Sunshine

Really emphasizes the difference in magnitude, nice work.

That is so good to hear, i always like hearing stories of others getting the scopes they wanted, i am sure you're itching to get out again, i would love to hear about your first visual session.

Yes that one is good, i recall posting a link to it last year, a brain blender.

Here's a question for you who are savvy in orbital mechanics and such. Is it possible for two planets to form at the same distance from their parent star and, on the same plane,

so that they end up in roughly the same orbit but, at different points in said orbit?, eventually colliding i presume.

2 minutes ago, Pete Presland said:

Cant add much to the discussion about whether it uses its full aperture or not.

I really enjoyed using my MAK180 for several years, my best ever Mars image was captured with it.  Mine did suffer with some annoying mirror slop though.

I did get a dew shield eventually 😀  it was a very capable scope on the planets.

 

Do you keep it stored in the deep freezer? lol

WOW is that ever a beautiful sketch! 

Hello Barry and welcome to SGL! we all love to hear about newcomers to the hobby, wow what an experience it was seeing Jupiter for the first time eh!. 

Thanks for joining and, we'd love to hear about your future adventures behind the eyepiece!.

I just snuck out for a look at big B, I have been reading about how much it has dimmed but, tonight was the first time I have been able to see it. 

WOW is it ever fainting, I wasn't sure what to expect, as I walked out my door I could see what I was sure was Orion's shoulders looming over 

the rooftop but, I had to walk further out to confirm I was seeing Orion. Betelgeuse looked so underwhelming compared to what I am used to seeing,

it looks about the same as Bellatrix, this fainting has been going on for weeks, we will see what happens in the coming weeks, awfully exciting really.

WHOA! those are high res alright, i clicked on the half moon image and it opened so large it must have been 2x3ft if my screen could display it all. Had a great time wandering the lunar surface,

amazing images!

 I should really consider a bino viewer for my Mak, i have a feeling it would be a whole other level of lunar awesomness, unfortunately, it will probably create a nice hole in my wallet.

10 minutes ago, vlaiv said:

Well, I'm in favor of theory working, but view was so nice and sharp that I started questioning it

I'm not following, sorry, does this mean you were seeing something that led you to believe the scope was performing better than it actually was?

Beautiful image, wonderful detail, contrast is great, i would frame it, if it were mine.

All i can add to this technical conversation is, Mak's kick butt no? when seeing is good of course.

Sweet bit of kit there, is that a giant ERF filter? if so, that must have created a small black hole in your wallet lol, beautiful images as usual, i wonder when the sun will stir up again.

I think we all find/have found ourselves selling many things over the years, its just the nature of this and, many other hobbies. When i purchase something new i consider that i may be selling it down the road. Knowing that, i prepare myself for taking a hit on the original price, many items in our hobby hold their value well (quality eyepieces) are one example. When i buy used, i consider the value of said object and, adjust my expectation on price accordingly. If i am buying a used TeleVue eyepiece, i pretty much am prepared to pay close to what it is worth new because frankly it is justified. By the same note, selling an accessory tray for 80 percent what it is worth would be a difficult sell. My point being, we all pretty much know what we will pay for a particular thing, it varies greatly from object to object. It all comes down to how much the seller needs to get rid of it and, how much the buyer wants it.

That is unreal, lucky you! must be an amazing sight in person.

Steer clear of the skymax if you’re planning on imaging. They’re great visual scopes and, can produce great planetary images, but, I’d stop there for imaging. The 80 will be the better imaging scope hands down.

Awesome image!

Wonderful image, so sharp and uniforn as mentioned above.

Fantastic image! love the post work.

Very nice capture, great guiding.

Welcome to SGL!

Beautiful, nice contrast.

Thats one helluva collection!

I have spent much time imagining how incredible it would be to witness Betelgeuse finally blow up. Imagine it happened as you were out observing, i would certainly fall on my rear with excitement.

I would be that guy who creates a huge ruckus and, wakes the entire neighbourhood from my backyard,  i cant wait, please let it happen in my lifetime. How lucky we would all be.