laser_jock99

My response about the F4 imaging Newtonian was a slightly 'tounge in cheek' response. They require very careful set up (collimation is critical) and may need some DIY modification to make them work properly. As such I would say they are not really suited for beginners but more the enthusiast who is prepared to fettle them to get the best results. Also bear in mind you would need to buy a good collimating tool and a quality coma corrector (which some would argue makes scope non-apochromatic!). The addition of the right coma corrector/reducer turns these F4 Newtonians into so called F2.9 'super Newts'. Again collimation is even more critical. All good fun- but not 'plug & play'!

This company in Rugby made both my steel tube piers from stock lengths of tube https://www.charleswatts.co.uk/ The price was much less than some of the comercial piers availble. I also bought a of lot the hardware (e.g. 1m long M18 threaded bar to sink into the concrete) for my obsy project here. Another Rugby company I found usefull for the concreting operations at my observatory was Lemon Groundworks- good for re-bar etc. https://www.lemon-gs.co.uk/contacts My steel tube pier bolted to a block of concrete.

Good solution to your problem. Big scopes are great- but they do come with logistical 'problems'. Getting my 12" Newtonian up onto it's pier requires a system of pulleys....I would only use it in semi permanent observatory set up!

GSO mirror set with a carbon fibre tube?

When using a tripod I always suspend something heavy underneath to make it more stable. A bucket of water works for me - it might help your tripod settle into the lawn quicker?

Looks good to me. Which scope did you use?

150mm F4 imaging Newtonian? Portable and apochromatic!

Do you suffer from varying levels of airglow? This can be a factor in dark sky areas.

I've found with a bit of snow on the ground, even from a dark sky site, the refelectivity makes it like daylight. Add a bit of moon.....

Great image- considering the light pollution.

I image with up to a 35Kg payload (12" F4 Newt + Accessories) so it can carry more if operated carefully but that is in an observatory environment with a correctly ballanced, permanent set up. I would not reccoment this loading for casual use. Revelation Astro 12" F4 Newtonian on an EQ6

Just to add to Olly's comments - fast Newts are indeed interesting scopes and can work very well when set up optimally- BUT probably not suited for begginers in astrophotography. The technical challenges are way greater than a simple refractor set-up. I spent 2 years imaging with refractors (80mm & 120mm Skywatchers) before I bought my first F4 reflector. If you do decide you absolutely have to own either of these scopes, the 8" will be slightly easier to tame and better suited to the mount.

Just found this Alyn Wallace BBC Sesh 'reach out' video to youngsters on YouTube "BBC Sesh is a new social channel from BBC Wales - aimed at young adults - that showcases the country's most exciting new talent. Find daily videos on Facebook and Twitter - and check us out on Instagram and YouTube too"

Nice set.

Great detail- thanks for shaing.