ShrewView

With the extra time I have at the moment, and the weather being so good, I’ve been catching up on a few jobs I’ve been meaning to do. One of these is the re-spotting and recollimation of the mirror on my newt. I found I didn’t have any ring binder re-enforcers but made something similar by hole punching a self-adhesive label and carefully cutting out. With the collimation done and the sun setting I was keen to see whether my time had been well spent. I think it was November when I last had a proper evening of astro, my efforts earlier this week got hazed out, so I was looking forward to this! First up was Venus in the early twilight. Using my binoviewers and a couple of filters in combination (a ND0.9 and the baader neodinium) I got some encouragement with some good sharp views. I could almost swear I could see a little detail but I’m sure that was just wishful thinking. I also tried a UHC and O111 filters as I had some, but they didn’t show anything better. In fact, the O111 had the peculiar effect that after a few minutes observing a bright green target, when I came to look up at Venus by eye, it appeared a bright and angry orange colour, like Arcturus on steroids. After Venus I chose M45 and then the open clusters in Auriga and this was where my earlier work really showed its value. So many pin sharp little stars, far more than I recall when I last viewed these targets. I always feel surprised at how good these targets are though with M37 and 38 the best of them, being a bit more compact. I also had my new TS80mm frac out to see what I could catch and to compare views of the same targets. All were pleasing, albeit smaller in scale. I was also glad to be able to spot M65 and 66 in Leo. Obviously not as good as in the bigger newt which will show the triplet of galaxies in the same field. Still, I’m happy to know I can pick those up in my local skies with this little scope. It bodes well for darker sky trips in future. I followed up with some globs and ended with M13 in Hercules. Always a favourite, but by now a thin film of ice was settling on the scopes and my chair so it was time to call it a night. I’ve been really cheerful today as a result of getting some scope time in, which just shows the value of a good hobby in times like these. Thanks for reading.

Very interesting. Thanks. A tough one. Caught it last year, but very faint even in an 8 inch newt.

Yes I don't think I'd leave mine unattended long. my garden is pretty secure but still doesn't feel quite right leaving it out. I tend to pop in and out of house and sit in dining room with French doors, so can see it all when I'm having a cuppa or checking this forum or stellarium for inspiration on what to look for next. only the hedgehogs to worry about from a wildlife point of view so not too bad on that front.

Waiting for a first light with this little fella. TS 80mm. Hazy cloud at the mo but due to clear.... I hope. Venus is showing through.

A new toy has just arrived, and the forecast is good for the next few days!😲 Bought it as a part of a travel set up, even though I can't actually go far at the moment. Came in a box, inside a box, inside another box. Build feels good but will wait until I've seen stars before I judge. Looking forward to trying it out

Wow. That's still an awful lot of planes! just shows how much movement there still is. Good link this. Thanks.

I think this sends the right message 😀

As a fellow hoarder I sympathize. its hard to part with good working stuff, and even some stuff that isn't. A permanent set up like an obsy in the garden would provide it a home and clear a space in the garage. That's my plan for this year anyway.😀

Thanks for the write up. That sounds great, it may have to go on my list!

It looks to me like the Reindeer. Its a northern polar constellation only normally visible on December 24th, low over the chimneys of peoples houses.

Taken a few shots with the camera but looking forward to the proper pics people will post. just behind a tree at the mo for me, but hoping for more in a bit.

Missed the start but got some decent spells since. Makes you realise how big some of those sun spots must be!

This is looking brilliant. You've spurred me on. I've been doing something similar but only got around 50 so far. Keep going you're getting close.

As above I also have the WO binoviewer and use it with both my refractor and newt. Again I needed to use the 2x barlow nosepiece to get focus with each as the supplied one doesn't quite get there. I really enjoy the views, especially on the moon, and this week with very good conditions was nothing short of stunning so I definitely recommend the binoviewer concept. Other than focus, things to consider are the size and weight of the eyepieces you intend to use. The wider the eyepiece the less room there is between them and therefore your nose. I had thought to get additional eyepieces as you have, but with two of my BST starguiders inserted it was just a little too close for comfort for me. So if you get a viewer try a couple of your similar sized eyepieces for comfort before you buy others to make pairs. It's also a heavy set up so the balance point moves.

That's very good. spent a lot of time looking at this area tonight and that captures so much of what I've been seeing and more. Thanks

Just come in for a quick cuppa and was going to post a similar thing. Its so still, that the detail is hard to believe. Best I've seen for ages. Must be fabulous with that scope!

Go on then I'll play. Not too bad considering but I feel its getting worse.

Got this today. Should help keep me busy.

Just got some new binoviewers from FLO that I'm hoping to try out. It's what wasn't in the box that's got me confused? Oh well you win some, you ....win some?

Here's a couple from the last couple of nights. The nasty orange glow goes down a bit after midnight fortunately. Caught the ISS and a couple of satellites on the second one. .

Yes congratulations and thank you for sharing it with us. A really good thread this, and a very impressive build. Great to see the images you are getting and good to hear its saving you time on setting up.