Nyctimene

I'd suggest, if you get a free view of the southern horizon, to visit the splendid objects of the Milky Way- M8, the Lagoon nebula, M20, the Trifid; M 17 (Omega-or Swan Nebula), M24; M 16; the glorious globular cluster M 22 and, to the north, M 11, the Wild Duck cluster and many more smaller objects.For some of them, a UHC or O III filter will give the best views.

Good luck with hunting them down!

Stephan

My first "encounter" with the crater-like structure Lamont March 8th, 2018, was so unimpressive, that I entitled my then post on here with "Lamont or How Not To Be Seen". Yesterday  evening, the app LunarMap HD showed, that Lamont was very close to the terminator. At 3.00 CEST, I took out the 18" f/4.5 Obsession, and was very surprised, when, despite poor seeing (max. magnification 128x), Lamont gave a totally different view. A clear, oblong, crater-like shape, well detached from it's surroundings, the floor a bit uneven. Two overlapping lava terraces were extending from it to the north; a third and more prominent one to the south almost to the crater Sabine. The nearby crater Arago was flanked by two  conspicuous lunar domes W and N (Arago Alpha and Beta, following Rükl, chart 35), forming with them both an almost equilateral triangle. The nearby Rima (rille) Sosigenes could be made out several times in moments of better seeing, extending from Sosigenes A to Ariadaeus E, and almost at right angles with the more conspicuous Rima Ariadaeus. An interesting area with a lot of different geologic formations. So, if you want to spot No 53 of the Lunar 100 and get a satisfying view, wait, until it is almost under the terminator!

Thanks for reading

Stephan

Hello, Zaida, and welcome to this friendly forum!

I've just looked up some ebay offers for data of the 12x50; as it seems, they have a true field of view of 5°; the coatings are blue (indicating a single layer coating, as usual in the 1960-1980 era; quite sufficient for many purposes); and the eyecups seem to be rigid plastic - just to answer some of Ben's questions. Are they apparently in good shape? Can you test them, or can you get at least a reliable return policy? They will need a tripod or monopod, as stated above.

I own quite a few vintage Japanese binoculars, and many of them offer a really good optical and build quality.

Some photographs posted here would be quite helpful.

Stephan

Btw, there is another Malaysian stargazer on this forum,  ZiHao.

Was out, once more unprepared, with the 13.1" Coulter Odyssey this night from 02.15 - 03.45 CEST. Average conditions with NELM 5.6 mag. After a warming up with the NAN (washed out without filter) and the globular M 2 (well resolved at 150x mag), I spotted in the PSA two adjacent galaxies near the S border of Pegasus, NGC 7619 and 7626. The SkySafari info showed them as the brightest members of the Pegasus 1 galaxy group, at a distance of 250 million light years. Starting from the Pisces "circlet", I found the region after 10 min of star hopping. Both galaxies were quite prominent (11.1mag), and at magnifications of 130x-180x (Seben Zoom) round, with a brighter core region. 7631(13.1mag), in contrast, was visible only indirectly as a E-W spindle 3:1. 7623 was similar. 7611, NW of a 7mag star, showed with direct vision as a NW-SE spindle. For some glimpses, I had the impression of the very faint, diffuse IC 5309 (13.5 mag). 7612 (12.7 mag)was directly visible, 2:1 elongated. Somewhat tired,I missed some other members of the group, as the IsDSA showed me later. I ended the session with a look at the glorious open cluster 7789 in Cassiopeia, "Caroline's Rose", my favourite open cluster, that showed circular "petals" and dark lanes quite spectacular. - One very bright (-4mag) Perseid. - The cluster seems to be rewarding; and I'll return to it, better prepared, with the 18" during the autumn months.

Attached a picture from the net (Jerry Lodriguss)

Thanks for reading

Stephan

Celestron Hummingbird 9-27x 56 ED. Tripod adapter; 11/4" eyepieces can be used; seems to be a good allrounder. (No own experiences)

Stephan

With my 5.1" Skywatcher Heritage 130 P Flextube (f/5, like yours), I'm using the shorty Baader 2.25x Turret Barlow, and it works very well with the Seben Zoom 8-24, the ES 26mmf/62° LER, a 6mmf Skywatcher UWA, and several orthos. Moderate price, excellent optical quality, lightweight; very recommendable; have a look here:

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p5503_Baader-1-25--Q-Turret-Barlow-und-Foto-Konverter---2-25x-und-1-3x.html

Stephan

On 26/06/2019 at 18:40, cuivenion said:

spend half your budget on Astro, half on Jewelry

Seems a fair equation within a good partnership; so enjoy your better half with some nice jewelry - you never know, how long you can do that for a loved one.

I'd familiarize her with the concept of assembling an astronomical "life-long equipment" as an equivalent to her long-lasting pleasure with gold and jewels. I've found, that most stargazers are using (or wishing) a "core equipment" of about three optical devices (visual only): a decent binocular (8x40 or 10x50), a smaller grab-and-go/travel set within the 3" to 5" range - a frac, small Newtonian or catadioptric; and finally the "big gun", e.g. a Dob of the 8" - 10" - 12" size. So you might save up some money, and, in full agreement with your wife, buy new, worthy, long lasting and carefully sought out equipment over the course of several years. IMO, a better way than to start rushing into some spontaneous purchases, that are regretted soon. Just my 2p.

Stephan

Had fun this night with the modded 76/300 Penguin and had, under sub-average NELM 5.0 skies, a nice haul of summer globulars - M 2, 3, 5, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 71, 92. All were visible at mag 30x as fuzzballs, without any resolution into single stars. Some by-catch, as M 27 (bright, distinct apple-core shape), IC 4665, M 11, M 81/82, 7789, 457. With the Rigel, an easy find now, and swapping eyepieces is way more intuitively and "natural" (despite the threaded eyepieces, that work as a focuser substitute). Both eyepieces were even usable with eyeglasses. An unusual combo, with the finder being more expensive than the scope (+ additional eyepiece), but a rewarding modification. Btw., the 15x eyepiece is a must  (still available from here (of course, no affiliation etc.): www.astroshop.eu/eyepieces/skywatcher-15x-eyepiece-for-the-infinity-telescope/p,4981)

Stephan

No, not M 57. When I had set up the 13.1" Coulter Odyssey and was warmed up with Albireo and M 56, the Interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas pointed me to the nearby planetary nebula NGC 6765, with 13.1mag not easy under 5.6 NELM skies and in astronomical dawn. The 26 mmf ES LER didn't show it; switching to the Seben zoom and increasing the magnification revealed slowly a slightly uneven disc, almost Jupiter-sized, almost round, with a faint star adjacent N. With 250x mag and a UHC filter, the planetary was directly visible, and I glimpsed several times a brighter nucleus-like structure. No colour visible. Researching later in the Interstellarum Deep Sky Guide, U. Glahn's drawing (27" scope!) showed a very interesting object with a complicated bipolar structure - worth another try with the 18" under better conditions. Next was Minkowski 1.64 (PK 064+15.1), 12.9 mag, 2° N of Beta Lyrae (Sheliak), a smaller, round disc, evenly bright; no structure or central star visible (has been reported with 13" at 220x (SAC database)). The faint galaxies 6688 (13.9 mag) and 6692 (14.2) were elusive in the brightening sky, so I finished after 1.5 hours at 02.45 CEST with the clusters 7789 (Caroline's Rose) and 457 (Owl cluster). It's astonishing, what this old scope still shows - with the  primary mirror's original  coating of 1987 (still in good condition; always stored cool and dry; never dewed up). Another midsummer night well used; warm;  the blooming lime tree's scent and fireflies as a bonus.

Thanks for reading

Stephan

Congrats, Gerry, to your marvellous new scope, the woodwork looks excellent, as well as the optical data.

Where do you store your scopes? fully assembled and at ambient temperature, I assume (so do I).

Beautiful location, btw. Wishing you many clear, moonless nights with this great performer!

Stephan

On 23/06/2019 at 10:53, Paz said:

I was wondering though, what is the function of the black box in between the focuser and the finder scope?

Well spotted, Piero

It's an ancient DIY precursor of today's RDF's, that I built in 1987 (pre-Rigel times; and I didn't like the Telrad). Following a suggestion in the Sky&Telescope ATM section, I made this 90°-angled RACI zero magnification finder:

The following picture shows the interior: to the left, a 20 mm pentaprisma, (you look "vertically down" on it); in front of it a microscopy cover glass as a "combining glass". A surplus singlet lens microscopy eyepiece (chrome-plated cylinder) acts as a collimator, that brings the red LED-illuminated crosshairs (fixed at the plywood part to the right) into the view. Switch and dimming potentiometer at the right side. It's nice and relaxing, to point the scope roughly in the target's direction, and, without any neck contortions, to look "vertically" down and find the object in the finder's approximately 25° field of view; and then just to turn the head slightly to view it in the eyepiece.

Atm., it's been replaced by a Rigel. But I intend, to fix it's minor drawbacks (somewhat prone to dew; adjustment of the combining glass difficult; little brightness range of the LED), and to put it again to use. I've never found a 90° angled non-magnifying RACI for sale (but would like to).

Stephan

In his famous book "The Sleepwalkers", Arthur Koestler describes (Part Four, Chapter II and III; about 35 pages) a lot of details around Kepler's "Mysterium Cosmographicum", embedded in it's various contexts; an interesting read (as is the whole book, very recommendable!)

Stephan

During the last two and a half years, I've posted several experiences and observations with the Skywatcher Infinity N 76/300, a cute little scope primarily for children, but, with it's parabolic primary, well suited for rich field observing at 15x magnification with a true field of view (TFoV) of 3°30'. I modded the "Blue Penguin" last autumn by adding a Rigel Quikfinder to cure it's biggest drawback - pointing at a target. Two days ago, I inspected the 30x mag erecting eyepiece, which, in contrast to the 15x eyepiece, can only be described as an "erectile dysfunction", with a very small TFoV of just 1°19', dim views, and the hassle not only of changing the view to a Right angle - Correct image display, but doubling at the same time the magnification. At 2.00 AM, the brain goes on strike with that. As I inspected the eyepiece's front (secondary site) end, I discovered, that the retaining plastic ring was threaded and could easily be removed. Out came first a (field?) lens, followed by a small cylindric "cage", containing two prisms and a small field stop. To remove the "erectile function" contents, the cement had to be broken and another retaining clip to be taken away. I reassembled the eyepiece without the two prisms and the field stop. The result was very pleasing - a now wider TFoV of 1°36', a brighter image (larger exit pupil - still to evaluate this!)) and an astronomical correct Newtonian view. Despite the full moon and clouds, I observed some familiar objects - the Moon itself, the Double Double; Mizar and Alcor; Saturn as a tiny ellipsoid and finally M 57 as a "defocused" star. Swapping eyepieces was much easier now. Under dark skies, I'm sure, the Penguin will show many nice targets with the now comfortable 30x mag. A nice, cheap and surprisingly capable RFT, ideal for holidays or as a grab-and-go.

Attached a picture:

Thanks for reading

Stephan

My 13.1" f/4.5 Coulter Odyssey 1 Dobsonian, bought in 1987 directly from Coulter, USA (prepaid, never tried - all went well), sat almost unused in the shed after the arrival of the Obsession 18" in 1999. Last night, I hauled out it's 28 kg  red cardboard OTA and the 24kg particle board Dobsonian mount - both rugged and almost indestructible, and gave it a try (with the question in mind, whether to sell the old companion or put it again to good use). Average NELM of 5.6 mag (still 1h astronomical darkness  from 01.00 to 02.00 CEST here at 49.36° N, according to SkySafari), and very good seeing, allowing mags of 400+. I started with M 51 and it's companion and was surprised - the spiral structure was faint, but clearly visible! So over to the fainter M 101, which showed  initially just the core region; careful inspection revealed slowly several H II regions in the galaxy's outer area, with 5471 the most prominent. Two small accompanying galaxies, 5473 and 5485, were visible  in the same field of view directly with brighter core regions. I went to Izar as an intermezzo, and could split it easily with a clear, wide gap at 422x (Seben zoom 8mmf+ 2,25x Baader barlow). The star test at Polaris showed nice, round diffraction images in-and outside of focus - I had been lucky with a really good Pyrex mirror 32 years ago. M5 and M 13 with 6207 gave stunning and contrasty views. So the decision was easy - I'll keep the scope and intend to upgrade it with a Rigel and decent RACI finder, as well as wheelbarrow handles for easy transport. This old scope has deserved to stay here and to enjoy the rural skies together with it's owner! Again, pleased and so to bed.

Attached two pictures:

Thanks for reading

Stephan

+1 one more for SkySafari. It allows you to display the scope's true field of view matched exactly to any scope/eyepiece combination. You can set the limiting magnitudes of the scope independently for stars and DSO's, and switch rapidly between your eyepiece's variant field sizes. Installed on my smartphone, it has replaced many of my star maps and atlases. There is also a "compass" function, that shows you the sky in the direction you are holding the smartphone(Android /iOS) and so will allow you to identify stars , planets and constellations.

Stephan

"21st Century Atlas of the Moon" by Charles A. Wood and Maurice J. S. Collins; West Virginia University Press 26506. Spiral bound, opens flat. Contains a wealth of information and excellent photographies, including e.g. the limb regions and all the Lunar 100 objects. Very recommendable!

Stephan

Well done, Neil , and congrats once more - I was absolutely sure that you would be successful! Very few people have seen, what you have observed last night, and I am sure, that you will return to the quasar more than once. For a while, I took PG 1634+706 and it's visibility with the 18" as an assessment of sky transparency; have to do this again.

Hoping to get out this evening for a hunt for galaxies beyond M 44; the brightest one with 14.6 mag; (Phil Harrington's "Cosmic Challenge" No. 157), but the sky is covering with high haze....

Stephan

Neil,

congrats to your almost successful attempt to observe PG 164+706 - I'm sure, that you will spot it from your dark sky location with SQM values of 21+ mag. German amateur Klaus Wenzel found it in1998 with his 12.5" with direct vision under (then) suburban/rural transition skies, and reports, that another amateur, Zellhuber, was able to make it out with an 8" under alpine conditions. The trapezium of four stars you've marked is similarly my star-hop approach with the 18"; the 13.04 and 14.03 mag stars form a "wimpy" right-angled triangle with the quasar. Perhaps you have to increase the magnification beyond 300x (given that the seeing is good). Give it another go, and let us know; good luck with the hunt!

Stephan

 Coordinates 49° N/ 9°E: SQM-L values of 21.2 (own measurement) and 21.35 (Light pollution map value), according to Bortle 4. (Never really got on with the Bortle scale - seems, IMO, to be  made for less humid climates).

Stephan

17 hours ago, BillyBoyBoy said:

My only concern is that with carry on specs of 22cm x 35cm x 56cm, my luck the airline will fuss about being slightly over, especially on a full plane, and the risk of having to check the case will always be there.  I've read some airlines are ok with adding up the dimensions to accept a total of 115cm or less, some are more strict to the individual dimensions

Replying to FAQ's, Hofheim Instruments suggest for their 12" traveldob, to go without the transport boxes in such cases. They recommend to take the primary, well protected in bubble wrap, into the hand luggage; and to store the mechanics, again without the transport box, in a well padded hard protective case. No measurements about the dimensions given; but you might contact them; very friendly and helpful people.

Stephan

Hofheim Instruments offer a set of shortened tubes for their 12" f/5 traveldob, for use with a Baader binoviewer (+ correctors 1.7x or 1.25x).  No bungee cords, but a additional counterweight needed; works down to 10° elevation. The price is in a similar range as the Sumerian Alkaid 12". Have a look (only German text available):

http://www.hofheiminstruments.com/bino-stangen-set.html

No own experience with the 12" (and of course, no affiliation etc.)

Hth.

Stephan

My first modern binocular (the Vixen Widefield  SG 2.1x42 doesn't count fully, IMO) arrived yesterday - a Fujinon 7x50 WP-CF marine glass:

Very solid build quality, easy to use with glasses, and giving excellent, bright and contrasty views in daylight and at night. Had a lot of fun with it, spotting the Pleiades, M 31, M33 (despite the bright moon close by), M  11, 13, 92, and cruising the Milky Way in Cygnus. Auriga clusters later on, as M 42 and 7789 (Caroline's Rose); finally the moon - tack sharp without colour fringes. I was impressed by the excellent reproduction of star colours. A very good acquisition for the special price of just 290€. With the central focusing, it seems to be a perfect allrounder binocular. Have to try this mounted. Hoping the buoyancy neck strap will serve me once when I should take up again sailing...;-)

Stephan

1 hour ago, Stu said:

That looks excellent Stephan, not cheap though I bet!

The paper version is sold for 80€ by oculum; not too expensive, IMO. The field version was produced only for supporters of the crowdfunding project - 517 persons; the price was 180€.

Stephan

Freshly released (Sept. 4th) and arrived today: the "Interstellarum Deep Sky Guide", a companion to the Interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas (the same size; at the moment, in German language only)

1729 two-colour composites (blue-red) from the POSS II/DSS, 821 drawings, matched with the pages of the IsDSA, as shown below:

Added are short descriptions, the localisation of the DSO's on the IsDSA (bottom-right corner); scale indicators (1 arc min) at the b.-r. corner of the POSS plates, recommendations of filters and magnifications. No data as magnitude, surface brightness, size etc.

The very detailed drawings were made by Uwe Glahn and Ronald Stoyan (the publisher), two German doyens of Deep Sky observers, at large and very large scopes:

I'm hoping for some clear nights during the new moon week to put the guide into good use. Later on I'll post a more detailed review.

Stephan

8 minutes ago, Knighty2112 said:

That’s an expensive bit of wood to sit on! 

Not at all; it's a very sophisticated product, developed by a group of avid stargazers, and it's build oozes quality (e.g. all fittings stainless steel)! A real joy to sit on, moreover for guests in outreach situations, or children. Good value for money.

Stephan