F15Rules

On 15/02/2022 at 17:10, Joacim said:

My grab & go setup, and the reason I need one 😀

That pram looks to be a perfect fit for your scope..

Is it made by Oklop??🙃

Dave

12 hours ago, markse68 said:

2 clear nights in a row, no moon and no wind- what’s going on?!? Taking advantage of this unheard of break in the weather, while the newt is imaging NGC 2403, thought i’d bring the Tal 100rs up to the rooftop observatory and am trying in vain to split Sirius 🤣 It’s still cooling down so maybe later 🤞Lots of purple halo at the high powers needed… shame the moon’s not up 😉

Mark

 

Have you tried a filter, Mark?

I only have a moon filter but it definitely helped me with splitting Sirius the other night..a darker one might help you in your location?

Dave

Thanks Steve😊.

It's been a great week for astro here this week.. the seeing has been the best I can recall since we moved here, and we've had 4 consecutive night of such skies, with another forecast for this evening.

I'm hoping to get out tonight, and will try hard to ignore Orion and look elsewhere...it's difficult though!!😂😂

Dave

Thanks Huddo..and welcome to SGL!😊👍

Dave

Part 3. 

It was a nice change to use the old Vixen achromat in Altaz Mode on my SP mount..the motions on both axes are very smooth indeed, with zero shudder or backlash.

I observed pretty much the targets I looked at the previous night in the Tak, and the results were very interesting..

M42 - Batwings and Fishmouth were well seen and the main 4 Trap stars were cleanly resolved. Initially I could see no sign of E or F. However, after a while and as my dark adaptation improved, I could see the E star intermittently with the 9mm Morpheus at 115x. No F star could be seen. 

Iota Orionis - I was pleased to see all 4 components including the faint 4th star (c 11th magnitude) which although faint, was very clearly visible with direct vision.

Sigma Orionis - Triple, nice and clear view of each component

Alnitak (Zeta Ori) was split at 266x, I was very pleased with this as it's often not an easy one!

I mentioned the great, unvignetted views through the Vixen, using the Axiom LX 82 deg 23mm 2" UWA..

Well, moving to Perseus, the view of the Double Cluster with the Axiom LX 23mm was just lovely, with the Circlet Asterism very clear at just 45x, and both clusters contained in the same fov. Everywhere I looked across the field there were stars, a real panorama. I've also used this eyepiece on M42, and the Auriga open clusters and Pleiades..I bought this, based on good reviews, and the desire to replace my much missed Vixen LVW 22mm, one if the best eyepieces I've ever used (but now just not available used at all!). I'm glad to say that this Axiom 23 is a worthy replacement..it's a big, heavy eyepiece, to be sure, but lovely build and, at 82 degrees fov, much wider than the 65 degree Vixen.

After Perseus it was off to Theta Aurigae, another tough double at times, even though the distance is 4", due to the inequality in magnitudes..a very clean split at 166x with the BGO 6mm.

Finally, to Sirius..here was the highlight of the session..

I was using  a 6mm BGO with 1.6x Barlow and moon filter (x266) .. I could clearly see two Fresnel rings around Sirius.. and there was the Pup blinking in and out between 12 noon and 1pm (refractor view with diagonal prism in place)!

This observation was so pleasing..it took me several years from when we moved here to split the Pup with the FS128, and now not long afterwards, I have been able to get the split with the humble Vixen achro! The moon filter definitely helped to reduce scatter (and CA in the case of the Vixen).

In summary, the Vixen is clearly not an apo or a Tak, but is a fine scope, well able to deliver wonderful views when used with decent eyepieces, and (in case anyone is tempted, they do come up for sale every now and then at very reasonable prices) 👍😊.

Thanks for reading and clear skies to all..not looking too bad in the next few nights forecast.

Dave

Part 2.

The second session was on Wednesday evening..the wind had really picked up this time, although the seeing, strangely, was even better than the previous night..Sirius hardly twinkling at all, and the transparency was very good, about the same.

Thus time, I wheeled out my trusty old Vixen SP102, on SP mount and in Altazimuth configuration (I just love that this mount can do both EQ and Altaz so well..why don't more modern mounts do this???).

I used the same focuser grwar as the night before, diagonals, eps etc.

I found an adapter with a thread on the scope end that threads straight into the chromed end tube of the scope (not 1.25", it's wider than that), and a T2 thread on the other end which connects straight into the body of the Zeiss T2 prism.

This is great, as the free aperture of the Zeiss T2 is 34mm - the exact same as the field stop on my Axiom 23mm LX 2" eyepiece..so, by using a 2" Clicklock on the eyepiece side, I can use the Axiom with no vignetting, allowing the full 82 deg fov of the Axiom to be used. The result is superb, low power, widefield views through the SP 102m..I'll detail these in Part 3..

Dave

That's great Mike, and your new "Big Gun" is a beauty!

I look forward to following            it's,/his/her exploits to come!😊

Dave

I've been lucky enough this week to enjoy two of the best sessions I've had since moving from the Midlands to the Lincolnshire Wolds almost 5 years ago.

The first one was Tuesday night..flat calm, with very good seeing and transparency. I used Trinity, my FS128 refractor, on a driven eq mount and an assortment of good quality eyepieces. I alternated between Astro Tech Dielectric and TS Optics Quartz 2" diagonals.

I also used an Astro Physics 2" Barlow which I've recently acquired, and am still getting to know.

Key highlights of the session were:

M42 Orion. E and F both readily seen with direct vision. As my dark adaptation improved, the amount of detail visible, swirls, eddies and so on was startling..the longer I looked, the more I saw.

I think the most pleasing views were with the Axiom LX 23mm (45x) and Morpheus 9mm (115x)..at the lower power the view was like an etching, so sharp and steady, while at the higher power I could clearly see a single tiny diffraction ring around the Trap brightest 3 stars, with E and F being visible with direct vision, against the ghostly contrasting blackness of the surrounding nebula.

Next was Sigma the Triple, just below M42, and easily visible in the same field as M42 in the 23mm Axiom. Above M42, towards the belt, Iota, the quadruple was superbly sharp, and the faintest companion easily and sharply visibly with direct vision.

Finally in Orion, Alnitak (Zeta Orionis in the belt) was well split (2.4"), with the faint Zeta C being clearly visible some distance (over 50" I think) away from the main components.

I then moved up to Auriga to another "not easy" double, Theta, and was instantly able to see the pair (4" apart, but nevertheless quite difficult if conditions aren't great, also the unequal brightness doesn't help (the fainter companion is mag 7.2, so can be drowned out by the main component). The photo below that I found on the net shows a nice depiction of the view I had of Theta.

I lingered for a good while on these objects. I'm finding more and more these days that viewing fewer objects in a 90 min to 2 hour session is much more rewarding on good nights than scanning everything in sight.

I then finished the evening looking at the 3 main clusters within the main "Kite" asterism of Auriga, all well resolved in the Tak with the Axiom 23mm.

All in all a great session under ideal conditions😊.

Dave

This was from Wednesday night (we've had lovely clear nights here for 3 nights this week!).

Vixen SP102 on SP mount, Altaz mount, after just splitting Sirius and the Pup at 266x (Baader Zeiss BBHS prism, BGO 6mm with WO 1.6x nosepiece and moon filter) - a memorable night!👍😊

Dave

16 minutes ago, Don Pensack said:

2) it still binds with a thin brass split ring, not a long collet, and it can get hung up on some undercuts.

..another good reason for manufacturers to abolish undercuts from all their eyepieces!🙂

Dave

 Volume 1 arrived this morning, completing my set of all 3 volumes👍.

Sourced from WOB (World of Books) online at a cost of £6.78 inc shipping, and looks to be in as new condition😊.

Dave

2 hours ago, Saganite said:

I have long wondered about these as an alternative to my 19mm Panoptics Dean , but am able to put them to the back of my mind, until somebody does what you have just done.....

Very nice !

I can help, Steve..just go for the Morpheus 17.5mm..top rate optics, and a much wider fov to to boot!👍😁.

Dave

Hi,

Given everything you said in your first post, I'd suggest you get a 127mm Mak for portability and weight. This scope would be good on your stated favourite targets and observing power. (x120).

Then, I would sell your 90mm F10 refractor (as it is not a widefield scope, and neither is the Mak), and look to buy something like a an F5 Skywatcher 102mm Startravel achromat..lovely widefield views, not expensive (especially used).

Both would ride well on your current mount and are very portable, which is key to you.

If you had any budget left over, use it to get the best eyepieces you can afford.

The only danger of owning both the scopes might be that you could turn from a "casual" to a "serious" observer!😊

Dave

Lovely night here again, great seeing and good transparency.. but breezy!!

Last night with the FS128 was great but I have to say the past 20 minutes have been something else.. I decided to get the vintage 1980s Vixen SP102 F10 achromat out..

Seeing here is excellent despite the strong breeze, but I got a sheltered spot out of the wind...and I'VE JUST SEEN THE PUP WITH THE SP102!!😱😱

I'm using  a 6mm BGO with 1.6x Barlow and moon filter (x266) .. I can clearly see two Fresnel rings around Sirius and the Pup is between 12noon and 1pm.

Am delighted with the old girl!!😁👍

Dave

4 minutes ago, Louis D said:

Is that a circle-V maker mark for Vixen I spy on the Celestron?  Vixen sure did make a lot of really good eyepieces back in the day.

Yep, it is indeed👍.

Vixen made a lot of stuff for Celestron back then, including a version of their classic SP102 F10 refractors and GP mounts.

Dave

Lovely night here tonight😊..

First pic Orion right over our house, with Sirius lower left and Procyon upper left..

One of the darkest nights we've had for a while, with both good transparency and seeing.

A nice two hour session which I'll report in tomorrow, the second shot below shows Trinity the Tak FS128 pointing at my last target tonight before packing up..Theta Aurigae, and a lovely split seen at c231x (9mm Morpheus and AP 2x Barlow)..

A classic "jewel" from a classic, now discontinued range..

Just great on doubles, planets and lunar (x173 in my FS128). Also barlows really well, giving me x346 on very good night's...it's the UK's seeing, not the scope/ eyepiece combination that limits the power that can be used.

I used to have several other BGO's.. 9mm, 12.5 and 18mm..all great performers..and NO undercuts!👍

Dave

Prinz 330 60mm F11.8 refractor.

Bought from Dixon's Photographic in Coventry.

Prinz branded scopes were optically generally good, with either Circle T (Towa) or Circle K (Kenko) optics. The 330 had a Circle K objective and gave me my first view of Saturn , tiny but very sharp.

The mount wobbled a lot though, and I was fortunate to get an upgrade to the equatorial 550 F15 version a couple of years later, (c1970).

The earlier 550 scopes were far better made than the later "Prinz 500" scopes, which were made with much cheaper components with use of plastic parts.

If you can find one in good condition they will still show decent views😊.

Dave

Note: The photos of the 330 below are not of my scope, but of an identical model.

Hi Ed,

Short answer, "Yes, it will work well!".

I regularly used a Ylena Russian 150mm Mak F14 on a GP (think "small tank"), and it was a lovely match.

The GPs are a superb mount, even today, for visual, as are the SP (which can be used also as an Altaz) and the GPDX, which is even beefier.

Use with confidence!👍😊

Dave

The Tal 100r I had some years back would take the Tak prism physically, but had only about 30-40mm of travel, which could make focusing a problem...

..but for your 831 (lovely scope, is it adapted for 1.25" diagonals?) the Tak would be a great match as Mike says👍.

Dave

On 19/02/2022 at 17:13, wulfrun said:

A friend reckons it's shaped like a fish...OK, squint a lot and I follow that idea. What did you do with (seeming like) 10m of surplus belting?

I cut it off!!

Dave

4 hours ago, PeterC65 said:

The next decision is whether to stick with the WO 20mm eyepieces and use Barlows to change magnification or whether to get a couple of Hyperflex zooms.

Nice set, Peter 👍.

The WO 20mm aren't bad eyepieces and will give nice views.. however, if funds allow, I'd consider a pair of Baader zooms which have clickstops, I don't think the Hyperflex do, and I'm sure the Baaders are better optically.

The weak point of the Baader zooms (in fact of most  common zooms), is the narrow field of view at low powers..so a combination of zooms for medium and higher powers, plus, say, pairs of 20mm and/or 26mm plossls for lower power wider field views might be ideal.

BTW, in my own experience, pairs of modestly priced eyepieces very often deliver better , more comfortable views, than single premium priced ones. Not everyone can get on with binoviewing, but when you can, the views on lunar, planets, brighter nebulae such as M42, and double stars for example, can be simply stunning!

For example, I got my first and best view of several micro craterlets in Plato using a pair of Revelation binoviewers and a pair of Kson 16.8mm orthos.

Good luck with your choices!

Dave

8 hours ago, mikeDnight said:

I'd imagine with a Vixen scope that a previous owner had been messing around, as some tend to do, and toppled the lens? It's hard to believe Vixen would send one out like that. 

I think that's exactly right, Mike.

I can't take the credit for rectifying it though..although I thought the lens set was flipped, there were no alignment marks that I could see, so I decided to get an expert involved if I could: while reassembling the lenses, I managed to create 2 very small clamshells at the edge of the outer  lens!😱😱

Fortunately, I had booked my FS128 in for cleaning and service with Es Reid, and Es kindly agreed to look at the Vixen while he had the Tak. 

Es soon had the lens sorted, and described it as a good lens..the clamshells are totally invisible in use (they are very small) and the rest of the scope cleaned up well and is a great performer now👍

I added some new decals courtesy of Pete Gamby, and a pair of spare Tak focuser wheels. And I also added a new counterweight shaft and slo mos to the SP mount, and finally an old Unitron tripod who's legs I sanded and oiled..

Oh, and a nice SW 6x30 RACI finder😊

Dave

Note: shown here with old counterweight shaft before replacement..

On 14/02/2022 at 23:24, Whistlin Bob said:

A long day into London and back, watching my inbox swell with dumb emails whilst I dealt with meetings and other nonsense, then getting harassed by tramps around New Street station where I was changing trains on the way home did not leave me in a good mood.

I used to share this view in the last year of my working life..travelling by train and tube to London Moorgate HQ from Lincolnshire, to have a meeting with a 26 year old post graduate who spoke to me as though I was 6 (I was actually 62 then and a Sales Director in my previous role), convinced me that it was time to get off the work rollercoaster and put my metaphorical feet up..👍

Dave