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astronymonkey

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Everything posted by astronymonkey

  1. For me the biggest issues with many dobs is the particle board they are made from and the damage that can be done from damp grass. Most sheds will do a good job of protecting them from the elements but when you put it outside try to raise it off the ground and give the mount a wipe down when you bring it back in. I have no idea why mass manufacturers make the bases from chipboard these days. As for a cover, I make sure the end caps are on with a shower hat covering the bottom, and drape a dust sheet over the tube. Cheers
  2. Spiles image is a good stt up but note a few sensible precautions in the photo. The filter it attached inside to tube and I expect would be difficult to accidentally knock off. Secondly, note how the finder is covered, this prevents a disaster with a burnt forehead or accidentally looking in the finder by mistake. Align the scope using the shadow of the tube. Good call for asking on here O2B3 about how to do this so you can get the right advice on how to do it safely and let others learn from the thread 👍. Thanks
  3. Something like this is the sort of thing you are after https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15910258/streetwize-12v-hair-15910258 What sort of scope are you planning on using it on as there may be other options that will work that might be better ? cheers
  4. It's difficult when you first start out know what to expect from your kit and being able to optimise what you have before you spend any more money. It's good that you have checked the collimation but first I would have a go at low power with the moon and if you get the focus right for a sharp image there then next try Jupiter. It's not going to be huge but it will give you an idea of where the focus point is for the scope. Do that a few times with the eyepieces you have and you will realise which one seems to give the best balance of magnification versus sharp focus. Let the telescope steady itself first though and look into the eyepiece without touching it. For me the biggest improvement with a small scope is to get to a dark site at sunset, set things up with the caps on to stop dew , and let it cool for an hour. That way there is less heat shimmer (which would be magnified) and at a dark site the sky is blacker, the stars show more contrast against that black sky, and those objects that struggle in town against a lighter background can stand out more. In addition to this your eyes can truly adapt to the darkness rather than have that ruined by street lights or next doors security light. These things don't cost any money , apart from some fuel for the car, and will help you understand what the scope can do. The eyepiece you think works best might be the one to upgrade first as you know that seems to give the best balance of magnification and field of view. Cheers
  5. Pop into a bed shop and get a mattress bag. They have them off their display mattresses or you can get new ones if you get rid of an old mattress. I've got a 16inch dob and a double mattress bag fits well with a bungee tied around the middle and at the base. For a smaller scope a single size would be enough. They are thick, completely waterproof and cheap. The only issue I've had is they aren't breathable so if you cover the scope when you've got loads of dew on it then you need to remember air it off the next day but is suppose that the same for any cover 🤔 Cheers
  6. Hats off to you for a truely fabulous piece of work, from grinding the mirror to the fantastic woodwork you have done. Im tempted to have a go myself as this has been an inspirational thread but I know I dont have the patience,, especially with the grind, which makes me even more impressed with what youve achieved. I was wondering what the final numbers looked like with regard to man hours spent, the strehl ratio of the mirror and the final weight of the various sections ? Well done fella.....
  7. It never ceases to amaze me as to how versatile a router can be, and what a nice finish you can get with one. Keep up with the good work and thanks for sharing the details of the equipment you are using. I have a decent table saw but I must get to swapping the blade as its cutting a bit rough these days. cheers
  8. Excellent work Damien , and that looks like very good plywood that you are using. Did you have many problems with edge splinters as cutting such shallow mitres along an edge on ply can be a pain ? I wondered where you got the ply from as well and what you asked for? Cheers
  9. Hi Lee, I love the carbon wrap it really makes the scope look loads more stylish. Can you post a link to the ebay supplier you used. Cheers
  10. Wow, A true story of tenacity winning out in the end and that is a fabulous result. I cant wait to see the finished scope. I was just wondering what strehl ratio you managed in the end, and what was the beginning and end weight as you must have removed a load of glass over the months to get to f3.4. That also sounds like a "Feet on the ground" focal length for a 22inch mirror if you get the base design sorted so no need for a step ladder. Great stuff....
  11. Nice one FD Totality wont start til much later though and its unlikely that you will notice much difference until 2.07am when the moon begins to enter the umbra but the penumbra stage starts just after 1am. It is looking nice and clear though so ill be doing a bit of observing from the garden. Enjoy the trip out though and stay safe. Cheers
  12. I have a feeling it will be clear so should be a good one. As for the umbra its always been quite obvious even with the i.c.i looming in the background ..... as in october 1985 when the full moon rose over teesside, already in full eclipse, in a crystal clear sky. A sight which got me hooked on astronomy as a kid ! I have a feeling that the carpark at the talpole pub at the tees barrage would be good as its elevated and has a decent south west view. Cheers
  13. To be honest you wont need a dark sky for the eclipse so a trip as far as Osmotherley might not be needed. As long as you have a decent south west view then it should be ok so maybe the far side of ingleby would give a decent view anyway. Cheers
  14. Hi damian, Its looking good and I admire your patience so im sure it will finish up fine. As others have said just take your time but I was wondering how many hours have you spent on the mirror so far ? Cheers
  15. With the industry on teesside light pollution is always an issue but as stockton council is repalcing all street lights with LED ones hopefully the sky glow will improve over the next year as this progresses. As far as sites for observing I find into teesdale towards barnard castle is good, and also to the south of the moors. Dalby forest is an excellent site and the Scarborough and rydale astro soc hold an annual star camp there which is open to anyone. The CaDAS meeting at wynyard is also good value as its only £12 for a years membership so worth joining as there are 10 meetings per year. Cheers
  16. Garage .... sounds better than the greenhouse you had in one of your older blog entries, at least it will keep a more constant temp. :) Cheers
  17. Well Rich, I would say that identifying a problem and then choosing the best solution is a successful outcome, rather than a failure. Excellent work on getting the mirror this far and as you say its better to get john to sort it now before it gets too thin. As far as as not doing everything yourself, dont worry as unless you were going to aluminise the mirror yourself there was always going to be a point when you handed the mirror over to have it finished. Its a big bit of glass you have there, so when you get a queue forming at the first star party you take the finished scope to then it will all be worth while. Cheers
  18. Hi Crash, Looking really good, despite the scratches it must be much easier with a wooden base rather than the plaster one. Keep going, not far to go now ! cheers
  19. Hi rich, that mirror is coming along nicely so keep at it. A 22 for your first grind seemed crazy when you first took it in but ive got to say your doing a grand job. Having moved to the south coast though youre a long way from John Nichol if you need a hand but Im sure you'll manage. Nice bike by the way, ive heard good things about boardman bikes but I agree with having the car to fall back on. But being in the south coast youre gonna miss the tour de france in yorkshire which is a shame as it looks like its gonna be a good weekend . Keep grindin mate, but be careful of leaving skid marks ;) Cheers
  20. From what I gather the main changes from the old to the new ones are: Better secondary mirror cell which encases the mirror better and means it is held in the holder rather than being stuck to the stalk with silicone Truss poles and the rings on the end of the tubes are painted black to reduce reflections. The top ends of the truss poles have a small bracket to hold the top tube in place before its boltedminto position I also think at some time in the past they have upgraded the focusser to a dual speed one. collimation bolts on the primary have been improved and I think the springs are better. in general they are good scopes but like everything they benefit from some tweaks but thats part of the enjoyment. Id disagree though about astronomy being a hobby for the rich. Many years ago a 10inch scope would be considered huge and a 12inch scope was something inly a club would have. To say these scopes are now even in reach of amateurs is extraordinary and a good 12inch scope can be bought secondhand for approx £400 which is a lot of scope for your money. You will love the lightbridge , its good on planets even with the supplied eyepieces and you can upgrade these as you go. Thanks
  21. I use a new style lightbridge and with a few mods they are excellent scopes. I know the current ones are badged as new versions but im sure they changed them about 18-24 months ago. I added a raci finder which I would say is essential and used side by side with the red dot makes finding things easier cheers
  22. I read the s@n article but felt pretty underwhelmed by the second installment. I have vista as an operating system and it turns out the software isnt compatible with that system so im glad I never made the aeriel between editions. your system looks good though so it will be good to see how it goes, cheers
  23. Hi rich, this is sounding good and is coming along nicely. How many hours do you think you have left until your ready for silver ?
  24. Hi tich, ive got to say I was impressed with yours at sgl9. Also served as a great beer tent on the sunday night Cheers ian
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