PatG

A great first & second light reports Ratlet, got yourself a bargain there. I recently acquired a second hand 10” dob (OOVX10L) and have enjoyed a couple of tantalising sessions. I am enjoying the simplicity of it and it’s nice to navigate to the target manually for a change. I’ve also got a digital inclinometer but not fitted it / tried it out yet. I’m interested how you are going to approach the Azimuth setting circle, Im deliberating over that at the moment. Clear skies!

Looking for some advice on this little mount - I’m also considering the AZ-GTI X for a light weight G&G set up for use with either a FC60Q or FC100DZ - can you fit the AMD GTI vixen / losmandy clamp to the GTI X? If not is there another clamp upgrade option? Also if only using 1no scope is a counterweight required? The GTI X looks beefier than the GTI but does it offer better performance when used with just 1 scope? Any feedback from users appreciated.

A brief session on Friday night. Using the OO VX10L. From about 20:30 - 22:30. Only second time I’ve used this scope (new to me) and was the first light since taking out and cleaning the mirrors last weekend, upgrading the primary collimation knobs that were really stiff and also repairing the Crayford focuser that a bearing had come loose in. I have also fitted a 60mm RA finder scope. I’m still acquainting myself with a dob, so working out how to collimate etc is a bit of a learning curve and not sure it is very well collimated yet…. I was using the SL UFF 30mm as well as 9,12.5 and 17.5 Baader Morph EPs. Mindful this was a manual session / no goto, thought I would keep it simple….. - Rigel - image quite turbulent but I put this down to scope still cooling down as probably only only out 30min or so. Notwithstanding, the secondary star visible. Encouraging. Morph 17.5mm - M42 - very pleasing views, with 17.5mm, delicate nebula almost filling the EP, concentrating on the trapezium and tinkering with the slow mo on the focuser (still a bit sticky and I need to work out how to improve this) I thought I could make out the E component, nearby A, at about 7 or 8 o’clock but it came and went in the seeing and incredibly feint in comparison to the brighter star. Deciding to increase the mag to 12.5mm and sure enough it was there, studying further around, Theta 1 Orionis After a while I also spotted the F component, again close by the brighter C component and coming in and out of visibility. Had a brief nudge round the immediate vicinity of M42 and there is a lot going on. Came across a lovely double nearby but still trying to work out which one it is. A bit of research later to identify. Tonight was the first time I have successful observed the E&F components, so quite pleased with this mindful of re-collimation / scope service works as noted above. Other brief observations… Aldebaran and Hyades - Lovely and nice contrast Mars - quite dazzling but could not make out any detail Sirius - Dazzling also but no sign of the pup! Castor - Really high up and comfortable split using the 12.5 Morph. Still getting used to the diffraction spikes! Finished off with a brief look M45, starting with 17.5 and then dropping back to 30mm, followed by M44, both most pleasing with 30mm UFF also randomly came across a couple of other open clusters around Gemini but didn’t have any maps with me so not sure which ones they were. All in all a good couple of hours, I’m not convinced the scope is perfectly collimated yet, but must be reasonably collimated I guess, this is clearly a WIP and not also completely satisfied with star shapes but it was hasty session and although using a fan, cool down was definitely a factor in the first half of the session.

Great thread…. I managed to split Rigel this evening. I was observing from London and using the FC100DZ with both 12mm Morph & 5mm Nag EPs. I think current separation is circa 9.5” but still quite chuffed to have seen it. Very feint secondary in glare of much brighter primary. I preferred the view with the 12mm, more crisp.

Thanks Brett, your guide is very helpful, I will be printing it out to help guide me me through the collimation process.👍 Pat

Anyone know what these fixings on this model of Crayford focuser do? I think this is an unbranded Omigron dual speed focuser but having no luck finding any instructions or diagrams. I’m trying to work out how to dismantle focuser to replace a roller bearing that has fallen out and I’m keen not do something to it that I regret. Any advice much appreciated.

Worked out how to remove focuser from base, loosening the 3 grub screws and removed focuser. The stray bolt and one of the rollers in the Crayford has come loose / fallen out. Can anyone advice which fixings I need to loosen to allow me to take the focus tube out of the focuser to get access to refit the roller please?

Looking for some advice please….. I am in the process of checking / improving collimation on a new to me dob. I have noticed that there is a small bolt wedged between focuser and tube on my OO 10” VX10. Also the inward and outward focuser is sticking / not sliding in and out as it should and needs some attention. Not sure if this small loose fixing is anything to do with this?? Im not familiar with the Crayford focuser assembly and trying to work out which of the various allen key type fixings allow me to remove the focuser from the base and then in turn allow me to loosen the base to remove the loose bolt. Any advice about this or links to info about serving the focuser also appreciated. some photos attached.

Thanks for the tips David, I will look into getting a basic laser. Thanks Stu, checking the secondary veins they were indeed slightly unequal so I have adjusted. Re the primary adjustment, yes I had loosened off the lock bolts, I think the collimating bolts / knobs are stiff because they have not been used for a while perhaps, at some point, I’m going to clean the mirror so will need to remove the cell and will have a proper look at what is going on and consider better springs and upgraded adjustment knobs at that point. Pat

Hi Kev Not having much luck with a good photo with phone through the Cheshire but this is about the best I could manage… plus one straight through the focuser.. advice / thoughts appreciated.

Had a go at adjusting the collimation of a recently acquired pre-loved Orion Optics VX10L this morning. As expected, I found this not a straight forward matter / quite complicated and not sure what results I have obtained. I was using a Stella Lyra premium Cheshire / sighting tube to aid the process. Started by checking and adjusting the secondary mirror and then aligning with the primary. Any tips / advice appreciated. Also - I found it hard to adjust the primary adjustment knobs by hand and wanted to seek recommendations for upgrading these, anyone done this and what replacement knobs are available?

How about…. 1) Hubbles Mount Wilson 100” 2) and 3) Herschel’s 2no 20’ reflectors a lot of discoveries made with those scopes..

Preloved OO VX10L dob collected today from frosty Dorset. Fingers crossed for a test run this evening!

I think that The Hatfield Lunar Atlas by Anthony Cook is a great book, combination of photos and detailed maps and packed with useful info for the lunar observer. It was initially published in 1968 but completely updated in 98 and then digitally remastered in 2012. Published by Springer. A lovely book.

A brief session this evening in London from circa 6-7.30pm with the FC60Q / F10, in conjunction with 30mm, 12.5mm and 5mm EPs, and using a BB observing chair for the first time. Some wispy high cloud and a lot of humidity in the air. Still not got round to getting a finder or RDF fitted so used the relatively wide angle SL 30mm UF and pointing manually / by sight on brighter objects. Started on Mars, very turbulent, possible due to insufficient cool down time but none the less, I think some albedo feature evident in stable periods at both 12.5 and 5mm. Need to use a filter I think as very bright / dazzling. Moved onto Castor, still very low to East circa 20deg, at the time, and just rising above neighbouring houses. Still a reasonable split at 12.5 and 5mm but not split at 30mm. Always a pleasing sight. Over to M45, really close to Moon, couldn’t see it naked eye, in glare of moon, and found more by luck, knowing roughly where it was, it was washed out and a lot of stray /scattered light entering scope, but pleased I could still make out the grouping of 3 stars next to Alcyone, that I was admiring the other day with a larger scope. A quick check on Stellarium in doors and then headed over to Almach, a current favourite double and found quite quickly and immediately rewarded with a very pleasing double (actually a quadruple) with yellow orange primary and blue secondary. Although quite a bit of thin high cloud dimming down the view. Comfortably split at all 3 mags. As tea beckoned wrapped up with with a brief meander down the terminator on the moon with a 5mm EP for some lovely detail and called it a day. A very brief yet rewarding session, found using a proper observing chair a great improvement and allowed me to spend some quality time at EP, concentrating on looking rather than focus on leaning / balancing awkwardly or straining to get into position. Got my observing fix for a few days. Back to the grind tomorrow!

Hi Cajen, Good questions…. I think that I’m happy with a narrower FOV with a Plossl for example when doing solar and looking at planets, double stars etc, particularly if this realises better contrast / sharper image, and I mainly use a tracking mount so moving out of the FOV is not an issue. That said, I’m also a big fan of wider FOV too and enjoy this both just for enjoyment of a wider view and particularly on deep sky objects, open and glob clusters etc. I love the 12.5mm Morph, and now tend to use this more than the WO 7mm. Based on a few brief sessions with the 30mm SL UF, I think this is a lovely EP too and it’s also now a firm favourite. Definitely be investing in another Morph at some point, also curious about the other EPs in the new SL UF range and how they are thought of as they seem very well priced.

Thanks Mike I have been seriously resisting a binoviewer but I think it’s only a matter of time! Similarly the 4mm TOE is very appealing. Decisions decisions.

Thanks Mark, I’d not even considered an ortho, a great suggestion. 👍

Happy NY everyone… This is my current EP collection: Plossl 3.2mm BST 5mm BST 8mm BST 12mm BST 15mm TV 20mm TV 25mm TV 40mm TV 55mm 2” TV Wide FOV 5mm TV Nag 7mm WO UWA 12.5mm Baader Morph 20mm TV Nag 2” 30mm SL UFF 2” All round observer including solar, planets, moon, double star, deep space. Mainly for use with 60mm F10 and 100mm F8 refractors. Always thinking about the next EP.. Looking for best performance in class and have a few ideas - but what EP would you get next and why?? Thanks in advance for any suggestions! Pat

Just arrived curtesy of Royal Mail. Following mikeDnight’s recommendations on the great inspiring visual astronomy thread, managed to bag a 1978 edition of The Messier Album a bargain at 70 pence plus P&P. What better for a rainy day!

Hi Stu /All, I also had a short session last night with the FS60Q, mounted on a Porta II mount. This was between 22:00-23:30. It was only my second or third brief session with this lovely little scope and just getting to know its capabilities. I was using a Baader zoom, WIlliam Optics 7mm UWAN and 25mm Meade Plossl EPs, along with a 2” Baader diagonal. Im making an effort to spend a little more time on each object rather than rushing from one object to the next and a manual alt set up suits this. I also had no finder fitted and struggled locating objects manually, so need to think-about how I approach this going forward - maybe get a RDF to assist. I need to practice star hopping. I started with Orion M42 - and just about split the Trapezium, which was nestled in some pleasing yet subtle nebulosity. Contemplating the brightest Theta 1 Orionis component C at 40,000K and over 200,000 x luminosity of the Sun, this is what I love about this hobby. I then worked my way the sword up to the belt and enjoyed a bright double star there but unsure which one I was looking at, but very pleasing sight. I moved over to Pleiades which was very high in the sky and at low power with 25mm plossl, again very pleasing wide field view. I spent a short time looking at Mars which was also high in the sky and a nice pleasing disc, but very bright and in need of some filters to improve contrast that I did not have to hand. I moved over to the Moon - spending some time on the craters on the terminator. Again, no ND filter to hand but very sharp image. Then finished on Pollux, a lovely golden hue followed by Crater multiple start system, with A and B a very satisfying tight split. I adjourned at this point with numb fingers. Also need to think about observing chair of some sort as found it difficult to get in a relaxed comfortable position at the EP. A very enjoyable session none the less however. clear sky’s All!

Interested to hear about peoples experience with ASIair plus and use in EVAA. What benefits does it bring to EVAA? Also does it support cameras other than ASI ZWO cameras, for example Lodestar x2?

Not long, a couple of minutes I guess, quite a hasty session, but enjoyable none the less.

Plenty to see this evening. A couple of hours before dinner, very productive session. Albireo - always a treat, most pleasing at 20mm M27 Dumbell - tried a UHC filter but better without M57 Ring M71 GC - difficult to resolve with either 20, 12 or 5mm Epsilon Lyrae - double double - just resolved at 5mm Coat Hanger - best with 50mm EP M2 - difficult to resolve this evening M39 Ov in Cygnus a glorious full field view with 20mm EP Mu Cephei - Red Super Giant - 1000 x Sun diameter and 100,000 x the luminosity Hershel’s Garnet Star - highlight of the evening M45 - again fantastic at 50mm M34 OC in Perseus M31 NGC 884 - double cluster in Perseus - great at both 20mm and 50mm NGC 654 Butterfly cluster - best at 20mm but also good at 12mm 30 Ari - Multiple system, although visible double, nice, appears slightly yellow/ golden Eta Cassiopeia- double - again golden Almach - double, nice, tight, at 20mm Wrapped up with the planets - Saturn, Neptune, Jupiter - some nice banding, Uranus and Mars - think that was first time I have seen them all in one evening - all well placed for viewing at the moment!

Plenty to see this evening. A couple of hours before dinner, a very productive session. Albireo - how can you resist - always a treat, most pleasing at 20mm M27 Dumbell - tried a UHC filter but better without, 20mm and 12mm M57 Ring M71 GC - difficult to resolve with either 20, 12 or 5mm Epsilon Lyrae - double double - just resolved both pairs at 5mm or was it 12mm? Coat Hanger - Asterism - best / complete with 50mm EP M2 - quite bright but unable to resolve this evening M39 OC in Cygnus a glorious full field view with 20mm EP Mu Cephei - Red Super Giant - 1000 x Sun diameter and 100,000 x the luminosity Hershel’s Garnet Star - I think highlight of the evening, just to contemplate the size of this star M45 - again fantastic at low power - 50mm M34 OC in Perseus M31 - 20mm NGC 884 - double cluster in Perseus - great at both 20mm and 50mm NGC 654 Butterfly cluster - best at 20mm but also good at 12mm 30 Ari - Multiple system, although visible double, nice, appears slightly yellow/ golden Eta Cassiopeia- double - again golden Almach - double, nice, tight, at 20mm Wrapped up with the planets - Saturn, Neptune, Jupiter - some nice banding, Uranus and Mars - think that was first time I have seen them all in one evening - all well placed for viewing at the moment! In the main low power worked best / was most rewarding, 5mm not great on anything so presumably seeing the limiting factor here. All in all a very satisfying albeit brief session.