kevenh

55 minutes ago, _steffastrostuff_ said:

Hi there

Im a bit confused on whether or not i can plug my mount straight into the 12V cigarette lighter in my car. I use a Skywatcher HEQ5 pro. I need to travel away from home to observe an ISS lunar transit so i won't be able to use the mains powersupply that i normally use. Im thinking i could use the 12V plug that is supplied with the mount for this.

Is it safe to do this? I don't want to try it in fear of damaging my mount. 

Hope you can help me out

Why not a power pack?https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0713T4XT9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

A week or so I good I did some preliminary research for a decent 32mm eyepiece.  Looking at my results today I went for budget but decent.

I have ended up with a shortlist of: -

Revelation 32.0mm Plossl Eyepiece 1.25"
Celestron 93323 1-1/4-32 mm Omni Series Eyepiece
Baader Planetarium 32 mm Classic Ortho Eyepiece

My query today as I recheck my findings is the Revelation one.  That is coming up at almost half the price of the other two (at www.telescopehouse.com)

But this eyepiece made my shortlist due to positive comments about the GSO build.
So, finally, my question, does the purchase price suggest this 32mm isn't a GSO?

No rush here.  It's a wish list not a need list - as I remind myself... lol

There was some PICNIC

In today's Sun viewing my kit 25mm  Plössl eyepiece could show a full sun disk (sunspot 2776 seen ✅ )

So now I am where I wanted to be Wednesday: How to get my 760D DSLR able to see a full disk sun?  I'll get my hands dirty with a little bit of my own research...

Thanks for the feedback my earlier posts gained👍

edit: OK, a f/6.3 focal reducer looks like the extra bit of kit needed: -

Sorry the question was unclear.

I found this post while looking for help with how a Focal Reducer could help my observations.

The FOV calc shows my two eyepieces should have full views of the Sun.

In real life the Sun is too large viewed by either.

I asked if I was making a mistake in my FOV calc setup.

astrotim suggests I am not making a mistake but that I should allow for how my focuser is adjusted/positioned - and that I had not done.

On 04/10/2020 at 20:02, michael8554 said:

You can enter your equipment details in a FOV calculator.

Then change your focal length to FL x O.XX, where 0.XX is the FR ratio, and that will give you the reduced FOV.

https://astronomy.tools/calculators/field_of_view/

 

Still on topic as a rookie looking at the need for a focal reducer.

But I can't match my real views with the FOV calc.

In the image above, the Sun is shown as fully visible on my SE8, but I came to SGL to see how a focal reducer would help me get to that point   i.e. I have only part of the Sun in view as there is too much zoom.

I have two EP, the Celestron supplied 25mm and a Hyperflex 7.2mm-21.5mm Eyepiece (hence what I setup in the FOV Calc)

Missing from the equipment entry list is the  90 degree adaptor but that is 1:1 and only flips the image.

What mistake am I making?

My ready made solar filter arrived so I've some practical feedback for these questions: -

Quote

Will the remote hand control even allow me to look at the Sun ? I guess it will issue warnings at the very least ?

On my Nexstar HC I used the Menu options to remove the block on the Sun as a GoTo target.

Now the Sun can be displayed as a Solar System alignment option AND a sky object.

But each time it is chosen as either, there is a 2nd check to "Enter" through that reminds you of the danger of sun observations.

On 12/10/2020 at 00:33, W0nderste said:

Hi, I've got a Celestron XLT Omni SCT

the last couple of sessions have been ruined by dew.  I've got an astrozap heated dew shield on the way, but I read somewhere about insulating Maks/SCTs.  Has anyone got any tips on what material to use and the best way to do it?

thanks

Oh! A dew shield AND insulation?

Hmm!  Not got  dew shield yet.  Might have to wait for the next credit card cycle

But something like this looks like what others are using as insulation.

I'm confused tho.  It's early in my checks so I haven't look at the SGL DIY section yet, but how/where are we putting the radiator backing? 

Is it important to get self adhesive stuff or actually worse?

Thanks for more feedback.

My head now knows that Nexstar can align if not dead level but I'll still try for that

My alignment needs improving elsewhere.

The best I had it was via a Skyalign using two unknown bright stars as #1 & #2 and Mars as bright object #3.

With that I had a 'success' from the HC and could Goto Uranus & Saturn.  Then back to Mars.  Which was in my 22mm EP but not dead centre.

Thanks for feedback 👍🏻
It helped me find this discussion.

But that was not a clear defence of not levelling.
I own a metre long spirit level. I’ll add a decent smaller spirit level and use that for astronomy while I learn about my nee scope’s foibles. 
 

edit. I’d like the nexstar GPS add on.  Maybe later when I’ve got the basics working/learnt.  No short cuts - well, except one coming up in the Prime sale this week 😱

So the little circular bubble level is weak.

But how to improve the levelling stage a head of the alignment stage?

A traditional level like this one

Or a simple multi purpose one like this one?

And we do this on the tripod before adding the mount & OTA?

The mount looks gently curved. How do we check that for level or do we trust the ‘fit’?

Quote

 

1 Is this Eclipsmart Filter really 100% safe?
2 Can scratches damage it ?
3 Could the filter fall off by accident ?

4 Get knocked of by the dog ?
5 Will the remote hand control even allow me to look at the Sun ?
6 I guess it will issue warnings at the very least ?

7 So many Stars are so far away ; yet Sol is right next to us... so how can any Astronomer ignore it?
8 I'm also thinking of using a lesser scope for the task... but if solar filters really block 99.99% of sunlight, how can I possibly damage my Nexstar 6se?

 

1. It will be safe if checked for pinholes & other damage before each use.  I’ve found that a modern bright LED bike light can be used to look for “leakage”

2. Yes but I’m sure the film will be double sided so scratches need to be on both sides or of penetrated through.

3. Never say never but the chance of it occurring during an actual observation is very low. When you’re not observing do move the scope well away from where the sun is or will be.

4. I think 3 applies.

5 & 6. By default, yes, there is a block on aligning the Nexstsr scope to the sun.  Easily altered in the HC menu. No warning for the setting change as you’ll be expected to know the result of your actions.

7. I couldn’t ignore the sun or moon as local light pollution makes these easy observations.  I think lots of us fit in solar viewing.

8. It is possible to damage a scope during solar observation.  But simple care and sense removes the risk.  Be alert & don’t be distracted. Keep the filter attached until the scope is pointing well away from the sun.  Move the scope if something else needs your attention.

You’ve mentioned awareness of the finder scope “challenge” so I think you’re all set.

I’ve bumped an old post but I saw some unanswered questions and I’m about to start Eclipsmart solar viewing on my new Nexstsr 8SE

My previous experience is with a Baader solar film homemade card box box filter on a refractor 👍🏻

Thank you all for taking the time to respond.

It sounds like I have to persist with the harsh lesson I learned about assembling the mount & OTA on the garage carpet.  NOT the tripod.

As well as watch how I enter date & time values, for the alignment I could take the time two learn the names of two stars for the "Two Star Alignment" method.

For this part of the 6/8SE manual

 Press UNDO to display the names of the three bright objects you aligned to, or press ENTER to accept these three objects for alignment

I have only seen the Hand Controller mention 'custom 1', etc. for my chosen objects.  Never a name. 

I'll look out for real names - maybe when I looked it was for the unsuccessful alignment.

Anyway, it looks like I'll be persisting & not putting the scope back in the box.

Except when I head to the darker skies of campsites....

Thanks again.

Monday 5th Oct: un-boxing & 1st View

During the day outside I unboxed a Nexstar 8SE (25mm EP) and did a course alignment of the red dot finder. I'm using a TalentCell power bank & that worked well.

I planned to leave the scope outside but rain arrived.

In the evening I attempted to setup the scope in the dark.  I misplaced the camping and the OTA fell into the luckily soft lawn. So that's the metal Shell christened 🤔

I did get to see a glorious moon surface. More detail than from my 80EQ firstscope.

Evening 2: Tuesday 6th

Mars was tonight's planned view.

I didn't get on with a skylight so did a solar align on Mars.

Compared to my old scope I've made Mars a brighter White disc with some greyed areas.  (25mm & zoom EP)

The worst thing was mars drifted and when I tried Goto the scope went further away.  Looking at my setup I found North America rather than U.K. 🤔

Eve 3 Friday 9th

Last night i.used a GPS to add my garden's Long & Lat as well as a time entry using seconds with my iPhone as the visual time aid.

I failed again at the 1st skyalign.  The solar planet align was used again.

Mars was the target and my viewing.

It was a bright disc again but with maybe more obvious slightly darker areas.

Mars drifted again even though the scope's Motors could be heard.

I retired a 3 bright object alignment and this time the Nexstar was happy.

I could choose over planets and Goto back to Mars. It wasn't central in the eyepiece but OK

Tl,Dr

How similar to novice backyard astronomers is my early experience?

I am surprised at the drift in a goto.but hope.that I just need to be better at Skyalign.

The focus setup looks good as Mars out of focus is two perfect circles looking like a doughnut. I didn't observe how an OOF star looked.

******   Bottom line, when the scope fell out of the clamp that 1st day, have I damaged it's function and not just good looks? ****** 

****** Is drift a sign of inaccurate alignment? *********

ps Not mentioned is my garden is poor for light pollution and with the old scope it became just viewing the moon & Sun I relied on for interest.

Mars did look ok ~2000 we saw a polar cap with the old scope.

Oh!! Good idea for a thread.  I'm another TalentCell purchaser

Plus longer DC-DC cable.

On 12/10/2009 at 11:26, kevenh said:

I'm trying to get more practical use of my astronomy hobby.

<snip>

I do get a cardboard Solarscope out to look for Sunspots

Still 'trying' to do more.  Not done a lot in the 10+ years.  (still in same house next to a School's security lights - tbf they go off at 10pm)

I did migrate from the cardboard Solarscope to a DIY Sun filter made with Baader’s AstroSolar film to watch & photo sunspots with the refractor.

Recently bought a motorhome & ended up seeing Neowise, meteorite showers,  Jupiter & moons while camping and that gave me the idea of letting my little sis have the Celestron firstscope 80eq and buying a Nexstatr 8SE.

That's a portable scope 

Huge thanks for the prompt feedback 👍🏻
I’ll also go for the more compact sized 36W version.

On 09/09/2020 at 14:49, ScouseSpaceCadet said:

 I've changed to a Talentcell 6000mah@12v battery. A search will find it's commonly used with the likes of AZGTIs and Star Discovery Synscan style mounts.

<snip>

Bear in mind the cable is way too short. A new one ranges from around £1.87 for a generic el cheapo to £17 for a snazzy Lynx Astro job.

Hi.  How well is the Talentcell working out for you?

Did you get new cables?

Amazon have a bigger Talentcell, a 72W one

With how you got on with the 36W would you change anything?

Thanks in advance. 

I hate burning through alkaline batteries & think standard AA nimh will be too low in the volts area

And go out and find some like minded people

For example, there's a gathering at the Thatcham Town Council office I'd like to shoehorn into an already busy evening tonight.

I'm trying to get more practicle use of my astronomy hobby.

I've had a Celestron firstscope 80eq (model # 21086) since the tail end of the 'season' when Mars was at it's closest to Earth.

When I discovered the effects of light pollution I then just became a Moon watcher. But even doing that faded. I did get a series of photos of a Lunar Eclipse on 04 Mar 2007

I do get a cardboard Solarscope out to look for Sunspots

I'm in West Berkshire :?