Alien 13

I often wonder about Linux users that perhaps spend days/weeks/months trying to iron out issues for a system that is pretty useless for everyday things when Windows just works... Alan

Not long now Alan

Mint is easy to use and install as a dual boot with windows but it is no replacement, there is just too much it cant do and most of the big boys (software wise) wont touch it. Alan

If you go on price alone the Mak will win against most long fl achromatic s with a similar objective size (i,e, smaller) but they need a huge mount to perform. You cant compare a Mak with an ED frac at the same price because the frac will be 3-4 times or more the price per mm. Alan

I have a few battery banks in my collection, even run my EQ3-2 with one, this is the last one I bought https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01LXWLCI8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Alan

Portability is a key issue, a 10AH mobile phone battery bank costs £10 or less and weighs very little, a 12V system is going to be heavy. Alan

Go for it, you know you want too. I got mine lit up in England colours ready for the footie later. Alan

The full workshop manuals for Alienware laptops are usually freely available off the Dell website should you want to take it apart, might just need a blow out though through the exhaust ports. Alan

I have the Celestron version of the Mak (almost identical) and is is a great little scope for Moon and Planets and plenty of the brighter objects out there. It is my favorite scope that I own. Alan

That 70mm solar scope looks interesting too, would make a nice bundled product. Alan

I find Polaris gets more difficult to spot as the sky darkens when looking through a polarscope, its much easier during twilight or having the LED illuminator (if its possible with the SA) set to a higher intensity so all the fainter stuff gets washed out. Alan

Supply and demand, I am a bit surprised its not at an even higher price, the AZ GTi mount was released ages ago and is a rare as hens teeth even now. Alan

As with 99% of scopes of this type you need a 2 inch extension to get focus with a DSLR if using a FR/FF you can get focus without any other adapter, not sure about a flattener only though... Alan

That sounds like a good idea, I would like something similar that could be used on nights of interest like Meteor showers etc. Alan

I think that there is a reasonable chance it might, CA is a function of f ratio and objective size. I can only find this old chart for normal achros but it gives you an idea. If you extrapolate down to an imaginary 50mm objective it would suggest even normal glass would be ok at around f/6. Alan

This scope ticks all my boxes, travel scope, correct image finder, guide scope, mini white light solarscope, camera lens and it does have style and good looks... Alan

The slack focus rings are a bit of a problem with the kit type lenses but I think there are a few tricks to stiffen them up like a tiny bit of blutack, worth having an internet search. As said the polar alignment on you image looks good and focus is not far off with all the tiny dim stuff in the image so I would say a great effort. Alan

My personal experience is that the camera live view screen (even better if it flips out) is miles better for focusing that any PC screen can manage, use the x 5 then x 10 zoom options and focus on the realy dim stars (these wont show up till focus is very close to optimal). I expect I will get flak for this but do try it and check the in camera settings for ISO which should be temporarily turned high/shutter speed to 20 Seconds and play with the live view screen simulator options too, after focus is set then change the settings to the required positions. Alan

I wouldn't be surprised that at sometime in the future that Mr Musk will re capture the car and return it to Earth, after all that sort of mission will be vital for any Mars exploration. Alan

It was either a nice shiny car or a block of concrete, the ship needed a payload of some description...I know what I would choose. Alan

My initial thoughts are to stick a DSLR on it and image, I like the new green livery btw. Alan

Agreed but what a marketing ploy the first car in space but well deserved, has to be better than another spy satellite though. Alan

Great images, the "dont panic" one will be my favored screen saver for quite some time, just brilliant.. Alan

Couldn't agree more apart from an OMG at the end. Alan

Four minutes Alan