Ceramus

My Az-Gti has ceased to function: red light does not flash when switch is turned on and wifi connection can not be found by iPhone app. installed fresh set of new batteries but still it does not switch on. Plugged a 12volt battery eliminator and it seems to work, as light flashes and wifi connects!. Checked leads in battery holder, looks ok. Maybe a loose contact inside? Taking mount and a Heritage 130to Argentina/Chile for eclipse and dark skies, so battery operation a must. Any suggestions appreciated.

Taking my Heritage to Argentina/Chile next month for the eclipse and dark skies. Got a thick tube-shape cloth bag to store it in m carry-on backpack along with a Az-Gti for the flight. Tripod in suitcase. Flown to other places with same kit, a good aperture/portability ratio...

Great image, with Jupiter shining bright next to Antares?

Sounds good, thanks for sharing...there are some dark sky sites still around here. Went to a similar event a last August in Satiago- pontones. Will try and make it as we are here now.

Lovely sketch of a fascinating lunar scape. Thanks for sharing.

I fitted a MDF board with 100mm braked castors and levelling bolts to wheel a 300p GoTo around, works a treat and cost very little.

I know there is an option under 'tracking' for 'point and track' under the 'sun' rate (if the 'observe sun' has been enabled). i haven't been able to try it because it doesn't appear to be highlighted when I click on it! Any one else come across this issue?

Hola Miguel, welcome to the forum!

Unforgettable, I worked out its position from a popolurar sky almanac ( mostly astrological) and got up at 4am to see it through my new 4" reflector from the kitchen window. I was 13 yrs old and it blew my mind.

Yes, great little mount but my main objection to the OS app is the white keyboard that pops up for typing in your GoTo target is very bright thus spoiling your dark vision!

Yes, we booked our first eclipse with Explores to Venezuela when Brian was still in charge. It included Machu Pichu wich is unmissable, quite an experience in every way ( it rained heavily they day after our visit there and we were nearly stranded at the top of the mountain). It all went well in the end, I'm sure you'll have a good time.

Sorry to hear about Astro Eclipse lack of communication. We used them last year for the Wyoming eclipse and found their service quite adequate (barring the quality of some hotels.... ) This year we've booked with Astrotrails, which is the company we have always used and they have been good in communicating with newsletters. We view the eclipse from Bella Vista which will be also the Astro Eclipse site, the difference I believe is that we stay in San Juan and Astro Eclipse in Rodeo, a small village just outside Bella Vista. I think the accommodation there is listed on their website: something or other "cabines" . We booked our international flights separately to Buenos Aires, then on tour to SanJuan , Atacama desert, Cerro Paranal (VLT), Santiago and back.

We're booked to go to this year's eclipse (our 7th). Site is near Belle Vista, San Juan province Argentina on the eastern slopes of the Andes. Anyone booked to be there? Would be nice to meet! Not sure yet what to do for next year's but looks like being there again...all a matter of saving up for it!

Got The Lacerta kit for my 300p flextube, great improvemnt and easy to fit.

I had my second cataract op 8 weeks ago, right eye this time which is my prefered obseving eye. My first op, on the left eye, was 4 years ago and the diference to my eyesight was amazing. Colours became brighter and whites were much more pure as the cataract imparts a light sepia colour to the vision. At first, a darkish crescent shape shadow was present at the very corner of the eye but soon disappeared. Rainbows were also present around bright lights. Recovery took about 2 weeks. At the telescope, after I got used to using my left eye instead of the usual right one, I noticed a substantial increase in colour perception and perhaps more contrast also. The right eye got progressive worse so I decided to go for the second op as it was becoming more difficult to drive at night. This time a laser was used to do the initial incision and 'loosen up' the cataract. Recovery this time round was quicker and, so far, no side effects. I can now go back to observing with the right eye. Next time I'm in a dark sky location I'll do a star count to ascertain if I can go half a magnitude fainter using both eyes...

The sports direct gym mat is excellent, it also serves as a light shroud for my 300 p Flextube.

After many years of using non-GoTo scopes I got to know the sky fairly well, especially from spending endless hours working out the best star-hop to the desired DSO. Finally succumbed and got a big GoTo dob and must say it makes a big difference. I can cover a lot more observing 'ground" ( no pun intended...) in one night and by using the 'park scope' function save time in starting my following night's session. It's worthwhile exploring all the functions available in the Syncscan. My version is the 4.37