RT65CB-SWL

Hi @Razner and welcom to SGL.

+1 for the Pleiades [M45]. It never fails to impress and the amount of: "Aah's", "Ooh's" & "Wow's", etc., ...and the smiles are priceless. Another good one to go for, though maybe a bit of a challange, is the 'Coathanger' [Collinder 339] a.k.a. Brochi's cluster. It is located near the border of Vulpecula and Sagita. I viewed it from my Bortle 6 skies a few years ago with 7x50's. <--- All being well; this is what you should see.

First off @Jedite83 welcome to SGL. If you can add some photo's than we can advise better. Second: if it is sentimental value; then maybe keep it... I will leave that decision for you to decide. Third: what did you use to clean it? - there are plenty of sites, including here, on how to clean mirrors. Fourth: what do want to view. 114mm will show the Moon in greater detail; the phases of Venus, Jupiter and its Galilean Moon's; i.e. Io, Europa, Ganymede & Callisto; Saturn and it rings... and maybe its largest moon Titan, some DSO's. Fifth: any 'scope is better than none. Other SGL'ers will hopefully suggest what is best for you and what else you can view with it. Wishing you and your family clear skies.

...because they are to busy Russian around to release v2.0.x, mein herr! 😜

Thank you @John. I would like to say; that I find the Explore Scientific CLS filter to be a tad better than the Baader Planetarium Contrast Booster filter. Maybe it's just me! Others may tend to agree or disagree as @John has said.

If you use a filter... either of these --->https://www.firstlightoptics.com/explore-scientific-filters.html (other brands are also available), they will enhance some of the finer detail and your viewing.

Or you could use one of these micro-focussers... <--- @johninderby image of the helical focusser. You will also need a 1.25" or 2" to T-ring nosepiece as well to attach to the telescope visual back... <--- 1.25" T-ring nosepiece.

Very nice images of Mars, Saturn & Jupiter + the Moon in the same frame. It reminds me of the early 2000's when the five 'naked eye' planets were all visible at the same time, like string of pearls strung across the evening sky, for a few weeks.

These appear look like filters... Never seen a 'ruddy' coloured pair of binoculars... my binoculars are a 'black' colour! 😜

Hi @Philip. and welcome back to SGL ...from another Philip

Silly question time... I am thinking of flocking my C6/SCT and 're-modded' ETX105... should I remove the primary mirror assembly too? so I have a totally naked tube! Tnx in adv.

If you have a TeleVue Radian* and/or Nagler-T4** they included is this plastic disc ---> This disc is what they called a 'Pupil Guide'... (I have attached the instructions on how to use it and for the eyepiece). You can use the e/p's with or without it. Basically it is to help you position your pupil, as the adjustable eye-guard is moved up or down the barrel. It does not help with focusing; but does help in masking stray light on the external glass surface or reducing internal glare resulting in better contrast, etc. * 60deg AFOV ** 82deg AFOV TV Pupil Guide Instructions.pdf TV Radian Eyepiece Instructions.pdf

Here's mine... I was born fifty [50] years earlier.

Congratulations! - I don't think it is visible from GB/UK 🇬🇧 latitudes. I have seen a few ISS and supplies satellite; (combined, not docked); sightings.

Hi @kevin1 and welcome to SGL. Q. How far away was the chimney pot? A. Ideally you need something about 1-2miles/kms away i.e. TV/radio mast, wind turbine, etc., will do; (same applies for aligning a traditional telescope finderscope too); and start with your lowest power e/p first. Also, you need to setup/use it with one eye so the red dot is projected on the sky and not be focusing your eye on the RDF body; if that makes sense. TeleVue, (and other brands), recommend 12-14inches/30-35cms minimum for their Qwik-Point (QBT-1006) RDF. When I purchased mine from Venturescope, many years ago; I did ask Ninian Boyle about eye placement and that it is what he told me.

I use one too... and when travelling light and with my 're-modded' ETX105.

Hi @traeba and welcome to SGL. I personally use a Manfrotto 055PROB and a joystick/trigger grip with mine... left: 7x50 - right: 20x80

@bingevader means: "With a solar filter..." he is referring to a full aperture one that covers the end of the tube. DO NOT buy this... They are highly dangerous!

I too live in Bortle 6 skies and I find the CLS to be ok. Out of interest which brand did you buy? - I have the Explore Scientific one. For viewing fainter objects, averted vision works.

This was my Vixen GP... somewhat of a pain to balance with these two [Celestron C6/SCT and 're-modded' Meade ETX105] on-board ...but OK with one on-board ...and a lovely mount to use ...and "yes" I do miss it. I have reverted back to alt-az mounts with an AOK-AYO and Tele-Optic Giro.

Hi Paulo and welcome to SGL. As per what @rwilkey says in his first reply. When lining up the finderscope with the telescope tube, aim for something about one mile/kilometre or more away... i.e. radio/TV mast, wind generator/turbine tower, etc. @rwilkey - I have just done a search and I think it it is... 'Seben'... if it is, @Paulo Silva can you confirm? - just to let you know, I owned the red 'Tasco' version of this 'scope years ago, (I only had it for about 4-6 months. It was the shortest length of ownership I have owned a telescope). The tripod was extremely flimsy, and the 'U-shape' yoke that holds the tube was useless... sorry to be a killjoy. I know this COVID-19 virus is having a knock-on effect to suppliers and dealers, but I would advise you to invest in something better: i.e. a SkyWatcher 130P Heritage or SkyWatcher Skyliner 150P Dobsonian. Links to them [plus others] are in this article --->https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes.html @Paulo Silva - I would like to apologies if I appear negative towards your current/present setup. Just doing my bit to help/advise.

As long as you do not expect to much from the tripod or 'scope, it will do as a temporary solution. Ensure the 'scope is secure to the head and if the plate is of the quick-release type, ensure that it is secure too, before each and every use. Do not expect eye-popping views; (stick to low power for the time being); as it may well tend to vibrate a bit, (useful tip: get a heavy weight and some cord/wire or place weight in a bag and attach it to the hook will help dampen the vibrations).

@MKHACHFE - thank you posting this question, as I have a Nikon D40x & D80, (and two digital compact cameras), and I was going to ask the same at some point.

Hi Simon and welcome to SGL.

Imagine now... how Orion would appear in the night sky if Betelgeuse had gone supernova and ended up as a black hole or white dwarf. I know Betelguese is just out of frame, but gives you some idea.