Alan White

Those work well, had one on a Vixen GP mount, very smooth and nice.

Postperson Pete has been today. My purchase from @Saganite in the classifieds. Now the xpensive bit begins, all those pairs of EP to now purchse. Looking forward to the two eyed experience to come.

Even with the cost of cable, a mains run would be far cheaper than all the Solar Kit and Battery Costs.

If I am honest all of the terms befuddle me and are in a way meaningless. Its more a gut feeling of more or lower light pollution visible to my eyes. I have to say I am with @niallk on not liking insecurity lights, but thats well documented on this forum.

I already own my Dream telescopes, back in the mist of time I wanted a decent refractor and a light bucket, back then that would have been a 3" refractor and a 6" reflector, it was all that I could of obtained. I managed to dream big and get a 4" decent refractor and a 10" dobsonian, dream achieved. The reality is, I want to move to a darker sky and work etc. prohibits this for now. But I can dream of retirement and darker skies.

Something that like so many have looked forward to for a long while Something I think we all are equally concerned about as well So let’s hope as well as all the fine science and engineering that has and is going on that Lady Luck is available at launch and deployment.

I see your temptation, but suggest you resist. My binoculars have more use than any astronomy purchase by a long way, but Sell the scope/s, never it is a different experience and worth the work when desired, Have both, use both in my opinion.

Now when the building industry had Cement shortages, why did no one see this oportunity? 😉

It looks like a multiple launch button John, well spotted. Did this laptop come in a large briefcase from the States? If so a certain Marine is missing one 😉

Amazing the powers of Weetabix!

Is no one helping you, perhaps no one has done what you suggest here in the UK. Your idea of solar and a inverter sounds reasonable, but I have no idea how much stored power the inverter will need, but I do have experience of Solar power and energy stored in batteries. In my camper van I have solar panels feeding two 12v 130 Ah Batteries, this runs the vans 12v power incl fridge etc. for up to 48 hours without charge and very reliable. UK solar charge will be more variable than you may get in Florida of course. Good luck with whatever direction you take.

That looks a very solid computer, ex-military?

Boom Boom 😂

I too did similar last night for a while, until the damp and cold got me. Lunar was indeed quite splendid and I spent a longtime enjoying my Vixen HR 3.4, now wondering about a step higher on good nights as well. I used the AZ75 and found the gentle movements very smooth at this level of magnification. Have had a lay off over a fe weeks and this session was very welcome and much needed, I felt the Lunar magic work its wonders. Glad you enjoyed your time as well Paul, glad I was not out alone.

Very tidy job Nigella, Is this for the Solar set up?

We used to have family living at a Dark Sky location, it was always amazing to look up when visiting. Often just the eyeball view was enough to draw comment, but the binocular view made things sing. Sadly the family member has now passed away and that avenue of adventure now closed. Its an amazing sight though and I expect a Dark Sky in remote Oz is far Darker than one in Blighty.

Pah, why so small if it’s the only one. Clearly the Observatory with attached Manor will need to be in a remote Dark Sky area. Keep saving Mike.

Silly you, of course you don't need four, clearly you need far more! 😉

Hmm, that's me labelled a Classic then as well, well past 25 and very much old and knackered too.

Bet that was chilly this morning. Nice image, like that it is a single exposure as well.

Hmmm, beacuse its Classic or because its marketing. Just think of all those Pro versions of many products? In answer to the OP, its something that is held in esteem and has earnt it's place in the hall of fame, so outstanding in some way, good or bad and its more than 20 years old perhaps. It can even have a mirror inside if you like 😉 Oh and in Car terms in the UK, the Austin Allegro is a Classic Car.....

Mark, you lucky thing, if its clear otherwise, poor old you. I often wish upon a powercut for a dark sky, never happens though round here.....famous last words!

And probably have plenty of pecket change as well. Jockingly tell my two daughters that I will run to a pub snack (packet of crisps) and a drink at the bar, other than that don't get to excited.......but I don't mean a word of it though and one day perhaps will have to dig deep.

I think that needs a drum roll Ags, very good.

Welcome back into the interest, having a hiatus is quite common amongst us. On the allignment, I cannot comment about your mount, but your scope will have a narrow field due to the focal length, so all allignments will have a highre change of discrepany. Stick with it, enjoy the ride and don't let light pollution get you down, lots to see even with it blighting our night skies.