Sunshine

Anyone know what “FPL” stands for?

This is such a difficult question to answer as these telescopes could not possibly be further from each other in every aspect. Are you ready and willing to deal with the weight, mobility, storage, collimating, cooling etc that comes with a large dob? if so then the decision isn't any easier. On the other hand, you say you have a 102 which you are happy with already, I could sooner explain E=Mc2 than help you with this dilemma. 😲

As always, your images are inspiring!

This is one beautiful image!

Beautiful!

A wonderful image!

Love the wide field version you've captured!

32 minutes ago, John said:

It looks a very interesting and unusual mount. Universal Astronomics mounts are quite scarce here in the UK which is unfortunate because, from what I've read about them, they are very capable. There was one dealer over here who distributed them but they closed down a few years ago.

I had their smallest alt-az mount for a while - known as the Dwarfstar. That had quite a lot of capacity for it's tiny size and weighed practically nothing.

I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on the UA Doublestar Tandem

 

 

Yes it does, apparently this particular model there were only 40 made, a total 70lb capacity 40 on right and 30 on left is quite a lot. It also allows for precise alignment of scopes on both sides so they are both looking at same object at the eyepiece, interesting. 
 

can’t wait!

1 hour ago, Nakedgun said:

I had one of their smaller capacity mounts several years back, yours is considerably more robust.

Let us know your thoughts once you've had time under your belt with it.

Good to hear, I understand they’re good mounts, the image I posted is not my image but the sellers posted image, I am picking it up next weekend, did you like yours? I hear they’re built well.

Cheapest solution possible, heat packets, just slip one into boot toe nice and flat and carefully slip toes over them. You won’t be doing much walking on a session so no worries about how they feel when walking, they’ll keep your feet toasty for hours. There’s hand and toe versions and can be found in sets of a few unlike the full box pictured here. I’ve used the toe version, just stick on bottom of sock and be done, I’ve even had to remove feet from boot occasionally as they can be quite warm.

In the past year I have been contemplating an Alt-Az mount for use with my 102 on those night when I’m not imaging planets, I wasn’t sure which one as I have no experience with Alt-az mounts. Just today I pulled the trigger on one I saw in the classifieds (Universal Astronomics Doublestar Tandem) which seems to be a great mount and a bit rare. It attracted me due to its capacity as in the future I can just smell a TSA-120, with a 40lb on right and 30 on left for total 70lbs I think it will be an alt-az mount for life.

let me know your thoughts! 

2 hours ago, JeremyS said:

I paid the balance on my daughter’s wedding yesterday. I understand there is a Cheshire tradition that the Groom presents the Father of the Bride with a fluorite refractor.

This reminds me of my engagement, my wife is Italian and as is tradition (at least Italians in North America) for the bride to present to her fiancé a nice gift upon my giving her an engagement ring. At the time (1999) I worked in a scope shop and was a dedicated amateur so she called the scope shop without me knowing and spoke to the owner who then suggested a scope I would really like which she bought. When I came home one night there she was in my apartment with a Celestron 8" schmidt XLT (I say XLT but it said Starbright on the secondary) on an equatorial mount with a bow around it. 

On 01/12/2021 at 14:05, vlaiv said:

if you have two flies side by side

Get your swatter, quick! 😂

sorry, this is what I am able to contribute to this highly technical discussion.

Nice session you had, I think its great you only used the two eyepieces as I find myself fumbling eyepieces in the dark so much.

53 minutes ago, Astro Noodles said:

It's a despicable trick, but it was her idea. 😂

Whatever it takes for that next bit of kit!

3 minutes ago, Astro Noodles said:

I had better make sure that she doesn't stop at 1 leather jacket. I'll suggest she will need some nice shoes or boots to go with it, and maybe a new handbag.🤣

Oh you mean we all use the same tactic? I thought I was so shallow,  encouraging my wife to splurge on herself just so I could buy another telescope bit, this makes me feel better.

There's only room in my heart for one, and my heart is taken.

I hear APM/LZOS makes a fine 203mm triplet!

These are some great images! I really like the variations in colours which seem to demonstrate different feature characteristics, well done!

3 hours ago, JeremyS said:

But the real classic in my collection, in my opinion, is actually my newest: Tak FOA 60Q.

Your FOA 60Q sounds like a cracking little refractor, it must be a breeze to set up and use, I would love on for those quick peeks at the moon/planets.

Beautiful image!

Welcome to SGL! so you've been lurking, I thought sensed someone was watching me 🤣 have fun on this great forum!

I’m going to call my TSA-102 a classic, lol maybe a while for official classic title but if we’re free to label classics then why not? it just sounds nice.

Welcome to SGL! and a great image of M42!

That is a serious looking kit you have, I love how you have a large monitor right at hand.