interface looks ‘old school’ and reminds me of windows 3.1 but it just works. Once set up you can just forget about it.

19 hours ago, phill76 said:

lol, that is the biggest joke ever! sorry, excuse me for laughing. if I don't, I will find myself booking a ticket to the Netherlands to pay a visit in person.

 We was told 3 weeks ago to expect an email from the courier and I've lost count how many times i have purged my junk folder in the hope of finding something positive from my investment I made 3 YEARS ago ( march 30th 2019) 

I have no doubt we will receive a mount at all. my doubt is what year it will be.  

 

I was a believer all those years ago, now i am just a sceptic. 

Hope you get delivery soon Phil, it’s been a long journey for you.

I feel your pain, I used to live in the midlands and had opposite me a gentleman who would flood his garden with his light show every evening, pond lights, walkway lights, security lights, lights around the fence posts (🙄!) the usual stuff!. A polite chat one day by chance whilst out walking had a positive effect, especially when I told him after he enquired what I was up to, ‘in my funny looking garden shed’ at night! I even showed him my observatory. I mentioned the effects of light pollution and how it can have an overwhelming effect on enjoying the night sky.

A few days later, several security lights had been removed, many of his garden lights were switched off or reduced in intensity and rather than just ‘another annoying neighbour’ he became more interested in my hobby!

So there are success stories as well as tales of woe. Ironically I have moved to Lincoln now and enjoy bortle 4 skies, near dark totality as all the street lights are switched off after midnight, heaven! And many of the neighbours understand and are aware of my hobby. It could all change, new family moves in etc but I always find having a chat and trying the personal touch works more times than not.