RT65CB-SWL

Hi @Diana73 & son and welcome to SGL. Not sure how good this is... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-heritage-100p-tabletop-dobsonian.html but if you are able or in a position to increase your budget, than these would keep him and you occupied for many years to come. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-150p-dobsonian.html https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-heritage-130p-flextube.html https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/sky-watcher-heritage-150p-flextube-dobsonian-telescope.html Unfortunately FLO are out of stock, as maybe other stockists. Try and avoid buying 'scope from such places such as high street stores, (unless dedicated astro-reseller), online auction sites/warehouses, etc.

I have got the following day off as I am working early shift that week. I just got to find a suitable location with a clear SW horizon near me or near my lady-friend that lives in West London near LHR.

Managed to book an annual leave request at such short notice and accepted by my employer. Same here!

Glass solar filters need to be checked before each and every use too for scratches and pin-holes. I have a Thousand Oaks one.

Hi @Kris123jack & partner and welcome to SGL. +1 for the comments as above. There is photography, astronomy... then there is astro-photography/imaging. My advice would be to start off visual only and ignore online warehouses, online auction sites and high street stores... (unless they have staff they have someone highly knowledgeable, about ‘scopes and astro-imaging). Add another zero to the two hundred GBP and multiply by two will get you started in astro-imaging with results to be proud of. It does not come cheap. If looking at secondhand equipment you can look here in the classifieds/for sale section or UKAB&S.

Mine is more like 'pea-shooter' for comparison.

Very nice @chiltonstar

To give you an idea of what things will look like, have a look at... http://astronomy.tools/calculators/field_of_view/ - just fill in the boxes.

Hi @timothy4 and welcome to SGL. As your Celestron Nexstar is an SCT, do leave it time to acclimatise. I have a 150mm SCT and a 105mm Maksutov and I allow a minimum of thirty minutes before putting in an e/p and start observing. As they are notorious 'dew-magnets' a dew shield is a must have accessory.

Hi @VaderAG & daughter and welcome to SGL. As much as I like National Geographic, (the magazine that is), I would never purchase anything they do optical. If you can stretch you budget to one of the SkyWatcher Heritage series, (i.e. 130 or 150), then you both will have a scope that will be far superior and rewarding.

Sad to see another established GB/UK astro-reseller/business close its doors.

Hi @keora and welcome to SGL. Ripples and eddies are normally trapped air currents in the tube. Best to leave the OTA for about 30 minutes to acclimatise to the surrounding air. Do not observe through a window. Window glass is not perfect... and believe it or not glass is classified as a 'liquid' even in its 'solid' state... (a little bit of useless info via i'net). With higher magnifications you maybe seeing floaters. This is 'normal' and is cells floating in the eye. 4mm is way to much for your OTA - sorry! You could try these... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/bst-starguider-eyepieces.html or these... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/vixen-eyepieces/vixen-npl-eyepieces.html

For me, it's the only hobby that keeps me sane. It's just the maths and equations that drive me insane.

Hi @_steffastrostuff_ and welcome to SGL. I am not into astro-imaging, but my guess is that it is diffraction spikes.

Hi @spottedhaggis & wife and welcome to SGL.

It looks quite 'chav' / 'blingy' like! 😜 Seriously... the UV rays from the Sun changes the anodising finish and is perfectly normal if left out. I have a Meade 20mm Plossl and the chrome nosepiece is going the same, (unless it's me over polishing it)! 🤪

@Pixies I just found this GB/UK supplier of 'O' rings... https://www.barnwell.co.uk/content/uploads/2015/11/Metric-Range.pdf

Hi @Soloula and welcome to SGL. Sorry to read of your LP problem. I am baffled/confused as to why your neighbour has to have four [in]security lights. As others have said, be diplomatic with your approach and/or invite them round when something interesting is happening. During mid-December [2020], Jupiter & Saturn are in close conjunction, so that maybe a 'sweetener'.

Hi @calummac and welcom to SGL. Fellow SGL'er @Lockie has posted a few videos on YouTube (goes under the name of 'DIY Astro') for the Heritage 130 - link here... https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBTXZYuFWQ6lx51L4GeY0Lw

Hi @PATRIOT SKYNET and welcome to SGL. I tend to do avoid buying a kit/set of eyepieces and buy individual. Eyepiece design like photographic lenses include wide, zoom, etc., and can cost more than the kit/set you have. Apologies it it sounds negative. To get any decent detail from the planets you ideally need... clear dark skies dark adapted eyes larger aperture 'scope... for Pluto... bigger still... average magnitude 14.0... and even then it is only a pin-point of light.

Hi @nephilim and welcome back to SGL. I have been reading some of your posts in your absence.

Same here!

Hi @Mr Thingy and welome to SGL.

Wow! ...and welcome to SGL @Marv A