fireballxl5

I bought a used LS60THa with the DS50 last year. I fit the DS50 virtually every time I use the scope now. Based on my previous experience with a Coronado SM40, I find performance of the LS60THADS50 to be turely excellent.

Here's a photo at around 3rd contact showing the proms. Just a converted JPEG that I've wi-fi'ed over to my phone with some basic editing in Snapseed. Originals are raw on card. There are several...🙃 Canon R7 / Canon 100-500mm @500mm / f7.1 1/15s ISO200 Clouds clearly seen as well.

Yes, same here in Torreón. Totality was spell- binding. Almost forgot to hit the shutter release on the camera! Clouded out for much of the 1st partial phase, but largely cleared miraculously for totality. The best eclipse I think I've seen, totality was awesome as they say🙃 Found time to view through bins as well. It was beautiful.

I'll be at the Astro Trails observing site, just NW of Torreón Mexico🙃

So you agree that it is (almost) a 100Wh capacity battery? Again, my understanding is that the power capacity is fixed with the time that current can be drawn determined by the voltage used (and the current level of course). This would mean that at 3.6V/1A the current rating is 27.65Ah, whereas at 12V/1A (using a handy USB PD 12V trigger) it would be 8.3Ah. Regards, Andy

Your calculation is implying that current and power capacity are the same. I'm no electrical engineer but my understanding is that the relationship between power and current capacity (Wh and Ah) depends on the voltage that is driving the current. So a stated power capacity of 99.54Wh (Anker product website for this power bank) implies a cell voltage of 3.6V, i.e. power / current 99.54Wh/27.65Ah = 3.6V. . Happy to be corrected here🙂

Although my preference is for LiFePO4 batteries I've gone and bought one of these... https://amzn.eu/d/9NJQJcl If falls just below the 100Wh limit and seems to be super slick. It will be used to provide primary power for my Canon DSLR and tracker mount at Monday's TSE, so weight, capacity and versatility were primary considerations here. I'm now a fan of batteries that have PD capable USB outputs🙂 Andy

I've used a Nevada linear PSU to run a dual-scope imaging rig in my observatory for a number of years with no issues. Looks like they've refreshed the design, but equivalent I think to this one https://www.nevadaradio.co.uk/sharman-lm-30a-30-amp-analogue-display-linear-power-supply-unit-two-year-warranty?___store=nevada

Very impressive visuals and wonderful commentary taking the audience through the whole Apollo Programme, leading into Artemis. Loved it🙂

they've got big long roads out there...

Yes, just once on an Vixen ali tripod. Though it did work OK for visual it seemed to be at the very limit. Haven't tried since and won't be doing it again.

This toolbox is great, had a great go using it on some data from last August... CS, Andy Before: After:

+1 for the SolarQuest

The Eskimo Nebula NGC2392, a bi-polar double-shelled planetary, imaged on a rare clear night, Monday this week. Located within the boundary of the constellation Gemini but lying approx 6500 light-years away (could be nearer depending on reference). Also known as the Clown-face, the colours of this narrowband image were inspired by the wonderful image shown here here. A little small for this scope's focal length, though with some nice detail when imaged at ~0.6 arc-sec/pixel (albeit not capturing that resolution😜). RC6 / ASI533MCP / IDAS NBZ / 38x300s (2h10m) / 26-02-2024

This para seems to be with reference to devices that actually have a removable battery integrated into their design, such as a laptop. My link and quote was from the UK's Civil Aviation Authority, not the Canadian authority🙃 When it comes to civil aerospace rules & regulations there is much crossover and duplication of texts, just under local (National usually, sometimes regional) document management controls. This is, at least partially, in recognition that civil aircraft operate in many jurisdictions and we all need to follow the same fundamental regulations for everyones convenience. Regards, Andy PS, still very interested in the HEM15 so would welcome any further feedback on performance and usability.

Not so if flying under CAA regs, limit is 100Wh for "Spare batteries for portable electronic devices (including metal devices) containing lithium metal or lithium ion cells or batteries carried for personal use". See https://www.caa.co.uk/passengers/before-you-fly/baggage/items-that-are-allowed-in-baggage/

Rich Field Telescope, a scope good for wide field views at low magnification.

@Beardy30 This thread may provide some answers...

Seeing in the northwest isn't so great and using a RST-135E here carrying an RC6, so with encoder, on an AstroTrac pier. Guiding usually at 1s currently via a 70mm/270mm finder, with multistar enabled. The mount gives consistently good results, with any guide variation not seemingly affecting the final sub. Love this mount😍

Yes, I should try this. I just wanted to check for new options. I need to keep astro gear to a minimum but want to take some decent kit at the same time lol.

Just wondering if there are now other/better options available. I'm travelling to the see the solar eclipse in April and I'd like to have a 12V supply. I have a Tracer 7Ah LiFePO4 but would need to take a bulky charger. Is there a similar alternative that can be charged using a regular USB 5V supply?

Going down for the weekend with a couple of astro buddies, tickets bought for the conference on both days and The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks show on Sunday. Should be a great weekend🙃

The 8" at Moor Park has been out of action now for 20 years, mainly owing to deterioration of the observatory's general building infrastructure (now refurbished). With just the dome electricals and some minor mechanicals sort (wip), hopefully the scope will be usable soon, in the new year perhaps.

Great! Thanks for the notification.

Yes, I have a RoR observatory with a Mountain Instruments MI-250 mount. The 150 is usually mounted in a side-by-side config with a Baby-Q nowadays but this is currently partially broken down. I have an old photo of the 'holy trinity' in a piggy- back config, FS60CB / FSQ85 / TOA150B for your delectation🤪...