FLO

Novelty ‘the quality of being new, original or unusual’ 🙂

You are opening a can of worms because a Newtonian mirrors glass type (think low expansion) together with its metallic and protective coating does have an affect. But I am guessing you already know that 😉 Steve

Not sure. It is definitely one or the other. If we release a binocular you will be the first to know 🙂

You, sir, are a bad man 😄 Steve

I don't know. Please email us your requirements so we can discuss it with John.

Yes. Though much depends on how busy John is doing his regular work.

Where are we now? The equipment is commissioned and the software is installed we are spending the next few weeks kicking the tyres of everything and tweaking a few bits and pieces ready to open this up more widely. Next step will be to open this up to the community and work on a target list for the coming months and to start sharing the data. A website is in the pipeline to act as a repository for all the data, peoples results and to keep posting updates on progress etc.. Watch this space

Since then Dave has been incredible, they setup a Windows 10 machine for us and Dave has installed all the software we will be using, configured everything ready to use, polar aligned and modelled the mount, calibrated PHD, calibrated the Lakeside focuser, setup Cartes Du Ciel, ASCOM, 10Micron Software and all the profiles etc.. in SGP. It really does feel like cheating and the knowledge the guys have is vast so within no time at all, we were given the login details for the machine. Dave then spent a couple of hours with Grant running through the startup / shutdown procedures and how to get photons rolling in. We've not received any special treatment, just the same level of service PixelSkies and IC Astronomy provide to all of their customers so hats off to you guys it has been a huge help to have your support in getting everything going.

Sorry this has taken longer than expected but we lost some progress over the Christmas and New Year period waiting for all of the gear to arrive over in Spain. If you've not seen this before, check out the introduction to this project and what equipment we are using here: So the kit arrived in Spain a few weeks ago now. Dave and Colin at PixelSkies (https://www.pixelskiesastro.com) got straight to work on setting it all before realising, we had missed a couple of bits... d'oh! We sent over the extra bits and took the opportunity to also install a Hitec Astro MHP v4 for our USB hub and power control. Colin and Dave have done an immense job of setting it all up and cabling it all:

@Helen Sounds interesting 🙂 That also sounds interesting 😊 Steve

Sounds like we're neighbours. Can I borrow some milk? 😁 Steve

@AndyThilo A number of people have mentioned your post to me but I don't think I know anything about it... 🤔 Let me check please, have I got this right? You bought an Esprit-80 from another retailer. It was faulty so the retailer exchanged it for another, which was also faulty. You then returned it and purchased a third Esprit-80, this time from us, and had it Es Reid tested. You weren't happy with that one so because you live near Es you have returned it to him for further testing. Is that correct? Steve

4.1 kg (includes tube-rings). I had meant to post weights/dimension and more photos today but forgot how busy the Monday after Astrofest is. Will try again tomorrow 🙂 Steve

We replied to Steve's email then noticed his discussion here at SGL so will reply here too. It might benefit others who experience the same problem. The focuser is CNC machined so its flange diameter and hole spacing is unlikely to be wrong. It is more likely the Evostar 80ED tube's inner diameter and/or hole spacing is a little different from the norm. Sometimes the focuser can be encouraged to fit, otherwise it is best to simply return it for refund. (That is what we have advised Steve to do in this instance). HTH, Steve

It was pinching caused by low temperature (a lower temperature than when Es tested it). When it comes to low temperature pinching it can be difficult sometimes to determine what is/isn't acceptable. I.e. should a telescope never pinch, regardless of temperature. Or is a 'little' pinching acceptable below freezing if a dew-heater tape solves it. I favour the former but I know other retailers routinely claim the latter. They might be right... Anyhow. Adam has received a replacement telescope and we haven't heard from him so are assuming all is good 🙂 Steve

They do. No sharp edges 🙂

Thank-you for your order 🙂

The f10 80mm ED has the black-anodised rings shown in the photo and a red-anodised handle. Colour choice is of course subjective. We felt the long f-ratio OTA looked better with rings the same colour as the tube. If we later find people prefer red then we will certainly consider changing the colour when we next order. Steve

A replacement telescope was dispatched to Adam some time ago. We are assuming no news is good news... 🙂 Steve

Yes. Definitely. It is supplied with a red-anodised handle 🙂 I will make some more photos of the telescope with handle fitted Mon/Tue. Steve

I think you are asking about the f10 80mm ED. We approached LongPerng around a year ago with a list of requirements. We couldn’t find what we wanted in their existing portfolio so asked them if they had something in the pipeline that would meet our needs. They said they did. There were some communications, we received some samples for testing, some more communications, then we placed an order. When the telescope’s arrived we delivered them to Es for testing. And here we are. HTH, Steve 🙂

Not yet but that will soon change. Not least because the StellaMira 104mm ED2 Triplet f/6.25 APO is the telescope chosen for our IKI Observatory at the Pixel Skies facility in Castilléjar, Spain. Steve

Well spotted. The handle is essentially a ’Tactical Rail’ which is normally mounted atop rifles and is designed to accept rifle scopes, red dot scopes and boresighters (Long Perng manufacture those too). HTH, Steve

Let's see if I remember this correctly... From the Latin Stella does mean 'Star' or star shaped. If you squint a little it is close to Stellar, meaning outstanding or wonderful. Mira in Latin does mean 'wonderful' and in astronomy it is the first long-period pulsating variable star to be discovered and a red giant and component of a binary star in the constellation Cetus (I looked that part up!). Both are girl names. It just feels right 🙂 I think Grant thought of it. We were batting various names around for ages! We have big plans for StellaMira... Steve

For the visual astronomer we also have a couple of 90-degree Star Diagonals with dielectric mirrors and 99% reflectivity. You have probably seen them before wearing other brand logos. StellaMira 1.25" 90º Di-Electric Diagonal StellaMira 2" 90º Di-Electric Diagonal