Moonshed

Or if he has been born he doesn’t realise how many mistakes he has made and remains ignorant.

Or are you referring to wear and tear in the mount?

Hi Adam, If you can only see Mars as a bright point of light this could be just a problem getting sufficient magnification. With the eyepieces you have you are getting x20 and x50 not enough really, you need to add a 3 x Barlow lens, you can get them for around £20-25. Even so don’t expect too much. Keith https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=3x+barlow+lens&adgrpid=56953970767&gclid=Cj0KCQiAzsz-BRCCARIsANotFgMzeJoBcO5ixAV0W2lanTor3l-FEL0Oyq9kgeimlcYWVi520MzK6zoaAkJzEALw_wcB&hvadid=259046965144&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9045098&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=14680539150393234506&hvtargid=kwd-366585573997&hydadcr=3955_1711755&tag=googhydr-21&ref=pd_sl_2zhgqsvd8o_e

I use this method, lift my already set up scope out of the shed and onto the concrete apron, placing the legs in the white painted circles. I always use PoleMaster before doing any astrophotography but find that the adjustment required is always very small, and not always necessary, but then I do like to get it as accurate as possible. Keith

After Christmas is out of the way I will be ordering a pair of red goggles. It means I will be able to put them on so I can pop indoors and grab a nice hot cup of tea without loosing my dark adapted eyesight. No more bumping into the tripod legs on my return.

All I can add, is that when I went for an assessment about 20 years ago, a large national chain whose name escapes me, I was told my astigmatism could not be fixed by their laser eye surgery. We can expect that many advances will have been made since then, but then we have all got older too.

Not sure who you are addressing this question to, but if it’s me I’m sorry but I don’t have a clue, I only look at it!

How to live a happy and contented life, already have it all 😂

I am so with you on removing astigmatism! I find my specs get in the way when looking through the eyepiece but essential for everything else, but they can be a real nuisance, especially when fogging up!

Out of idle curiosity I looked up the address on Google Earth and found that the old place has been converted into a very expensive looking private house. I was surprised to find that I once lived only a few miles away, in Ramsden Heath, and never knew they existed, maybe by then in 1972 they didn’t. This is how it looks now, must be worth at least ten bob.

And I thought we were having it bad! Hope things improve for you.

I wonder if we could ever be satisfied? Back in the day when I had to store all my kit in foot lockers and haul them back and forth from the garage for an hour or two observing my only wish was for a permanent set up. Now I have that, in the form of a shed whereby I store my kit fully assembled and only have to lift it out, my only wish is for an observatory. Once I had that I would of course need a larger scope.....and so on. Does it ever end? To be honest, although it would be nice to have an observatory, I’m really not that bothered and count myself lucky when I look at what I do have. Would be nice though Santa. 😄

To live in a country that’s warm and dry, has permanently clear skies and zero light pollution, then I will get down to making my astro list. (I actually thought I had achieved practically all of the above when we left the UK to live on the outskirts of a small village in Spain, it was great, until 6 months later ill health forced me back again. You just can’t win!)

This book caught my eye so I looked it up on Amazon and discovered that the paperback edition is available for £12.95, but there is another later edition that costs a lot more, I’m sticking with this original with the great photo on the cover. I will add it to my ever growing Santa list. I found the description quite moving, for a number of reasons, and thought I would post it here. Sorry about the weird way it’s come out, don’t know why. "The Light-Hearted Astronomer" a self-help classic, was first published in 1984 and went through 4 printings. As the wife of the "The Light-Hearted Astronomer," I am heart broken that my husband of 50 years passed away August 3, 2020. Therefore, I wanted to honor him with a 5th printing of this iconic manuscript. "The Light-Hearted Astronomer" is widely considered to be the first survival manual for astronomy enthusiasts -- an offbeat, inspiring classic in the genre. It's an easy, conversational read; no brag, just fact. It is for those precious tenderfoot beginners who are wandering aimlessly and sorely need advice from someone who has been there, done that, and survived to tell the tale. Anyone is free to pursue observational amateur astronomy in some fashion, providing they cultivate a willingness and sensitivity to see as they've never seen before. Today, the opportunities are boundless and surprisingly affordable – but it all begins with the opening of a naked eye. Aesthetic enjoyment for its own sake should not be discounted as a very good reason to pursue observational amateur astronomy; nor should lack of education, funds, or scientific inclination be determining factors. Amateur astronomy should be first and foremost a visual delight, not a search for answers, or an elitist club. More than anything else, the hobby is for the enjoyment of observers, not scientists. It is, if anything, a journey beyond the map . . . into spiritual territory.

Wow! That is a real piece of kit!

Unfortunately I don’t think you are wrong, I am sure there are some genuine politicians but they are small cogs in a big wheel.

Hi Mark, Just looking at that 1972 photo makes you appreciate how much scopes have changed over the years, to think they were making 6” Newts with square wooden tubes, the end result was the same though! I wonder how many of those are still around, I can’t imagine a wooden box frame would hold its shape well over the years, or do they? Perhaps if any members are the proud owners of a wooden tube scope they could stick their hand up. Keith

Not sure if you now have the flip mirror or not but just to say I bought this one from Amazon a couple of weeks ago for £60 delivered and it’s brilliant with my SCT. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Omegon-Syncfocus-flip-mirror-planetary-cameras/dp/B01IQOI8CI/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Astronomical+flip+mirror&qid=1607622016&sr=8-1

Apart from upgrading the stainless steel to their own spec they have also been looking at attaching heat shield tiles to the “belly” side of the ship, similar tiles to those used on the Space Shuttle but easier to apply and of a modern material. Seems a good idea!

Hi, this is my favourite for checking cloud cover and what may be heading my way if it looks clear at the moment. It’s an infrared satellite image covering Europe, simply stick your location in and you are up and running. Gives updates every 15 minutes but it does not give forecasts. https://en.sat24.com/en Edit. It does now give forecasts.

With the weather being so bad I don’t think you need to worry too much about people buying new kit, most of us have taken up temporary alternative hobbies during the hours of darkness, such as sleeping for example.

You’ve given me a thought, perhaps we should float the idea that all astronomical club meetings should begin with a short reading from it and then pass the collection plate round.

Amazing images! I like the more natural looking colour in the first image but in the second the darker tones bring out the detail more. Great job.

Totally agree, rubbish tv.

An incredible achievement, pick your own superlatives. The fact that it came so close to complete success on its first flight and using techniques never used before is nothing less than absolutely amazing. It’s only a matter of time before this becomes a safe and reliable routine. Congratulations to the SpaceX team. Keith