JeremyS

What a super trip @Nicola Fletcher. So glad you were able to take your Tak 76DCU. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

If I can locate my var polarising filter I can certainly try, Michael. Thanks.

The M210 is indeed a planet killer. Superb views of Jupiter. But I have still not acclimated to the diffraction spikes. I still find them distracting.

That is a very interesting analysis, John. The Tak advantage is marginal, but if one seeks as close to perfection as is possible, then they do generally offer that. I wish I had realised this a few decades ago. Regarding the Tak 100 vs C9.25 comparison, I join you in being a bit surprised by the claims you cite. I have an FC 100DZ and an FS 102, they are generally outperformed (visually) by my C9.25 in terms of Jupiter detail by quite a margin. The latter is a very fine instrument, without the diffraction spikes of my Mewlon 210, but it doesn’t have the “snap” focus of the smaller refractors.

Details from the BAA here: https://britastro.org/forums/topic/2024-bx1-small-neo-impact-last-night

Marvellous 👍🏻

Not sure if you realise it, but your image shows Nova Cas 2021 (V1405 Cas). I have marked it on your image:

New mount Malcolm?

Watch out for the diffraction spikes on bright stars and planets. I’ve still not got used to them with my Mewlon. I find them distracting

Sparkle in star clusters is the realm of refractors, not SCTs (or CC for that matter)

Impressive, Stu? Have you had a chance to compare at 3mm? Eg with your NZ 3-6? I had the impression it might lose a little at that end. But I have been amazed at what Ive experienced so far

Can you draw us a map, Alan? Struggling to keep up 🤣

If it’s stressy it’s not worth doing in my book But I do know what you mean. I sometimes put myself under pressure before a session. In that case I have to have a strong word with myself.

These are planetary/ high res scopes so on axis is what really matters. That and the legendary 1/20 wave Tak optics + baffling

The small scope I never ceased to be amazed by for its gem like quality: Tak FOA 60Q. The 3-inch scope that thinks it’s a 4-inch, but can go everywhere, even on a plane: Tak FS 76DCU The 4-inch scope which could be the one and only lifetime scope: Tak FC 100DZ The almost 5-inch scope that masquerades as a 4-inch scope by virtue of is low weight and compact size: Tak TSA 120

The M210 is lovely too 😊 Mewlons are the only scopes that would deflect me from refractors, visually

And there’s the nub. Nothing much between them, but the little there is can make all the difference on the best nights on certain targets. Much the same argument for scopes.

Splendid 👍🏻

I’m with Mrs Stu in this one 🤣

You certainly don’t hang around when there’s a job to be done, Nigella! 👍🏻

Wonderful 👍🏻

Great sketches John 👍🏻

The distance to reference stars can be related to how bright the variable is. You might need to work on fainter variables. With my C11, the field is also very small on the chip, but I am measuring stars typically fainterthan mag 13, so there are usually plenty of comparison stars available. Comps should be similar brighter to the variable.

Looking good, Nigella 👍🏻

What a splendid sketch 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻