Sunshine

I want to give this a shot tonight but, I’m limited by my eyepiece selection.

1 hour ago, badgerchap said:

Watch out JWST 🤣

By JWST timeline, you'll wear that scope to dust before we see an image from JWST.

with friends like that, who needs human interaction? curious, what is the box shaped object tied to the dew shield?.

Nice report, i am a doubles fan myself and, make notes on my findings, i have spent the last few weeks when weather permits trying to split Zeta Herc but, only succeeded in splitting my head. Lately i have acquired some powerful eyepieces that should assist in the matter. Seeing is everything.

Beautiful images, that is one big prom! I would love to know how tall it is in Km’s.

Sweet image of Mars! which reminds me, I need to watch Mars Attacks again.

OMG! I don't even know what to say.

Last night was a night of decent seeing, having set up my scope in the backyard, I was looking forward to a night of various object hunting. Little did I know, the only object I would dedicate almost the entire night to, was Saturn. Saturn was a sight to behold last night, beautifully contrasted, revealing a clear and, unmistakable equatorial belt. Cassini’s division was laser cut sharp, subtle tones in its clouds were visible, given the chance for the eye to adapt. One quick glance at a planet would be a mistake, it’s surprising what I could pick up given enough time at the eyepiece.

This night I was also using my new (to me) Pentax XW 5mm, I jumped on this eyepiece because I figured it would be great for those nights when seeing would not permit me to use my 3.5mm for planets. The 5mm proved to be every bit as good as I expected but, Saturn laughed it off this night, the image begged for more power. In went the 3.5, after a while I wondered, even at 230x, using my 115mm APO, Saturn still had more to give. My 3.5 is the highest power eyepiece I have, short of using it with my 2.5x Powermate (which is way too much power) I was at a loss, I needed a bit more, just a measly 50x. Amateur astronomers sometimes do crazy things in our quest for celestial satisfaction, in went the 5mm with the powermate.A quick calculation on my phone, I realized it would be 402X!!, insanity, 90x per inch of aperture, I gave up hope before looking into the eyepiece. Putting my phone away, glancing into the eyepiece, I was stunned to see I could bring Saturn to a fine focus, detail still visible in its clouds, Cassini’s division still sharp, not as sharp but, no less beautiful indeed. 
 

Considering the spectacle Saturn put on last night, I have to wonder if maybe my 3.5 won’t necessarily be that eyepiece only used once in a while when the sky permits. Maybe, I should be considering a 2.5 if such an animal exists. There’s no way I would consider an eyepiece yielding 90x per inch but, maybe a bit more than the 230x my 3.5 yields may not be as crazy as I thought it would be just a few days ago. Regardless, I am well aware that pushing power is at the mercy of the sky but, last night I was given a glimpse of what my scope/eyepiece are capable of when the sky gods are generous. Just as Saturn was about to wave goodbye and, dip below a neighboring house, I hurried for my camera and laptop for a quick shot.

A big welcome into a big family here at SGL!

21 minutes ago, markse68 said:

It’s a shame they’re so expensive but you realise why when you hold one in your hand and more so looking through them. Decent camera lenses aren’t cheap either. I never would have thought i’d buy such an exiensive eyepiece when I started a year+ ago but I convinced myself (rather too easily 😬🤦‍♂️) that if i looked after them it was a lifetime investment in something I love, so why not!

Could not have been said better!.

4 hours ago, LeeHore7 said:

This little peach was delivered today, happy times, just need the clouds to do one as I didn't order clouds with it 😉😁 , it will compliment my explorer 150p nicely on my eq3-2 mount 

That sweet little 127 Mak will make short work of planets and the moon, enjoy that!.

14 hours ago, HollyHound said:

They really are very nice thought, aren't they

Very much so! I was in the same position you are in now, if one finds an eyepiece they really enjoy, the next will almost guaranteed be of the same line. Have fun figuring out which one you want next! There’s a reason Pentax eyepieces have the reputation they have.

When enlarged twice the size of my screen, i can really appreciate the resolution of this great capture.

The postman has been a joy to see these days! bringing me my third Pentax XW. This 5mm should be great for those nights when seeing may not permit using my 3.5mm. Pentax XW’s are a bit like potatoe chi....sorry, crisps, you can’t have just one!.

wow! that is quite a bit of detail, perfectly focussed, beautifully colour balanced, i need to get my planet images closer to this.

Wonderful image!

22 hours ago, Tenor Viol said:

If you read old astronomy books from the 50s and 60s, they used to quote 100x per inch of aperture for refractors, less for reflectors.

Oh don't i wish!

12 hours ago, astro_al said:

Tube arrived at the weekend so I was finally able to assemble an FS-60 from a focuser I already had and an objective and dewshield purchased from a nice chap on UKABS. Had an FS-60 about 8 years ago, nice to have one again. Pictured at the front with the rest of the gang 😁

 

I can only imagine where we’d be had Galileo been able to make one of these.

those are some great shots!

It will help if you listed your setup, scope, camera, settings etc. 

I have not used that particular model but, being a Mak with a long focal length, it will put up some great lunar/planetary views.

People who do not care about their place in our universe (covers basic knowledge of astronomy).

Sky Safari 6 plus is my goto since other SGL members pointed it out to me, love it, has everything one would want.

He’s so cute, like a little plush toy, R.I.P. ED.

Welcome to SGL!