Mognet

I've not done a huge amount of research so far, but I've looked at a number These are still in the running for being both affordable and suitable weight/length for my mount: Samyang 135 F2 SkyWatcher Evolux 62ED https://www.firstlightoptics.com/evolux/sky-watcher-evolux-62ed-ota.html SkyWatcher Evolux 82ED https://www.firstlightoptics.com/evolux/sky-watcher-evolux-82ed-ota.html StellaMira 66mm ED f/6 https://www.firstlightoptics.com/stellamira-telescopes/stellamira-66mm-ed-f6-refractor-telescope.html StellaMira 80m ED f/6.25 https://www.firstlightoptics.com/stellamira-telescopes/stellamira-80mm-ed-f625-refractor-telescope.html Williams Optics Zenithstar 61 II APO https://www.firstlightoptics.com/william-optics/william-optics-zenithstar-61-ii-apo.html And a few that are too long or too heavy for the mount (SW AZ-EQ5, max 15kg but I'm not going over 10kg) SkyWatcher Evostar 120OTA https://www.firstlightoptics.com/evostar/skywatcher-evostar-120-ota.html SkyWatcher 130PDS https://www.firstlightoptics.com/reflectors/skywatcher-explorer-130p-ds-ota.html SkyWatcher 150PDS https://www.firstlightoptics.com/reflectors/skywatcher-explorer-150p-ds-ota.html A few I had to pass on due to price StellaMira 90mm ED Triplet f/6 https://www.firstlightoptics.com/stellamira-telescopes/stellamira-90mm-ed-triplet-f6-refractor-telescope.html There's probably others I should look at too, but I'm starting to wonder if it's worth it given how often the skies have been clear and dark enough to get out this year

I had a look at an image I spotted on the Samyung 135 thread here Looks like it's a real thing rather than a lens effect as it appears on that image too, albeit faintly. I suspect it's lost in processing with other images. No idea what it is though

I've been looking at the Samyang 135 F2 as an option as well. The prices look to be £400-£500 new, dependent on mount and seller, which puts it midway between the scopes I was looking at. From what I've seen in the Imaging with the Samyang 135mm f2 thread it does have the advantage of not needing a reducer, and I could use it with my existing Nikons or with a dedicated astro camera (depending on whether I need to modify it or I just need adaptors)

Thanks everyone. I'm now considering my options for something widefield in place of the mak127 while trying not to fall into the money pit that astrophotography can become!

That's what I'm now considering. Just been looking at FLO's website again and I'm wondering if their StellaMira 66mm ED would be more suitable https://www.firstlightoptics.com/stellamira-telescopes/stellamira-66mm-ed-f6-refractor-telescope.html

Thanks @bomberbaz and @catburglar The choice of a 2" 0.6 reducer was from using FLO's astronomy.tools website as it apparently brings the field of view inside that from a 25mm eyepiece, and there's only one 1.25" reducer on FLO's website which apparently doesn't suit maks I could be looking at this from the wrong direction, so I'll drop FLO an email to see what they say. It may be that I will also need to consider a faster scope at the same time

Thanks Steve. I already have a longer one that I've been using with my camera and a Nikon adaptor, but wasn't sure it would be suitable or even fit the thread. This one seems to be the better option with the reducer

I've been watching that thread with interest for a couple of weeks, and it's from there that I decided on the camera. Plus I got an unexpected Xmas bonus from work 😀

Thanks Carole. I'm not sure it's the best choice either. I'll learn what I can this way and while I decide on what I need next. I'm probably starting with clusters rather than nebulae as they'll need less processing

That's a great set of images

Hi all, I've been doing a little astrophotography with my old Nikon D3100, but I'm now planning getting a proper camera. Initially it will be used with my Mak127, and I'll get something with a wider field early next year. What I'm planning currently is the ZWO ASI585 camera https://www.firstlightoptics.com/zwo-cameras/zwo-asi-585mc-usb-3-camera.html WIth the Mak127 I probably need a reducer, I think this one https://www.firstlightoptics.com/reducersflatteners/stellamira-2-06x-reducer-field-flattener-with-m42-adapter.html Then the questionable bits. With the reducer I'll need an adaptor as the mak has a 1.25" back, would this one https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/astro-essentials-2-to-125-reducer-adapter.html be suitable, and would I need another adaptor/extension tube too, or do I need something different? I already have an AZ-EQ5 for the mount, and a Raspberry Pi400 with Astroberry for control, and hopefully this power supply should be able to drive all of them https://www.firstlightoptics.com/batteries-powerpacks/orion-dynamo-pro-155wh-acdcusb-lithium-power-supply.html

Caught two on the all sky camera

I haven't bothered getting my scopes in months because of it. It's either cloudy, too hazy to see much, or the full moon wipes everything out. The all sky camera has shown a couple of recent properly clear spells between 3am and 6am but not much at a convenient time

Found a different one recently that seems to be as good as SynScanInit2, but doesn't need a download from alternative sites. It's called Polar Clock https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.astrotools.polarclock

It prints for me using Cura. Maybe I should have used a finer quality setting. This is at 0.20mm with tree supports. Not sure I can print fine enough to get the fingers too

It slices in Cura, but it's also giving messages about model errors. I'll try printing soon to see if it works

Is this a common problem round your way, or were the cows I lived near in rural Suffolk equipped with night vision? 🤨🤣

I can see it now. It looks good too.

Hi Chris, I can't see the image without signing in to the modelling forum there

I'm sure my skies have got worse in the last couple of years, mostly since neighbouring towns started installing LED lighting. The view south now has a constant haze that hides all but the brightest stars below 30 degrees I'm going to have to start making regular trips to the local dark sky sites as doing anything from home is becoming difficult

That also includes the humans, as She Who Must Be Obeyed reminds me frequently!

The build up and let down of weather forecasts! Clear Outside promised a clear night tonight. I saw solid cloud come over at sunset and it's still not gone. CO has changed its mind since. Currently saying clear tomorrow night too, but I'll believe it when I see it It's not my only gripe, just one of a long list of things

I get similar here. It wasn't until the first lockdown that I noticed just how many planes flew overhead every day here. It seems that they're on the descent for Heathrow and pass over at around 10,000 feet. They stop landing there about 11pm, but now the Stansted planes are being routed across here at night. And then there's the higher altitude stuff too I'm starting to wonder if the vapour trails and ice crystals are having an effect on seeing too. The skies were way better than this only a few years ago

I'm waiting to see what you can produce with your new mount too, and what I can get with your old mount. The day I bought it had the clearest night I'd seen in weeks, and then nothing nothing clear enough since. It has given me time to check it works with Astroberry though, which is another step in my imaging plans

Did a count from my back garden last weekend with my girlfriend. She counted 13 and I could only see 7. Not sure how we managed to get that difference. Skies here are apparently a Bortle 5, with the south having the worst view from light pollution