rwilkey

Hi Simon, to pick on these couple of points, on the diagonal problem, I use a self-centering adaptor all the time, found here: https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/revelation-self-centering-2-to-1.25-eyepiece-adaptor.html Table-wise, the best and most solid table I have ever found is this one, it doesn't budge or bend, it might as well be a brick wall, it punches well above its meagre looks: https://www.mogodirect.co.uk/mogo-rectangular-folding-plastic-trestle-table-l1220-x-w600mm-4-x-2/ Clear skies!

Hi Simon, to answer your original question, only the mount needs to be aligned, not the scope.

Hi Matt, we are lucky here in Swindon because we (Swindon Stargazers) have permission to use the Blakehill Farm Nature Reserve near Swindon, we have also done one public stargazing event there, though, surprise surprise, it was clouded out, info found here: http://www.swindonstargazers.com/noticeboard/blakehillfarm.htm

Hi Paz, great advice there from Piero, I have the 31NT5 and the ExSc 30mm 80 degree series, and both give stunning views of the night sky, even at f/9; at f/7 it should knock your socks off! Clear skies!

Hi Paz, that's a stunning refractor, mine is also on a Porta II mount, very stable I think!

Hi Michael, happy birthday for the 21st and what a lovely birthday present at a good price. Clear skies!

Hi Will, I would recommend the AZ5, it looks pretty 'grab n' go', I am thinking of buying this one for my wife who prefers quick set up times, found here: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-az5-deluxe/sky-watcher-az5-deluxe-alt-azimuth-mount.html

Hi Frank, there are good many finders out there somewhere that you can use eyepieces in, allowing you to use more comfortable low power ep's, such as this one by Baader (10 x 60): https://www.tringastro.co.uk/baader-vario-finder-10x60-with-mqr-iv-1841-p.asp

Hi FMA and welcome to the forum! Before you buy anything for astrophotography you must buy a book called 'Making Every Photon Count' by Steve Richards, it may save you from some expensive mistakes, found here: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/books/making-every-photon-count-steve-richards.html

Hi Simon, I have always preferred hard-standing surfaces, in my opinion more stable than grass. On the groundsheet question, I have seen this too and can only presume it is to stop things getting lost, it certainly has no impact on dewing up. Welcome back to the hobby BTW. Clear skies!

Our speaker for February will be Dr Jane Clark. She will be speaking on 'Orbits in the Solar System' Jane Clark is an amateur astronomer who earns her living as an engineer. She has a Ph.D. in physics and an MBA from Warwick University. She completed two years of postdoctoral training at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio before returning to England to begin an industrial career. She became interested in both astronomy and photography as a teenager in the 1970s, photography much more seriously, although as her career progressed and family commitments increased, both interests lapsed. She acquired a telescope in 2006, shortly after completing her MBA, and quickly became hooked on observing. This experience made her realize that astronomy is a lot more fun than business administration. She is a member of Bristol Astronomical Society. More details found here: http://www.swindonstargazers.com/clubdiary/clubdiary.htm

I have stopped going to this show, the ones I have been to were heaving and over two or three floors, no good for someone partially disabled like myself.

Hi Mick, a warm welcome from me way down south, some great images you have there, I love the Milky Way one with the Moon rising - brilliant. Clear skies!

Hi Rob, if you are just doing visual then near enough is good enough, however, if you are interested in doing astro-photography then I would wait for others to chip in as this area is a mystery to me!

Hi Dean, a warm welcome from me too, sounds like you are pretty much sorted. Clear skies!

Hi Simon, the Baader Hyperions will work well in your f/10 but not in the Newtonian f/3.5, as John refers above. Have you considered the BST StarGuiders which work well in most scopes, they also have 16mm eye relief which should be good with spectacles, found here: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/bst-starguider-eyepieces.html

Another warm welcome from across the pond. Clear skies!

Hi Vin, very interesting reading, I doubt if I would change, for me the 13T6 is as clear and sharp as I can appreciate with these old eyes, however, the 13 LVW gives it a good run for the money, my original ep in this range.

The Masuyama 45mm eyepiece (53º AFoV) will show less sky than the 82º Series ExSc eyepiece as Vlaiv's illustration clearly shows above, therefore I cannot see the point of pursuing it any further, esp. with the exit pupil equation taken into account. The 30mm ExSc eyepiece is a superb piece of equipment so my advice is to stick with that, you cannot improve on it.

Hi Eugene, welcome to the forum! I would suggest you use the current finder & eyepieces to start with and get used to how the telescope works and its ergonomics, telescopes are strange things at first but a little practice will help you a great deal. Clear skies!

The sky is your oyster, anything is possible with your scope and some well chosen eyepieces, I would recommend the BST StarGuiders, found here: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/bst-starguider-eyepieces.html But don't rush, see how you get on with the supplied eyepieces first. Clear skies!

I agree with the above, you are probably using both 1.25" and 2" adapters when you should only use one or the other. It is the most common mistake for a new owner.

Hi Lee, a warm welcome from me too way down south. Clear Skies!

Our speaker for the 17th January is Ian Smith: 'Imaging Planetary Nebula', 7:30pm at Liddington Village Hall, Swindon, directions found here: http://www.swindonstargazers.com/clubdiary/directions01.htm

Hi Jon, a very warm welcome to the Lounge from me way down south. Clear skies!