mikeDnight

I used to go through foam like nobodies business, I think because of the heavy eyepieces. So, I decided to try several layers of exercise matting, which worked a treat and hold the eyepieces firmly in place.

Mike.

If I was buying on a shoe string budget I'd like just three eyepieces and if I'm allowed I'd also buy a X2 Barlow lens. The eyepieces I'd most likely choose for myself would be Rank Kellners (RKE's), often called reverse Kellners, or Abbé orthoscopics, both produced by Edmund optical. The focal lengths of the eyepieces would be 28mm - the 28mm RKE is a superb low power eyepiece with good eye relief. Then I'd choose the 12mm and the 8mm RKE's or similar focal length Ortho's. These could then be barlowed to give me reasonable high powers while maintaining eye relief. I'd choose the RKE's over the orthos, as despite having a relatively narrow field of I think 40°, they give truly pure, crystal clear views. I doubt anyone could look through a 28mm RKE and not be impressed.

Mike

Sorry! Not able to attach file for Mars map for the above post. Apparently its too large. Stupid machines! This is why I prefer using a pencil! Mike :-(

As stated in the opening post, sketching at the eyepiece trains the observer to see more. Back in 2003 I made over 30 sketches of Mars, each sketch brought to my attention detail that wasn't immediately obvious. This really emphasised to me the importance of sketching even when the conditions at first appear to be less than favourable. There is almost always much more on view than first meets the eye. Attached is a composite drawning / map of the martian albedo features as seen throughout that favourable apparition through a 5" refractor at X120. Bear in mind that Mars was around 25 seconds of arc at its best though the drawings were made throughout the entire apparition. 20 drawings were used in producing the map.