Alan White

I will struggle with this at the present as Orion is headed well West and low once dark. The worst direction for blocked horizon due to trees etc. Something for the next year list.

Indeed we do, indeed we do. Sadly part of the Astro journey Experience and gaining our Astro Wisdom.

Interesting thread here Paul, somehow missed until just now. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and findings. Clearly this is very much a personal thing for us all, depends upon seeing, local conditions, our eyesight and many other things too. I own both Reflectors and Refractors and flip flop between my scope of favour, often depending on the time of year and what I am observing. An 80mm or 150mm is a Mike above says, not quite a direct comparison as the amount of light collected and resolution is not equal. I have done similar comparisons with my then ED80 Skywatcher and 150p Skywatcher and kept the 150p for a while. Had aperture fever and bought an OOUK 250mm f5 on Dobson Mount. I now own a 150mm f5 OOUK Newtonian, the 250mm f5 OOUK and a very fine Vixen ED103s Refractor. After a lot of thought I put the 250mm up for sale, but I recently withdrew it as selling such a scope at present times is not essential supplies or trips. The other two had a fight to do and still are having that fight, but in all honesty I prefer no diffraction spikes, that annoy the heck out of me some nights. If one of the two had to go, it would be the 150mm, but it does not need to and will stay for nights when I desire more aperture, but that could be taken up by a 150mm Refractor perhaps, but not at present as funds directed elsewhere for a couple of years more yet.

Hi Mark, hope you are OK. I have used 2 differing 80mm Achro's for WL Solar and they were ok, even the f9 one. Purchased the 103ED Vixen and quite different and more detailed view with all the kit the same shown. It astonished me at the marked change in quality.

I should add that my avatar picture is on the Zeus’s stand at the Photography show 2019, looking at a space used Hasselblad and Zeiss lens from Apollo mission 8 if memory is correct.

A very interesting image indeed, it amazes me what shows in images that you don’t see visually.

Funnily enough I have the larger sized copy of that same book, wonderful stuff. It provides a pleasurable look through every so often. The Moon is very special to me, it was my starting point looking up as a child with my now long gone Dad, fond memories of some great Dad time.

Great post Stu, If I was not already sold on WL Solar, then I would be wanting to try now. All I can add to those reading this thread, who have not tried, get the basic kit or borrow it and have a try. I find WL most engaging and it gets me sketching each time, so hones my observing skills. The best bit you go out in the daylight and warmth, what’s to no like about that.

Some progress and a slight problem too, part of the fun. The corner housing has a plan, I have some wood to build the frame and roof, but not enough to finish. Clearly the materials can wait and are certainly not essential supplies in anyone's books. Play has been stopped due to lack of long enough screws, but internet order with Toolstation placed, so sometime next week. Uprights cut, will hold the doors and be side frame. Top support for roof on fence line cut. Tomorrow cut the front of door frame and roof brace. A couple of sunny hours late this afternoon after work as I needed to seriously destress as I have spent the week trying to get PPE for those who truly need it at the Local Authority I work for, and it's not a good place to be if you need PPE. Anyway, back to Astronomy and my project. Actual work again started 👍 No longer just dreaming or thinking of a plan 😀 And a slightly closer look, quite pleased as I have a deserved reputation as a 'Wood Butcher', If you are still with us Mr Ballance (my Woodwork Teacher) then you were quite correct in your assessment.

Yeah, magic old film, amazing how things have moved on. Any Hasselblad is special in my view. Always wanted one, never could afford one. I do have my Dad's Rolleiflex TLR that is something special too, more so because it was his and he loved it too. And back to the book, to think NASA didn't see how cameras were of value but the Astronauts did. Good on John Glenn for pushing to get that Minolta into space.

Having had some spare time like so many of us all in the evenings. I have pulled down a to read book from the shelf, one of a number. Hasselblad & The Moon Landings. Listed price in UK £9.99. A good number of images from Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions and training. Interesting text about history of cameras in the early US space exploits and the quick dependence upon the Hasselblad brand to do what it says on the tin. The first camera was not however a Hasselblad but a Minolta 35mm with John Glenn. A very enjoyable, if short book at 91 pages long. Other than the cover scan, I will share no more as it will spoil a fine but short read for you if you were to pick up a copy. I give this a solid YES for Lunar and Space Faring interest, as a photographer it ticks other boxes too.

Fine so far, following Lockdown rules, but as a family of Essential Workers can only do when at home.

It's today isn't it. Same tomorrow when that becomes Today. What is to be confused over 🤣 I will at 15.30 go set up and sneak a look, work done then, just sneaking another peak with a Tea break.

Hi Brian, better than I could do on a non Moonlit night, don't beat yourself up over it. I enjoyed the image you have created.

Thanks for the review, you have set a lot of us spending. Just ordered direct from Springer. Theres goes some of the mount fund!

Who needs PlusGas at present. With our recently inventive and wildly mixed diet, what more to say 🌪️

Nice, very nice. 👍 A trend of astro book spending is developing here. I really like the look of these, please let us all know your thoughts once you sit a look through. So nice I just ordered the set, there goes some of the new mount fund again!

Welcome back from the 3 year Hiatus, I keep looking at folks views on the Morpheus and they are as far as I recall all positive. As you say amazing value too.

Mark its location rapidly with red paint as I have done to certify the location.

I bet they do already, who sits in the garden at night? 🤪😂😂 us lot.

Jeremy, that is not leg waxing!

Looks great gents, I love these wooden bits of kit. I did have a Uni28 but it went to the altar to help fund my Vixen ED103 and glad it did for such a fine scope. So here is the picture of my Berlebach Kit: Oh, I have none, but I did want to join in though 😆

Very nice Jeremy, I would love such a set and one day probably will, Have the Nagler zoom at present, so one part exists in my collection already. Did I say, very nice Jeremy, oh yes I did, but worth saying twice.

RIP indeed. As you say 100 was a pretty good inning indeed.

Please feel free to chime in on my public musings: So work now done so went into garden for some Sun Tonic, and more thoughts on the plan. Got a bit carried away and now more red paint on the concrete, but it is straight to fences this time. So marked for a 600mm x 600mm hole, think if i can 600mm deep. That should be a good footing. The straight line is where I will run a 50mm PVC Drain pipe with slow bend at each end for future cables, but for this plan a 12v power supply line to start with to the Pier. Is this big enough a duct or do I need bigger? A cupboard in the corner with 2 big angles shelves, roof at top (where else) and double doors opening each side onto existing fence. The strip of wood shows the angle intended, gives enough space for my plan and allows doors to be out of the way open. Also plenty of space left around the scope when in use at cupboard side. This will give me dry space for 12 Volt PSU and shelf or my EP Case at lower level and laptop or books above. Also allows me to have growth space for changes of use and kit, no plan on imaging as I observe, but as we know plans change. This is almost turning into an observatory. Ran through this with the 'Domestic Manager', who thinks it should look ok in the garden and work for me. I think the pier will not have a push away cover, just be covered once built. Is this a sensible layout for what I have, can anyone see any major pitfalls or goofs so far??