Oldfort

I have had one of these for about 6 months, and I'm pleased with it.  It fits all the 1 1/4" Naglers and Panoptics, plus a powermate.  Because it's quite deep, I can double stack some Delites as well. So a lot fits in a compact space, and it's padded well enough for my needs.

14 hours ago, NobodyReally said:

Do you know (or anybody else reading this) know if there are commerical solar filters designed to fit specific endcap holes?   I've got a Vixen R130 with such a hole.  I'm on the verge of making one myself, but I like to have options and prefer not to have my equipment look too "amateur who doesn't have the requistie skills" ...

 

I'm not even sure where I'd get a replacement small-hole cap replacment?

 

Thanks,

 

Stuart

Is this the sort of thing you are looking for?

https://www.widescreen-centre.co.uk/white-light-filters.html

There are plenty of other suppliers.

Quote

Given your interest in DSOs, then I suggest you get a copy of "Visual Astronomy of the Deep Sky" by Roger N Clark.  This has an in depth discussion of how to get the best out of your equipment.  His website is useful :  https://clarkvision.com/articles/visastro/index.html

I agree with the prior comments that an 8" in a bortle 4 sky should provide wonderful viewing opportunities.

For the money, this looks like a fun travelscope, so I bought one.  My main issue with it is there is a lot of backlash on the focuser.

I can't see if there is a way to adjust it.

Seems to me that the item in question was on an ebay auction.  Anyone here could have bid and won.  The fact that a dealer took a risk (the description of the set of eyepieces didn't inspire confidence that the set would be in great condition) and then is able to onsell them at a decent profit is just part of everyday life. 

Plenty of action again today, although prominences not so prominent as yesterday.

The sun was fabulous this morning, in both white light and Hα, including a huge but faint prominence. 

9 hours ago, JamesF said:

Oooh, what did you use?  I went with stainless pan-head (of course) allen bolts and domed nuts when one of ours failed because the dishwasher ate the cheap and nasty "metal" the manufacturer used for rivets, but something lower-profile would have been preferable.

James

I used socket head button screws and thin nuts.  The pans stack inside each other, else I would have used cap srews but here wasn't enough room.  ALl A4 stainless.

On 22/08/2021 at 14:44, Swoop1 said:

You lot are complete and utter gits. I have clicked on both those links and it is all your fault.....

😉

You may thank us one day.

For example, I was recently able to fix a set of cooking saucepans, of which the rivets holding the handles had failed, because of my extensive set of stainless steel fasteners.  I got quite a few brownie points for that.

It might have been me that posted about the WDS catalogue.

I have also had great experiences with Accu for fasteners and related kit.

https://www.accu.co.uk/en/

I've had items ordered on a Sunday delivered the next day, even though I opted for standard delivery.

45 minutes ago, Space Hopper said:

Haha, who knows ?  I thought that was     "for the benefit of all"

@Oldfort its a lovely looking scope.

Interestingly, the 90mm version is 'only' £600 or so less than the 107mm

And £600 is quite a modest increase for 17mm extra aperture in the refractor world.

I wonder how they perform optically ? Its a Canon designed optic isn't it ??

The lens unit says "Fluorite Lens by Canon Optron Inc".  Canon Optron is a specialist subsidiary of Canon Inc.

I agree with your point about the price differential with the 90mm.  Barring the lens, I think the only difference between the 90 and the 107 is the bigger lens housing for the latter. The tube components, focusser, rings and dovetail are the same.

I've not had the chance to take mine anywhere yet, but it is quite compact.

Can I play, please please.

Thre is an adapter

https://www.berlebach.de/en/?bereich=details&id=670

M31 is fairly easy to find.  My technique at this time of year, when Andromeda is rising in the east is to start from the square of Pegasus, head left into Andromeda.  When you come to the 3 stars heading up, M31 is just a bit further up and to the right of the topmost star.

The attached image might help.

M31.pdf

I too have not seen anything on this topic, and I have no direct experience to fall back on since I have never observed from a truly dark location.

However, just as one doesn't get light pollution from the sun during the hours of astronominal night (conventionally when the sun is 18 degrees below the horizon), there will be  similar effect with the moon.  My guess is that it wouldn't need to be so far below the horizon for it to not contribute to sky brightening. 

I'm not sure the illuminated reticle is worth the extra money, unless you have very dark skies.  On the other hand you get a complete package that screws onto the C8 without you needing to buy a finder shoe, and it is in stock per the FLO website.

Have you tried this company?

http://binocular-repair.co.uk/

I don't know anything about them other than what's on their website.

2 hours ago, Stephenstargazer said:

As the current AZ100 needs only to have encoders fitted, rather than motors and motorboards as on a go-to mount, it will be pretty resilient on a pier. The mount materials and stainless steel fixtures are durable. However for any mount kept outside the critical item is the durability of the cover and some measure to prevent condensation inside. Views differ on whether to provide heat, a dessicant, ventilation or a combination of these !

In my case, I have removed the cover quite freqently, and replaced it from time to time.  I expect I will bring the mount inside from October to April.

On 24/07/2021 at 18:11, George Jones said:

Even though I love Weinberg's advanced books, I say the following. I am glad that: 1) they are on my shelf; 2) I am not taking a course that uses any of them as the text; 3) I am not teaching a course that uses any of them as the text. Weinberg explains (at a technical level) some things better than anyone. Sometimes I read a passage in Weinberg, and I think to myself "Wow, I finally understand what is really going on." There are, however, passages in Weinberg's books that I find difficult to understand. Also, sometimes it is difficult to see past the clutter of Weinberg's notation

I agree.  I tried to learn general relativity from "Gravitation & Cosmology" and it was very hard work.  On the other hand that book was a lot lighter than Gravitation by Misner, Thorne & Wheeler.

3 minutes ago, Alan White said:

A question for the AZ100 owners, I still hanker to be one. 

Has anyone left one outside on a pier and just covered?

If so how is it holding up?

I have no doubt it will be fine, but just asking.

Mine lives outside on a tripod, with just a black bag covering it.  It's not quite outside in that it's on a balcony, which has a roof, but it is often windy enough for the rain to be blasted horizontally on to the tripod & mount.  I've had no problems with this after about 4 months.

There's a lot going this morning.  At least 4 groups, one as yet unnamed (the pair of spots) and some small proms, with a very clear spikule.

Here's a taster

13 hours ago, Gfamily said:

Excellent suggestion. To which I'll add Newgrange (or the whole Brú na Bóinne site). A fascinating visit including a guided tour of the Neolithic monuments.

When we were there, English Heritage members got free or reduced entry (can't remember which). 

Yes, Newgrange is a terrific site. Sadly when I went I drew the short straw and had to stay outside with my three year old. 

Rusted, Thanks.

I took this using an altaz mount, Lunt wedge and TV76.  I think I did a mirror flip in processing, so probably just need rotation to get the right orientation.

The image processing side of things is largely a mystery to me at the moment.

Stonehenge.