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Relpet

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Everything posted by Relpet

  1. On Wednesday night. July 10th, I promised some visiting Parisians a picture of the moon after they had observed it with me that night. I made a composite from about 15 images taken with a Canon 500D through my 12" f4 Dobsonian fitted with a 2x2"PowerMate. The resulting image was pleasing enough to send the Parisians but seemed to contain more detail than my usual single shot. The image on the screen was 15.5% of the original. When I zoomed in to 100% I was astonished to see what on Earth might be sand dunes, or ripples left by the tide on a beach. My first thought was ancient, solidified lava flows but if anyone can put me right from the cropped pictures attached I would be grateful.
  2. Very interesting link. Lots of food for thought there and the advertised CDs look interesting too.
  3. Poe, in typical over-blown 19th century style, suggests he prefers the myth to the maths.; realising the sensation in his own brain of the beauty he sees with his own eyes yet still enjoying the imaginative interpretations of the myth-makers of the past. He finds the science as painful as a child being told there ain't no Santy Claus. Had he, and they, been able to see the celestial images we see in the 21st century he, and they, would be as rapt in wonder as we are but, though acknowledging everything the physicists say, probably still regarding the scientific explanations as secondary to the awe-inspiring images. - I humbly suggest.
  4. I hadn't expected to start such a discussion and I'm not sure I have the knowledge to make telling points but sometimes the best scientific writing is so lucid it could be placed on the same level as classical prose. It isn't designed to give an impression but to convey the most accurate representation of the idea in the writer's mind. Lucidity is the way to spread understanding. Poetry, music, art are perhaps aimed at a different part of the human psyche, designed to share feelings and which may not strike the same chord in everyone. The best scientific speakers also strive to convey their exact meaning, avoiding cliché, searching for the right word. They want their ideas to take root, not provoke an emotional response. Picking up Olly's last point, in a broadcast from New York hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson, Janna Levin - a world authority on black holes - said she wasn't looking for easy answers. The challenge was in the search for the right answers and the physics relating to the inner nature of black holes perhaps currently represents the most challenging area of what is not known. The astrophysicists may still be looking for the answers but there's nothing to stop a poet composing his dreamy view.
  5. In June a few years ago the weather on the French side was persistently cold and wet for two weeks. Friends, seeing the depth of our depressed state, recommended no more than two hours drive away is the delightful village of Ainsa. Just like Olly we entered the tunnel in, seemingly, mid-winter, and emerged in high summer. Good luck.
  6. We sure can, Olly. Whitman wrote his piece in 1855 at a time when great strides were starting in American astronomy and which progress he followed all his life. I guess the growth in the number of astronomers would lead to the growth in the number of theories being postulated giving rise to lectures which he found added nothing to his enduring love of the actual night sky. I've always found Whitman a bit over-blown for my taste but his excitement at the discovery of two moons of Mars, his conjecture that there were galaxies beyond the Milky Way and even the possible existence of universes beyond ours suggests he was not thinking idly when he wrote the piece. Neil deGrasse Tyson who recited the poem in the clip is a distinguished astro-physicist, as is Janna Levin who recited the poem at a gathering in New York City. I posted the clip to encourage people who might otherwise be intimidated by the science and so overlook the magic of the night sky and, boy, would Whitman have found magic in the unpolluted skies of 1855. Cheers, Peter
  7. I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay. I'm in UK until the end of June, otherwise I might have suggested we meet up somewhere. In the meantime I must check out Lac de Bious Artigues. Cheers
  8. Just picked this up so hope I'm in time. We have a second home about an hour's drive from La Mongie where you would pick up the cable car that takes you to the observatory on the Pic du Midi. Damian Peach took some great pictures from there a couple of summers ago. The weather can be problematic. The area around the Pic du Midi is kind of on the cusp between Atlantic and Mediterranean weather systems. In the last few years it has been predominantly Atlantic meaning not a high proportion of clear skies. When they are clear they can be stunning. If you time it right the electrical storms raging around the mountains can be equally stunning. There are many ruined castles and ancient churches that might make a good foreground for Milky Way shots, not to mention the mountains themselves but every village in rural France seems obsessed by putting in street lights every 50 metres to meet the demand of any local resident who thinks he needs one. Needless to say if anyone goes out at night they use the car even if they are going to a party just down the road. No one walks at night except the occasional ex-pat. Our village is also blessed with a floodlit football pitch. Match nights and practice nights always seem to coincide with clear skies. Two kilometres from my front door, though, I can escape to a 360 degree dark sky with just distant glow from towns about 20 kms away. You may need to do some daytime exploring to make sure you're going to be happy driving up steep, narrow, precipitous roads in the dark. One suggestion I could make is close to the Cirque de Gavarnie. There is an excellent caravan park there but also a good road leads up to a car park at the Col de Tentes. From the car park you can walk higher until you get a view of the Breche de Roland. It's unlikely you'll be troubled by anyone else lumbering up hill with a telescope once you've left the car park. There is wild country in the Baronies near the castle of Mauvezin where you might get unpolluted skies. The lakeside at Lac de Gery near Saint-Béat might also be a good spot. One of my favourite places in all the world is Artiga de Lin just over the border into Catalonia. From the N230 travelling south turn right at Es Bordes, through the village and follow the road until it runs out into gorgeous countryside. Huge car park but probably littler used at night and, once again, you'll be the only one lugging a telescope away from the lights of any other campers. Rimmed by mountains there should be little light pollution. I hope this helps. No matter what, you've chosen to go to a beautiful part of the world.
  9. Have to wait for next month. Totally clouded over here but thanks for the tip.
  10. The moon is really putting on a show these last few days. Having had great pleasure just observing last night I thought I'd do the same tonight until I looked through the finder and the Golden Handle leapt into view. Back to the house for the camera. 12" Dob, 2 x 2" Televue PowerMate, Canon 500d 125th second at ISO 100.
  11. It may just be a matter of timing. It was a pure fluke that I took the shots when I did and possibly just as the sun was at the optimum angle. It may never happen to me again!
  12. There are an awful lot of Os as well, John.
  13. I took some pictures last night not realising I'd captured the X and V, but L as well? 12" Dob with Baader 17mm connected to a Canon 500D. 40th of a second at ISO100
  14. I bought recently the 2" 2 x Powermate and love it for lunar photography. Haven't had a chance to use it for much else yet but looking forward to exploiting it to the full.
  15. Not a million miles from you Marvin. The village of Saint-Plancard in Haute-Garonne. We spend about half the year there in scattered chunks. I guess you'd be about a two and a half to three hour drive. I got my 150pds second-hand and, frankly, the focuser was so well-worn I replaced it. So you might need to check the condition if you buy a used version. I have a good spare focuser that I bought for a different project but it won't fit your Space Probe. Have you checked Leboncoin for used 'scopes? There is the occasional bargain to be had through LBC, though most expectations seem way too high. PM me for directions if you fancy a drive down some time.
  16. Where are you located in France, Marvin? There are a number of subscribers from French locations (including me until the end of May) who might have alternative equipment you can take a peek through before upgrading. For example, I have a SW 150 PDS myself. As far as I can see your existing focuser takes only 1.25" eyepieces. Most dual-speed focusers have 2" draw tubes so you would have to modify the aperture in the tube, even assuming you could find a focuser that then fits your tube's parameters. It's a subject that has been raised elsewhere since 2009 and there seems to be no quick, easy or cheap fix. You're talking at least £100 for a new focuser, even before you start enlarging the aperture in your tube. A new OTA that comes with a decent focuser included might be your best move for imaging and keep the Orion for observing on your old EQ2 mount, if you still have it. There is a second-hand 150 PDS for sale on AstroBuySell at present.. https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=149128 Not much more than the cost of a new focuser. Hope this helps.
  17. That seems to be the most popular upgrade, Miguel. I just wish I'd bought that one in the first place instead of the highly-criticised tripod that SW sell with the mount as standard. As it is I am happy with the AstroTrac I bought from 365Astronomy (see earlier post).
  18. Just for your information and anyone else who might be looking for a solution I discussed this with Zoltan at 365Astronomy. He suggested an Astrotrac tripod: which he would modify to take the 3/8 threaded bolt and supply a flat mounting plate included in the list price of £76. I lent heavily on a sample and it felt rock solid so I ordered one which I collected today. To compare like with like I connected the Canon 500D with TeleVue 5x PowerMate to the 80mm extension tube to exert maximum leverage as before. Barely a tremor as I adjusted focus and camera settings on tonight's moon. At £30 less than the price of the SW and lighter in weight (aluminium rather than steel) my problem seems to be solved. Thanks again for your response.
  19. The moon was showing quite brightly at about 11.30 last night and I wanted to try out a 5x PowerMate 1.25” I had bought recently but hadn’t had a chance to use. I’d previously removed the diagonal from my TS Photoline APO to blow away some dust so for expediency connected my Canon 500D to the PowerMate, connected that to an 80mm extension tube and than slid that into the ‘scope’s open end. That made a heck of a leverage on a pretty short dovetail but it seemed stable. Only when I tried actually to do something did I discover how flimsy the “kit” tripod is for the SW AZ-GTI mount. It is the most frequent criticism by reviewers and users and sensible people seem to bypass the tripod and just buy the mount. I didn’t get where I am today by taking good advice so should not have been surprised when the least touch to any part of the ‘scope or camera started the entire ensemble trembling like a reed in the wind. Alter the ISO, wait two seconds for the trembling to stop. Adjust the focuser, can’t see for the trembling. Wait for it to stop to see if you’ve got it right. Try again, and again, and again. A combined process of adjusting focus, ISO and shutter speed that should take seconds was taking minutes. Without the diagonal I’m having to squat on a garden chair with my head about three feet off the ground and frost forming on the summer house roof. Amazing to believe you can have such fun in old age but, frankly, I’d rather not do it again. So, replace the diagonal – then what? What’s the best, reasonably-priced, alternative to the SW tripod in the experience of satisfied users, please? Many thanks.
  20. Quite often newcomers to astronomy ask members of SGL what is their best choice of eyepiece once they have decided they want to move on from any particular EP that came with their 'scope. Sometimes the answers are quite technical and not readily understandable to a newcomer. This article posted in Cosmic Pursuits today makes valuable and lucid reading and may answer a lot of questions already in the minds of some members. https://agenaastro.com/choosing-eyepieces-for-your-telescope.html Had I been able to read this article a few years ago I might have saved myself a lot of disappointment - and a fair bit of cash!
  21. Thanks, Mike. De-ionised water is the most readily available here but I'll check the pet shops next time.
  22. Thanks, Peter. I am convinced the spots are biological. Some of the spots made streaks when I passed the cotton pads across but I've followed Kirkster501s advice and left alone. Lunar observation has been simply phenomenal since the clean.
  23. Right you are, guv'nor. When I saw details of the moon last night in crispness I had never seen before I guessed it was either the particular angle of the sun emphasising the relief that night, exceptional seeing conditions, or the mirror was -at last - performing to expectation. (Or maybe all three!).
  24. Cheers, Stu. Every time I get down to France there's so much brush clearance, weeding, digging etc I'm quite the horny-handed son of the soil. My fingers might take a month to soften but, as you suspected, the seeing tonight was a revelation. and no indication of the quite minor bemishes still on the mirror.
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