Peter Drew

Another Celestron NexYZ smart phone mount. The first one has proved to be so good we ordered another for our other observatory rather than having to share.

Fullerscopes offered A, B and C quality optics in their Newtonians. The A quality ones were by David Hinds and low expansion glass, the B quality were usually also by David hinds, high optical quality but plate glass. C quality optics were by whoever could make them the cheapest at the time. Refractor optics were either left overs from Broadhurst Clarkson which Fullerscopes took over or made new using the same processes. I think the bronze gears of the MklV mounts were supplied on the export models, Still today one of the sturdiest mounts for the price.

A word of caution. Failure of the original bolts is usually due to the altitude axis being too tight or the bolt having to operate at a high latitude at the limit of its mating part, or both. Replacing these bolts with better quality ones, in these circumstances, may well seek out the next weakest component which could result in the mating tab on the mount breaking or the threads that the bolt operates through stripping.

I find it difficult to believe that this latest version of the C6 OTA has had over 3lb shaved off the weight of the previous ones. The originals were designed to be as light as is practically possible, a 3lb saving would take at least a CF tube and leaving out either the primary or corrector to achieve.

Blimey, are those time lapse images!? At least you can see the sky, totally overcast here.

I don't have a specific answer to this as it's not an issue I've had to address. Several SGL members have though, I suggest you post a "what springs?" question.

I don't recall much in the way of complaints about the Skywatcher primary mirror cells, if anything just the strength of the collimation springs. I would have thought that upgrading these would be cheaper and less hassle than swapping cells.

Box section as shown by Harry and Davy-T would be a better bet. Just to clear any misunderstanding regarding the "Todmorden" mount, the sections are connected via lengths of steel studding, the mortar is just for bedding. I use 2p pieces to provide three point of contact on mine.

This is why it took a 30" for me to see it around 40 years ago. Right now, a much smaller telescope can be successful, good seeing and tight star images are the key.

I think the tripod tray is just missing its attachment screws.

Had a quick look myself around 6pm as one of my favourite areas, Aristarchus and Schroter's Valley were well placed. Disappointing however as the seeing was poor.

Short answer, yes,yes,yes. The telescope will be at the limit of the mount for DSO imaging but quite doable. Moon and planets should be great. Possibly a remote shutter activator to avoid touching the camera, Barlow lens to increase the focal length for a larger image scale. A shorter focal length eyepiece for higher magnification, a reasonably priced zoom such as the Seben 8mm-24mm unit would give you some idea of what the best magnifications are for your purposes.

Using your first ever telescope is going to give you years of exploring the Moon, so much detail, more than any other object and always changing in appearance due to variable illuminaton. Brighter double stars are still available and planets actually benefit from moonlight by the reduction of their glare. There is at least a week each month with no obvious Moon.

Yes, another clear night, what's going on?! Not quite as good as last night but the Moon is putting on a good show. Gassendi, one of my favourite craters is well placed and showing excellent floor detail. Plato's craterlets are much easier to see for some reason but no Alpine Valley rille. Companion to Rigel and Trapezium E & F easy again, interesting to use a zoom eyepiece to see these elusive stars come and go if the magnification is too much or too little, about 350x seemed best on this occasion.

Lovely images, I was fortunate to get a good look at these today.