RT65CB-SWL

...and before every use! If you see any defect, pin holes, etc., do not use it... bin it!

It can be fun watching the Jovian moons disappear and then reappear from behind Jupiter's disc. I remember a few years ago I was viewing Jupiter and did not see any as they where all eclipsed. Not sure how often this happens, but I believe it is a rare event. It was a kind of surreal experience not seeing any of them either side; then suddenly coming out of hiding.

Hi @Alkassim and welcome to SGL. What 'scope/OTA do you own ? I think the best method maybe to somehow make some kind of manual tracking mount. I have seen a few youtube videos of some SCT's manually tracking, with some success tracking the ISS/Zarya. Other satellites will be to small to decern any features, other than a point of light. I get a buzz when I see one whizz across my eyepiece field of view and find it very relaxing on an english summer evening, laying down and tracking them with a pair of binoculars; watching the brightness increase/decrease as it tracks across the night sky. 🛰️ 📡

Congratulations Nigella.

Hi @NealP and welcome to SGL. Question: Are you planning on using the 45 degree erecting prism for terrestrial use only ? - BTW: I have the Celestron one. Not brilliant, but it does ok, (if that makes any sense).

Oddly enough, my lady friend said the same thing to me back in 2017, when I pointed it out to her, whilst walking back to a car park. 😆

Hi @Stretchie_ / Dan and welcome to SGL.

Hi @Jenova and welcome to SGL. I agree with what some SGL'ers above had said. I would recommend a dobsonian to start with... either this --->https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-heritage-130p-flextube.html or this --->https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-150p-dobsonian.html ETX's are good optically, but they tend to eat batteries, (more so when it is cold). If using Ni-Cd or Ni-MH rechargeable batteries, they have an output of 1.2V as opposed to alkaline batteries that have an output of 1.5V. One of the let downs on the ETX range years ago was the drive mechanics. Whether they have updated since, I do not know. I have an earlier generation ETX105, (had the backend 're-modded' after an incident at star party), and use it on an Alt-Az or EQ mount. Any Maksutov or SCT will dew up and you would need to purchase a dew-shield. Another downside with any Mak or SCT is that the field of view is rather narrow compared to that of a refractor or reflector. My 're-modded' ETX105, (c/w SCT 2" star diagonal), mounted an EQ mount.

I use a Manfrotto 055PROB with a joystick/trigger/ball head.

I would get everything setup beforehand and let it equalise to the ambient temperatures... and when you have put everything away, un-pack everything when indoors in an unheated room, (preferably away from heat sources; i.e. radiators, storage heaters, etc.), or in a garage and let it all 'dry out' naturally.

I prefer to use a 2" star diagonal than a 1.25" with my 're-modded' ETX105.

Just a couple of photos to show what type of end cap I am referring to...

Hi Ian/@astronomer2002 -can the firmware be updated? - if not maybe an email to: https://www.celestron.com/pages/support

Delivered yesterday, (or the day before). and left in the electric meter cupboard, a 2"-1.25" reducer/adaptor from @F15Rules/Dave; to accompany my SkyWatcher 28mm e/p, so that I can use it in my TeleVue Ranger, (or with my Mak or SCT, should I forget the Altair Astro 2" star diagonal).

Hi @mike2k and welcome to SGL. A few xmas's past, a colleague that I work with, purchased the SkyWatcher Skyliner 200P dobsonian for his [then six and half year old] son. - both dad and son are still using it. BTW - good advice by fellow SGL'ers given above that have submitted suitable recommendations.

Some 35mm film cannister caps fit the SkyWatcher Apex 2"/28mm eyepiece too!

Hello @andcar/Andrea and welcome to SGL.

At least I can honestly say, to date, I have visually viewed two Transits of Mercury and one of Venus.

Hi @DandD2014 and welcome to SGL. Here are some useful resources/accessories... Stellarium - it's free for most OS desktops/laptops - also available for mobile OS devices for a small fee. Turn Left at Orion:... (also available on 'Kindle') - by Guy Consolmagno & Dan M. Davis. Tri-Atlas - a free .PDF download star atlas in three volumes - WARNING! it fills a CD-ROM if you download and save it on one. sites offering free .PDF files of DSO charts, i.e. Messier, Caldwell, etc. a red light/torch to preserve your night-vision - (even a rear bicycle LED light will do, as long it is not flashing).

Hi @Praseodyymi and welcome to SGL. Must be a Europe-wide phenomena. I Cannot remember the last time I had my 'scopes out! - then again shift work at LHR here in Southern England does not guarentee clear skies on my rest days.

I use either or both at the same time with my Lunt wedge. The ND3.0 is built in to it, (any attempt to remove or modify it, voids the 'lifetime' guarentee/warranty).

If you use a star diagonal, do you use 1.25" or 2" ? - if 2" then I would recommend one with the SCT fitting, (as shown in the images below), attached to my 're-modded' ETX 105 and to a f6.3 focal reducer/field flattener.

I am on a rest day, but Clear Outside app, (and other weather apps), visibilty does does not look good... ...either or from my location.

Couldn't agree more. My TeleVue Ranger, (it is 70mm), has the same qualities as @Rob Sellent says about his TV76.

Hi @tmsantiago and welcome to SGL.