Sunshine

Why does that sound scary, a 12" SCT on an EQ6-R  considering the load capacity is MAX 44lbs and the 12" OTA without accessories comes in at 35lbs. Now 44lbs max capacity

is within this limit but one never wants to test these limits and if adding more counterweight (s) is needed then I'm not doing it, call me a chicken I guess.

This is great!

Of the million times I had seen the Pleiades it didn’t occur to me that the nebulously surrounding Merope had its own name 🤣

7 hours ago, wookie1965 said:

Well not the post man but I picked it up. Thanks to Andrew (Astro_Dad) great scope. 

Hey that looks familiar! 😀👍

5 hours ago, JeremyS said:

Tiny Tak part. Finderscope Illuminator 

Look at the knurling on that little twisty switch, a good thing considering a slip of the fingers could take out ones back 🤣

I haven't a clue but thanks for the heads up cause now I'm as curious as a kitten about this nebula.

1 hour ago, Mandy D said:

Researchers at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh have developed a device powered by a green laser, similar to laser pointers that sell for less than £5.

But it emits light at a billion pulses per second, helping create what’s known as a frequency comb.

Professor Derryck Reid, leader of the Ultrafast Optics group at Heriot-Watt University, said the laser has tremendous potential to allow astronomers to spot small, Earth-like planets orbiting distant stars.

According to the university, the laser reduces the cost, complexity and power consumption of typical ultrashort pulse lasers by about a factor of 10.

https://ukdaily.news/london/the-universitys-new-laser-system-could-help-astronomers-find-exoplanets-65841.html

Cool, I want one! and these would be used for what? I just need to tell everyone I have a billion pulse frequency comb laser.

3 hours ago, ONIKKINEN said:

Frost season is here already:

Long Perng towards Orion. Camera didnt pick up the stars though.

Whoa! looks like your scope was dipped in liquid nitrogen 😄

It is just beautiful!

Beautiful! I just love wide field DSO images.

I’m always by myself 😥

Pillars of creation, stunning!

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2022/nasa-s-webb-takes-star-filled-portrait-of-pillars-of-creation

Wonderful mosaic!

Wonderful! love how you've capture the moons on the last shot.

Loved it, when “fly me to the moon” kicked on it made me laugh, made my day.

Nothing wrong with that, i find that with planetary imaging every attempt is my first 😂

Welcome to SGL! can I apply adaptive optics to my 8” donsonian? It would be nice! 😂

8 hours ago, Barry-W-Fenner said:

300p & Morpheus collection out last weekend for some much overdue observing time.

 

Look at your chair, talk about observing in style!

1 hour ago, CraigT82 said:

Old blue tube SW 300p on and nice new AZEQ6. Can’t believe how well this thing tracks in AZ mode, look how tight the RoI is around Jupiter!

Hmmm....you're not fooling me, I know what look you're trying for. 😉

It’s a wonderful image, love the contrast against that background.

That’s a big big Jupiter you have there! my Jupiter is tiny, comparing. 
 

Wonderful capture!

Poor seeing, great pic!

20 minutes ago, IB20 said:

Just the most astonishing start to a transit of Io, probably one of the most amazing thing I have ever observed. I can’t stop thinking about it.

Amazing! great to hear you are charged up about it, it must have been awesome!

3 minutes ago, sorrimen said:

That’s probably the most beautiful set up I’ve ever seen!

Thank you my friend, wait till you have a look around the forum at some other bits of kit, your head will spin!

Jupiter was amazing last night even though there was a thin haze I dare say it may have helped dim the planet allowing fine detail to come through easier. Now that I have adjusted the friction on my alt az mount perfectly, following objects is as smooth as using slow motion control knobs.