Oldfort

You could also look at this from Televue: https://televue.com/engine/TV3b_page.asp?id=71&Tab=_TRF No problem with import duty as you are in the USA.

You don't give us much to go on, but you will find a lot of information here: http://www.scopeviews.co.uk/

Zermelo, thanks for posting this. It's a wonderful discovery. I found the article in Space a bit garbled, but this one in Nature was clearer and more detailed. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-03296-1

I have bought a couple of books direct from Sky Publishing in the last year. They worked out cheaper than buying new in the UK, although that was before the £ tanked. They also arrived much quicker than I expected.

Not sure I understand this, but you can get a 2" to 1.25" clicklock adapter https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/baader-clicklock-2-125-adapter-2956214.html

I have all the current range (other than the 31mm) and a few discontinued models. Until quite recently, the type 6s cost only a little more than the Delites, and having done a side by side comparison, I'd say the Naglers were clearly ahead. The 1.25" models are also quite compact. BTW the Delites are excellent, I'm not knocking them. However, if you need to wear glasses for viewing (typically because of moderate to severe astigmatism), then the shorter focal length Naglers won't be suitable. I also love the 2" Naglers, but they are significantly more pricey now. Fortunately, if you want them, they still appear quite frequently on the second hand market.

The Giros usually had either a 3/8" or M10 threaded hole in the base. If you have 3/8" you can use most camera tripods directly. If it is M10, you can use an R10 adapter from berlebach and still use a camera tripod. There are many many such tripods, and you get what you pay for.

Yes, just the base. It does have its sweet spot, in this case the upper right quadrant, so visually it has to be moved around to see what's there. and actually it's better on prominences than surface detail. But a bit of a processing brings out some reasonable detail. Also it's not designed for imaging, so I used a TV delite eyepiece, the TV phone adapter and an iPhone.

Lots of action today. Here's a couple of snaps (not worthy of going into the imagaing section), to give a taster of it. The sun was over a block of flats, so lots of thermals in the morning warm up. PST & Tak FOA 60Q with Baader wedge.

There's a detailed review here http://www.scopeviews.co.uk/ZeissConquest8x32HD.htm The author, Roger Vine is very experienced with binocuIars, as you can see from the rest of his website. I have had the 10x42 Conquest for about 10 years, and have been very pleased with them. I found them really bright, so much so that I was quite disappointed with the perormance of several 50mm finders that I tried in an attempt to find faint stuff from city skies.

Regarding what could go wrong, have you checked whether you need planning permission?

There is "The Deep-Sky Observer" produced by the Webb Society - www.Webbdeepsky.com . This is primarily a visual focused magazine but it contains many images as well. The Webb Society also publishes a number of handbooks on visual observations of particular classes of object.

When you're not observing, you could do a punch and Judy show.

I wouldn't know the answer, but you illustration is very difficult to read. It's practically monochrome, the rays are rather faint, and the numbers too small. Perhaps a brighter background would help.

I agree. I suppose I could have spent more than 10 seconds on processing, as there is a reasonable amount of surface detail in the image, but I really just wanted to show the prom.

Here's a quick snap from my phone.

There's a large prominence to the South east this morning (Friday 26 Aug). It looks like a tree in winter, and is one of the tallest I have seen. Several other proms as well, and good surface detail.

Well, ok, this isn't DIY or bespoke, but have a look at what's on offer here https://cygnusastrocovers.wixsite.com/mysite/shop Neil, who makes them, is not strong on communication but in my experience the ordered item turns up after a week or two. They are light weight, reasonably priced and provide various degrees of protection. I have no affiliation with the vendor.

The Delite range is terrific. They are wide enough for me, with very little distortion. I have most of the nagler range and never thought I'd buy anything else, but I found the naglers didn't suit me with a coronado pst, and I bought a used Delite 11mm on a whim, more or less. I now have most of the range, as I was so impressed. Although I wear glasses most of the time, I don't for observing, but I still find the long eye relief beneficial, and the adjustable height is really useful. And they are not just good with the PST but also with my regular refractors and C8. Happy viewing

2" at FLO. Out of stock. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomy-optics-cleaning-protection/astro-essentials-2-nosepiece-cap.html

Greenwich, where I live, used to be in Kent. Does that count? Welcome

Don't forget you will need to pay import duty and VAT, and you may find sellers want payment in US$ cheques.

I too have experienced this. My Uni lives out on a balcony all year round, and it's currenetly in slip/slide mode. The varnish on the legs is pretty much gone, and I've been wondering whether a revarnish would help, but actually more worried that the whole would just glue together if I did that. I'd be interested in views or advice. on this.

Nice Defender.

Not just time but location as well. Terrible here in Greenwich.