Swoop1

Is a scope with a CGE dovetail (Celestron C9.25 SCT) safe to use on a mout with a Vixen style saddle (SW HEQ5 PRO)? Thanks, Matt

A couple of stacks from last night. Celestron C6 SCT on HEQ5PRO, ASI290MC. Both are best 40% of around 600- 650 frames as the mount started to drift so each run was abandoned. Stacked and sharpened in AS3! No other post processing. I was going to stitch them together but Microsoft ICE has been retired so, any ideas on a replacement I could use?

Why am i thinking of the Norman Greenbaum song Spirit in the sky?

Quick update- hairdryer did the job sufficiently enought that alignment was acheived (for now...)

5 x 30 second exposures through Sony a6300/ Tamron 70-300 zoom f5, 130mm, ISO3200. No flats or darks. Stacked in DSS, levels tweaked in GIMP.

Been out a couple of times to image it- neighbours tree needs trimming......

Parailum flares aren’t stationary- they decrease in altitude visibly. Could it have been something in geostationary orbit being overtaken by the terminator shadow?

When the roof is open, do the leaves lay supported flat? If so, a couplyof tarpaulin sheets thrown over them should help with the condensation. You could also consider re-engineering the roof so the leaves stay top up but slide down along guides like an extendable table? I agree with others re keeping the frame as is and re cladding.

I used a small plastic bucket as my measure when hand mixing. Easier to get consistent measures than a shovel full

I love the moon and, considering the trouble I have with deep sky AP am considering making it and the planets my primary focus. I am reading Volume one of Luna Cognita by Robert A Garfunkel at the moment (just finished day 5) and this is a very detailed resource, though I like the look of your book.

Once again, my back is twinging after flashbacks having seen your pier base hole. Very tidy excavation BTW👍

Jonny, I do not have an observatory myself but, to me a prime consideration would be ease of access through the door so don’t have it opening toward a narrow gap. Another thing to consider might be orienting the door in the lee of prevailing weather to reduce the risk of moisture creep. Finally, make sure the dome is uppermost😉

A quick heads up- Waterstones have this in their on line sale at 50% off. IRL shops will match the on line price if you ask them.

See this green pallor that I have developed? It is the result of too much Christmas Cheer. Nothing to do with envy. Honest 🤞

That was my first thought- I have a spare socket on the power box so will borrow Mrs. Swoop's spare dryer next time I go out.

I went to polar align my HEQ5Pro tonight but found that the inside of the polar scope was condensated and insufficiently clear so failed. The misting seems to be on one side of the reticle element. I really don’t want to remove the scope as previous experience of collimating a scope to a mount was very painful. Can anyone suggest a solution? Thanks. Matt

I use a dew shield with an integrated heater strap similar to this one- Lynx Astro Heated Flexible Dew Shield for 6" Telescopes | First Light Optics Works fine on my SCT.

This book is part of my wish list of things to spend my Christmas money on.

Nice bit of work there Michael! Would giving it a coat or two of Outback grade white exterior paint help to protect the plywood from harsh sun?

New rule- 5. Things only go wrong when you want to use them

Re the second pier height being insufficient, could you POUR a concrete base that is part above ground by the required height to raise it?

A stack of two single frames taken early evening on 7th December, both on Sony a6300/ Tamron 70-300 zoom set at 200mm. The first exposed for the moon- 1/4000th sec. f4.5, ISO800 The second exposed for Mars- 1/160sec, f4.5, ISO800 Layered in GIMP. No further processing. If only my view of the occultation was this clear!

I am constantly and pleasantly surprised by what is possible using a mobile phone camera. Nice image with good detail. I do notice a bit of a ghost edge on the limb to the right side of the image. Not sure what may be the cause? Did you hand hold or use a mobile phone mount on your scope?

Hi kc9pos. Welcome to SGL! The basic answer to your question is yes, it COULD be that simple but, as usual, there are a few caveats. How far from ground level to deck level? If not too much, a concrete pier pour would be feasible however, if beyond say 1.5 meters, this may require you to increase the diameter of the pier to reduce vibration. Make sure when reinstalling the floor that you leave a gap between the deck boards and the pier to prevent vibration transfer. If you were able to post some images of the site, that would help greatly in advising you what would work etc.

Set the alarm to allow me to get sorted to image the occultation. My captures are below- Can't see them? Blame the neighbours. They put their house in the way! I had to dismount the HEQ5PRO from my pier, shove it on a tripod further down the garden and polar align. y the time I had done that, the occultation had passed. To add insult to injury, the roof of the house intervened between me and the sight of Mars reappearing. To think I could still be tucked up in bed....