groberts

I have played around using Baader Solar Film before to observe and image the sun but having recently purchased a Starfield 102ED f7 refractor,  I would now like to step up another level - what equipment would you recommend?

I'm thinking a Herschel Wedge is the way to go, perhaps this one:  https://www.firstlightoptics.com/solar-filters/starfield-2-herschel-solar-wedge-v2.html  + is this OK with my current 1.25" eyepieces, which I also intend to ungrade later - see signature below for details

What do you get to see using a Herschel Wedge i.e. how much better than solar film is it and in which way + what additonal filters would help.

For the moment I'm just thinking of observing but as my main interest is imaging, I will inevitably want to do this too - any thoughts on cameras that would work well with this scope etc?

Graham 

I recently purcha
Can you please suggest a good Herschel Wedge to go wit this cope + any other items (filters?) that I might need + availability?

+ what sort of camera would work well?

This Spring I’ve been imaging the spectacular Leo Galaxy Cluster, a mere 330 million light-years from Earth.  Containing at least 70 major galaxies, the Leo Cluster unusually consists mostly of spiral galaxies, which are best seen here cropped from the original widefield image.   The ability for an amateur to image something like the Leo Cluster from my back garden was exciting and very rewarding.

Graham

Imaged from home in Redhill, Surrey

William Optics GT81 + ZWO ASI294mm Pro

L x 30 @ 180 sec

R x 31 @ 180 sec

G x 31 @ 180 sec

B x 31 @ 180 sec

Total integration: 6h 9min  

Once again, thanks to all for your thoughts. 

I'm going to spend a bit more time re-aquainting myself with the existing EPs first, especially the SVBONY 3-8 to see if I can get more comfortable with the eye relief.

Then I'm erring towards Morpheus and / or StellaLyra UFF + maybe a zoom later?

Just to check, when using these larger (physically) EPs will they be OK with the Powermate x2.5?

Graham

21 hours ago, Mr Spock said:

714 / 24 = 30
714 / 15 = 48

714 / 3-8 = 238 - 89

 

OK I see you now were including the SVBONY, thought it was just the StellaLyra UFF!  I need to spend some more time with the SVBONY but at the moment it might be in the Classifides soon - finding thr eye relief too short with spectacles.

56 minutes ago, Second Time Around said:

I'm a great fan of zooms and have used 5.

The best is the APM Super Zoom, that I found even better than the Baader.  It has a constant 66 degree field of view.

I haven't tried the very expensive Leica though.  This is because it doesn't accept a Televue Dioptrx astigmatism corrector that I prefer to wearing glasses.  Both the Baader and the APM accept a Dioptrx, although the eyecup of the Baader revolves when you zoom, making it fiddly.

Neither have I tried the Svbony 3-8mm as there would be insufficient eye relief for me.  Instead I prefer the APM plus a Barlow.

If I may, a couple of questions:

1. What's the eye relief of the APM?

2.  Looking around, I see that using the AMP as 1.25" can be a problem - any thoughts?

2 hours ago, John said:

Divide the focal length of the scope by the focal length of the eyepiece.

 

Yes I get that  - but don't see how the eyepieces suggested + the Starfield 102 f/7(FL 714mm)  (+ Powermate?) results in the magnication numers quoted

On 11/04/2024 at 11:59, Mr Spock said:

You already have the Svbony 3-8, which would have been my recommendation for planets. If you are sticking to 1.25" fitting, then the 24mm UFF would be my next choice along with the 15mm. That will give you x30, x48 and the range x89 to x238.

Thanks Michael - how do you arrive at numbers quoted?

Graham

10 hours ago, RT65CB-SWL said:

What is your budget? There are a couple of TeleVue Radian’s in the for sale section.

I have and use the 6 & 8mm and they are very good.

Thanks - without wishing to be flippant, budget is not the issue here it's getting a couple of eyepieces will really transform my viewing with the Starfield. IMO I'm sure that FOV and eye relief are a problem for me, so want to make sure whatever road I go down this time those issues are dealt with.

As a matter of interest, is there a zoom eyepiece that might do the trick, thus provide greater flexibility?

Graham 

A brief thank you for the suggestions, which are much appreciated. 

This weekend will now be spent trawling through the details.

Graham

Thanks Michael - any in particular?

Only recently got the Svbony 3-8 and, despite glowing reviews, have so far been disappointed - I think the FOV + eyepiece is a problem for me.

Graham 

In an attempt to broaden my interest in astronomy and occasionally share my hobby with the family and grandchildren (who are already interested), I recently acquired a Starfield 102 f/7 refractor.  I intend to use it for some of the larger / brighter DSOs and variable stars etc but especially for the family and therefore expect the planets, moon and solar will be their most favorite targets.

As we all know in the UK, it's not been the best for clear skies recently but I have managed a couple of short sessions using the Starfield and after a gap of 10-years have enjoyed getting back to observing, though,not surpringly I still struggle with some of my eyepieces to get the best of views, almost certainly because I wear spectacles and in most cases  (I suspect) find the FOV and eye relief inadequate. My signature below lists my current eyepieces, of which I really only get on with the 20mm & 32mm plossls and the Ultra-wide + Long eye relief 6mm.

I would appreciate any recomendations for maybe a couple of other eyepieces that would improve my viewing, bearing in mind the above objectives and problems (planets and spectacles).  I believe since I last did any observing there are some very good eyepieces now available that might be better suited to my needs?

Graham 

Many thanks for the comments, much appreciated.  Like most of us in the UK, my imaging has been severely curtailed this winter and I had to eke out a few minutes here and there between the rain and clouds even to get this, so was keen to make the most of the data.

Graham   

Following a gap of six years, I thought it was time to revisit the Rosette Nebula again this year, hoping to capture even better its unique and complex beauty.  Unfortunately, the skies here have been awful since last November and, as a result, imaging possibilities have been very limited.  However, over five nights from January to March I was eventually able to obtain 9-hours of 10-minute Ha, OIII and SII subs.  I’m pleased with the final SHO image, which successfully displays the intricate details and colours that arise from the make-up and dynamic processes that makes the nebula so popular.  Furthermore, experimenting with an HSS palette produced an alternative and exciting image of the rose of night sky.

Graham

Equipment William Optics GT81 + ZWO ASI294MM

Ha 18 x 600 sec

OIII 18 x 600 sec

SII 18 x 600 sec

RGB 20 x 60 sec each

Total Integration: 10 hr

Location: Redhill, Surrey

After more than 10-years away from observing, I recently decided to get a mid-range refractor to mostly dedicate to observing again: (a) for something to do whilst imaging (b) for the occasional gaps in the clouds that might permit observing but not long or clear enough for imaging (c) to take to dark sites and (d) to share views with my family, in particular my grandchildren.  After looking around and with the help of others on this forum I purchased a Starfield 102 ED f7 and after the ineviable wait for clear skies last night was First Light for the Starfield and I wasn't disappointed.

This scope is a step-up in quality from what I'd used before and the impact was obvious with my views of the Moon, which was crystal sharp; it's easy to take the moon for granted, or the enemy when imaging, but last night it was a real joy to view.  In the time available I then went on to a few popular winter stars that ares still about with equally good results: Sirius, Betleguese, Alderbaran and Procyon. Finally moved back to Orion and had an excellent view of M42 and some of it's components.

Alll together it was a good return to observing and bodes well for more ambitious objects in the future.

Graham

Never used anything else but CdC with ASCOM for over 10-years on various rigs and find it to be excellent i.e. if it ain't broke, don't fix it.  Many thanks to Patrick.

Graham

It’s been 8-years since I last dabbled with imaging this exciting object and for good reason.  From my position, this bird flies at a maximum 28^o low on the southern horizon and, furthermore, spends much of its time behind houses, trees, and tall hedges, thus providing just two short windows for imaging; combined with this winter’s terrible weather it made for a tough but ultimately rewarding target.  Despite the difficulties posed, each of the Ha, OIII and SII wavelengths are strong, making for good data acquisition and a pleasing final image.

Graham

Imaged over 4-nights between 18th January & 12th February 2024 from Redhill, Surrey, UK 

William Optics GT81 + ZWO ASI294MM camera

Ha 16 x 10mins

OIII 13 x 10mins

SII 14 x 10mins

Total Integration 7hr 10 mins    

Located northeast (left) of Pleiades, south of California Nebula and north (above) of Aldebaran, spanning more than 30^o of the night sky is the Taurus Molecular Cloud (TMC), a rich area of dark nebulae punctuated by bright areas of new star formation.  The image captures numerous, complex dark nebulae across the field-of-view, including Barnard 10 & 214, LDN 1495 & VdB 27, together with bright reflection nebulae LBN 782 & 785 and the odd galaxy – if you look carefully.

Captured over x4 night from 6th November to 15th January between the otherwise unrelenting cloud & rain!

Graham

William Optics GT81 & ASI294MM camera

Redhill, Surrey

Total Integration 11hr 30m

L 50 x 5m

R 30 x 5m

G 31 x 5m

B 27 x 5m

Thanks for everyone's help.

FYI in the end I increased the budget a bit and have ordered a Starfield 102 F7 ED yesterday from FLO which should be with me in a few weeks.  Looking forward to some good views of the night sky again.

Graham

19 hours ago, Mr Spock said:

If you are not imaging and observing at the same time why not just use the one scope?

Because I like to have each rig set-up dedicated, so I just have to take it out + clamp it on the mount + connect and I'm imaging / reverse when finished, also my calibration library for each rig remains good for months.

I'm liking what I see with the SW 102 but will this really get good results with the planets?  An SCT is a possibility to get more aperture but I do find refractors just easy to use.

Meanwhile , been following the thread on Small aperture APO for Visual on SGL but surely these are just too small for good planetary viewing? 

A slight diversion - seen elsewhere somethting like a Panoptic can have a positive impact on viewing (particularly as I wear glasses), I realise it bumps the budget up somewhat but maybe a price worth paying if it helps get the result I want.  

Graham               

I started my astronomy journey +10 years ago, initially observing with a Skywatcher 150 newtonian but soon thereafter sold this and moved to an Apo refractor + AZEQ6-GT mount for imaging, which has been my passion ever since.  I've just bought an AM5 mount which I eventually intend to combine with a new dedicated apo refractor (100 - 120mm) and camera but am also thinking of occasionally using it with an inexpensive refractor (a) to re-awaken my oberving interest (b)  for those times when there's a sufficient  clear sky for observing but not imaging = much of the time (c) to take away from time-to-time for casual observing in darker skies (it's Bortle 6'ish here at home) i.e. portable and, in particular (d) to share views with other family members, especially the grandchildren who already show great interest in grandad's images!  Bearing in mind the latter (granchildren), I feel it needs to produce decent views of the planets and moon + (for me) maybe larger DSO's and variable stars etc.

For ease-of-use I'd prefer a refractor  but what sort (aperture) is going to deliver the aforementioned objectives?  Given my other astronomy plans, budget is maybe up to £500 new or second-hand if something suitbale came up.  I already have a set of plossl eyepieces (6 / 10 / 20 / 32mm) and a x2 Barlow and x2.5 Powermate + light pollution. moon & UHC 1.25" filters.  Looking at other reviews on SGL and online I wonder if something like the SW 102 would do the job?

Graham

Hi Mike,

Well it was re-installed for me by the retailer (PC-Specialist) as it was still under warranty (just).  How do I check if I have admin rights + what do I need to do if I haven't?

Graham 

Following the corruption of my SSD hard drive I'm having to reinstall and recover all my files and programmes on my laptop for processing. 

At the moment all the folders default to Read Only so when I run a pre-processing stacking programme it cannot write the processed subs and stacks to the relevant folder.  Is there an easy way to remove the Read Only either for each folder or better still globally?

Graham

I need to get dew straps for (1) my WO GT 81 - circumferance 330mm, and (2) a WO 50mm guidescope - circumferance 185mm, and wonder how exact the fit needs to be?

FLO have recommended this Lynx Astro 30cm for the GT81, which of course is 30mm too short, does this matter / is there an alternative elsewhere that will fit better? 

Staying with  Lynx equivalent for the guidescope would be either be 150mm or 200mm - same question, which one or is there a better fit?

Graham

Nacreous clouds, look fabulous + were highlighted in The Times yesterday.

Graham

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/mother-of-pearl-clouds-uk-weather-forecast-norway-lgg26njnk
 

7 minutes ago, StevieDvd said:

On the ASIAir (apart from the first version) the power ports can be set to control the dew strap power style, they just need a 2.1mm connection instead of a phono plug. I don't believe there is a non ZWO controller that can be controlled from the ASIAir.

 

 

Thanks, I thought about that - so you just vary the amp setting via the ASIair?  I wonder oif there's a maxium limit?

Graham