Fozzie
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Posts posted by Fozzie
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I don't check everyday, maybe 1 in 3 but it's been a long time that I've seen anything on the disk in WL, as in pore or even a sun spot..
So quick heads up...
Just need the perma cloud and outrageous damp weather to do one.. feels like it's been a long time for this..
Ta
Fozzie
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45 minutes ago, UKRoman said:
Hi All.
This is my first post on the forums, and what better place to start. After nearly a 20 year absence from practical Astronomy I thought I'd dip my toe back in to see what's changed. So in early December I purchased a Celestron Nextstar Evolution 9.25. As luck would have it it's been pretty cloudy on every occasion I've had the opportunity to get out, so I've only used it once. That got me thinking about my first and only other scope, which I bought in 1992 and I seem to recall having to wait 6 weeks for clear skies before I could use that for the first time. I remember having great fun with it all those years ago. Anyway after some rummaging through cupboards and under beds I finally tracked down all the parts; a Vixen FL102S on a Super Polaris mount. On reassembling it I was quite surprised that it seems to be in very good condition. However compared to modern telescopes with Go To capabilities, the motor drives on the SP mount are very antiquated and slow. Although they do seem to be working. That said, I decided that whilst I wait for clear skies I'd rejuvenate the old girl with a new mount and focuser.
The new mount is Skywatcher AZ-EQ6. I've also fitted a Moonlite focuser to replace the original, which seemed to wobble and grind slightly when moving. The Baadar Sky Surfer V RDF is a new addition to replace the original 6x30 finder, which I never liked. The additional white tube rings serve dual purpose; the rear one now provides a carry handle and the front one is covering up a few small marks on the OTA. The final accessory is a 2 inch diagonal. The wooden box in the picture background is a wonderful storage box for the OTA that my Dad made for me as a birthday present when I first got the scope. All-in-all I'm quite excited at the prospect of trying the old Vixen alongside the new Celestron. All I need now is clear skies :-).
that's my kind of scope, f9 too... yeah noting but loveliness here!!
Im currently drawn to the 115ed that GM has in the classifieds, would have that in a heart beat if I didn't have, mortgage, kids, school fees, nursery fees, child benefit repayments... blah blah blah... im down on kidneys too.... one day I will have a vixen Scope atop my GP... one day!
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Heads up spacex in flight abort Dragon crew capsule at 14:00 utc today... think I've got that right..
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2 hours ago, paulastro said:
Well done Fozzie, sounds as if you we were interrupted by the same cloud as me. Not surprising really as we are near-neighbours
Wasn't expecting to catch anythi g if with the forecast, so pleased with anything tbh.. seems like constant cloud in our neck of the woods for so long.. although I read you've managed quite a consecutive run.. nicely done!
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Did manage to get myself out, in between feeding and bathing the kids.. and the clouds.. managed 5 single subs at 1/250 & iso100 with the 300mm f5.6 on crop sensor... totally cloudy by just after 7 though, and not another glimps for the duration..
Still see some shadow, although the last has more cloud than shadow I think.. left to right in order and top to bottom..
Ta
Fozzie
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It'll be very hard to notice if the forecast over Yorkshire doesn't change....
Thanks for the heads up, I agree perfect way to kick start 2020 asto..
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Like this John.. good idea on the planets... are those coat hangers for hanging the planets on?
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I was lucky enough to see just to one, from 38,000 ft on a Virgin Atlantic 747 somewhere south of Greenland early morning UK time on the 13th... Just happened to glance out of the window at the right moment to catch it overhead.. very bright.. Didn't see another one..
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As the title really, next term in my eldest's reception class the main theme is space, and as part of this there will be a fancy dress day where they can dress up, the categories are
Aliens, Space Ships, Scientist, Astronaut, Rocket or Planet..
This has lead me to start to think of all the whacky options, which I thought might make a good thread.. So lets have them.. (bear in mind I might be obliged to try and make one of the costumes for him!)
Ta
Fozzie
Edit - Why they didn't tell me this last week when I was walking around this and a gift shop... well it's just poor form on the schools behalf
BTW this thing was huge... I mean pick your jaw of the floor huge..
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@xtreemchaos, @Carbon Brush, @Craney Many thanks for the suggestions.. I'd not really thought about a Little Mak, but it makes a lot of sense..
Think What I will do is drop him an email with a link to the excellent "what can I expect to see" pinned thread, a link to LTAO and a couple of scopes so he can make a call on what he thinks his best with his son (for his granddaughter)
Again many thanks
Fozzie
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Afternoon, Newby question from someone who should know better..
One of my directors has approached me this morning for advice on a scope for his 8ry old grand daughter, that in his words "needs to be better than a kids, toy as she is interested" and one that she can use by herself in the garden when here dads not around to take her out (they live in York, North Yorkshire, the Knavesmire was mentioned).
Now we do get a lot of these beginner scope questions, and usually you get a number of different views, all valid to a point of view held or experience.
Personally speaking, I usually, when ever I read a "which scope thread" always lean towards simple and easy. My logic usually revolves around age of person, interests, bed time, parental involvement, to some extent I think about how tech savvy our kids are getting.
My suggestion, bearing the above in mind is usually a evostar90 an either AZ3 or EQ3 or latterly if budget allows the star discovery 90i. thought process behind this is
- at 8 years old the attention span for faint fuzzies is short, (lack of dark adaption from home, not like the pictures disappointment etc..)
- observing will more than likely before a certain time, and involve statement targets.
- a refractor looks like a telescope to most children
- After a short period, the main target will (more than likely) be the moon and maybe some open clusters (especially with the planets as they are at the moment)
- light weight so in time can set up themselves.
- longer FL is easier on EP's
- Left turn at orion book as well.
However, I thought id garner others opinions, as I am a frac man, so could be bias! (the evo90 has given me some memorable views of Jupiter in the past)..
My second choice would be the 130 flextube.. am I underestimating or off the mark?
Any thoughts, don't want to get myself fired if I serve up a duff!
ta
Fozzie
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So I had a further go at the finish... I was having a practice run making a "bath tray" for the wife.. totally jeffed it up which more the norm for my DIY skills,
but at least I got to test the burnt finish on a bigger sample..
From pine to this, is a big difference..
Finished with a light oak varnish..
Ta
Fozzie
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excellent @Lockie got to say the rainbow Astro mount is an impressive bit of kit... Lots of lovely scopes and astro fair.. amazing to how see the likes of @FLO atik RVO take these events so seriously, professionally but with a touch of "one big family" too.. feels like the astronomy is in a good place currenlty!
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That's the support leg fully assembled now..
I've added a rear foot for a bit of weight spread and extra stability..
That's fixed with 4no 6mm dowels and 2 no screws.. the rest of the leg is glued together, for the moment.. debating whether to screw also.. thoughts would be welcomed..
Ta
Fozzie
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6 minutes ago, Stu said:
We are staying local too, looks like we should see something at least near Esher. On my way now.
Good luck @Stu.. just had a look outside, irrespective of the cloud, the wind is blowing a gust, the F11 would be all over even on the skytee..
will just have to watch and wait for the images, and be annoyed for not replacing my little frac after I sold it!
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5 minutes ago, alacant said:
Many, Many Thanks....
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Totally cloudy in Leeds.. and I've not been tempted to bring a scope to work either..
Is there a live feed link anyone cares to share, so those of us under the perma cloud can at least watch?
Good luck if your venturing out... Someone somewhere must be in with a chance!
Ta
Fozzie
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Sorted the 28mm hinge and support leg.. bit more tomorrow hopefully and we are almost done with the main part.. just seat and foot rest to go .
Looks quite robust..
Ta
Fozzie
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Wait.... what?!
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Had another play with the burnt finish, ordered a couple of flap wheels to even out the pressure on the stripping back, and stained with a medium oak varnish... I kind of like it, but I'm not sure I can do it to the entire chair.. that's a big leap!
Hopefully get the support leg constructed this weekend..
Ta
Fozzie
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A few samples....
Just brushed off with some wire wool...
Hhhhmmmmmmm
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So I was just browsing online different finishes for pine furniture (outdoor), and came across this!! A legitimate reason to get the blow torch out!
"Shou Sugi Ban" or "yakisugi-ita" I believe it's pronounced!!..
essentially scorched wood, the process involves burning the wood, cleaning the scorched wood with a wire brush that removes the softer part, leaving the harder grain, and finishing with something...
Essentially, make it, burn it, clean it and finish it! This has got to be worth a try... hasn't it?!
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The longer range is not looking good for Leeds...
From accu weather..
Windy by the looks of it with rain chances....
Nice Tuesday though... typical..
Still along way to go before the 11th, I'll stay optimistic!
Ta
Fozzie
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Hi all,
After reading a few posts, and looking on line at different observing chairs over the last year or so, I decided that it is something I'd like to have a go at making myself.
Ultimately the plan is for a hardwood chair, probably sapele or iroko again, next year, but after work gave me cash for a monthly prize I thought I'd trail the build in redwood pine first.. to check stability, adjustability and generally any pit falls during the "working"
The general design is a typical catsperch, but I've added a few tweaks, and changed a bit based on discoveries as I've built..
Wood list is as follows, all 2400mm long x 20.5mm thick. All redwood pse available of the shelf..
1No 144mm wide, 1No 119mm wide, 3No 94mm wide, 2No 69mm wide and 1No 28mm diameter dowel.
Rough plans are as follows, apologies the paper got damp in the garage, but you get the general idea..
First issue was, the back board was to be 1200mm x 144 x 20.5.. now although I check it (not very well by all accounts!) there was no way I was getting a straight bit out of this bit of wood, it was badly warped (so I made a bird box from it instead for the youngster to paint over his holiday!)
I ended up using the 119mm for the back board, 1200mm long, with a 619mm piece for the foot and, as the chair back is narrower than intended i added a shoulder brace, 419mm long. The backing supports are cut 1375mm long x 94mm x 20.5, these have 38mm diameter holes cut in, 20mm from one side , with areas left for the seat support and fixing the foot/shoulder brace.
After this I cut out the saw tooth seat support halfway through the holes and shaped the end and support areas.. while doing this I had both bits of wood fixed together with clamps so this helped with alignment of the nooks and bits.
I then proceeded to fit the 6mm x 30mm dowels 10No to each side
From there I cut out the foot and shoulder brace..
From here I needed to align the two supports with the seat back, bit of measuring and using a 6.5mm bit instead of 6mm to give some tolerance I hand drilled the dowel holes to the back of the back board.. there is 20mm (of the 30mm dowel) in to the supports and 10mm in to the back board, I marked the 10mm depth (this was actually 12mm) with tape on the drill bit, otherwise id have drilled through no doubt..
And it all fits together, which totally surprised me!
The final chair front looks like this, and is 1438mm high...
I'll update the thread when I complete the back leg, later in the week..
Finishing wise, I've had a few ideas, other than simple stain and varnish, but I'll save that for later, and I'm open to suggestions.
Any feed back greatly appreciated, or advise..
Ta
Fozzie
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DIY wooden tripod
in DIY Astronomer
Posted
Sounds similar to me, best not to rush these things and get it right first time..
Plenty of prep time to get the right tools, and a design your happy with.
I've made a couple of timber tripods, using hubs from an eq5 tripod and a vixen gp tripod, one adjustable and one fixed height.. and I'm not exactly a good dIYer, in fact i struggle to hang those horrible floating shelf, or anything that requires a hole drilled in a wall... so if I can then I'm sure most can..
Links below
Be good to see how you get on
Ta
Fozzie