barkis

Many  folks believe the Moon doesn't rotate as it keeps the same face with respect to the Earth. But we know that it does turn once In  it's 27 day orbit around  Earth.  Only  an observer outside the Earth  Moon system could then see the side of our satellite we can't  from here.   An observer on the Earth side of the Moon, would be able to see most of  Earth's surface quite quickly due to the Earth's Axial rotation and the Moon's orbital motion.  

A long winded summary, I just hope I haven't got this wrong. 🤔

Ron.

35 minutes ago, David Hardie said:

It's the shiny aluminium part which needs some off it. It would be great to use the lathe, it's been a while since I did some turning! It's actually what I did as an apprentice many years ago!! Do you have a clock to true it up? 😄

Off it's length, or it's diameter?  I have a DTI guage somewhere, but finding it might be a nightmare😁.   

I have a case with a multitude of adaptors, there may be something among that lot that would solve your problem for you. You can have a rummage through that, might hit the jackpot. Failing that, we'll hit the lathe.

If you decide to pop down to Carlisle, let me know when you want to come, so I can clear out my mountain bike, and lots of golf stuff cluttering my little workshop 😀.

Is it the black part you need machined down.  I could do that for you, I have a lathe at home, or you can do it yourself if you wish. 

When you mentioned a spacer, I thought you meant a thin ring of metal requiring only a small amount of material. . Ron.

Ah!, You'd be at for a week taking 7mil. off. I thought perhaps it was tiny critical amounts you needed to shift.  I'm sure there are a couple of light engineering outfits in West Cumbria.

Ron.

Depending how much material you wished removed. You could use a mirror makers method using a fine grit such as 400 Carborundum on a flat metal surface.  Simply by using random figure of eight strokes will remove  material from the spacers. As I said, how much removal required will determine whether this method  is suitable for the task. Might make your fingers sore too though.

Ron.

Fast radio bursts have been in the news lately.  They display a split second burst of energy, and a bright flare. I couldn't possibly state that what you saw was FRB.  Bit then again, I could not discount it either.

Ron.

Between the two scopes you have mentioned, my choice would be 
the 16" Dobsonian. The light gather of the Dob. wins out for me.
If your SCT was on a permanent pier in an Observatory, then the choice would 
be a more  difficult one, but the SCT would probably win out from a convenience point of view.
Ron.

@Stu  You have a real Gem there, don't ever part with it.
@Mark at Beaufort  Why on earth did you part with your 6"f8 ?😲
Ron.

As always Avani, your lunar images give us the great feeling that we are on the
threshold of landing on there ourselves. Cernan and Schmitt spent 22 hours on the surface.
Ron Evans was the Command Module driver 🙂
Schmitt being a geologist was in his element up there 😃.
I've recorded Eight Days to the Moon from last nights TV Prog.
I'll take it all in again tonight.
Superb Image though.

Ron.

My first acquisition, was a Norton's handbook.  The number of times I thumbed through those pages. The next lot, were the three Burnham's celestial volumes.                                                        Ron.

A tree, on the Moon,,? Blimey who'd believe it. 😁.    Joking aside, you've got it Sussed now.

Ron.

One of my likes too this one, It sits in the centre of the Scutum Star Cloud, which 
is a very dense area indeed.  It was discovered by Gottfried Kirch, a German Astronomer.
And I believer it was Admiral Lord Smythe who named it for it's resemblance to a flight of Wild Ducks.
I'm afraid he saw something I can't, perhaps he had a better imagination than me though 😃.
Nice Capture Gary.
Ron.

A lot of work has gone into APT, and  Ivo deserves a huge Thank You for his practical contribution to Astro Photography. He had improved it"s various, and very useful mechanisms over it"s many versions.   The main plus is the price, which is very reasonable, and incorporates updates during each  version. So a a big thanks from me Ivo.

Ron.

That is terrific John.Onward and Upward to many more
like this.  Great job, It's like you're a veteran already, well done matey. 
Ron.   

I had no ulterior motive asking the question, other than curiosity. I'm sure the packaging is more than adequate to keep the contents secure on their journey from the manufacturers. Also, I wouldn't expect all the consignment to be examined, but perhaps a random choice of one or two. Besides, I expect the quality control at the factory is sufficiently  thorough to promote confidence.

Please don't assume I'm questioning  your integrity, far from it,  I've never had any doubts whatsoever about FLO.  All the reviews I've submitted indicate that.

Ron.

Wow! that's quite a load. Do you carry out pre-delivery checks Steve, or 
is confidence in the Mount high?
It would delay delivery a little  for those already chomping at the Bit Though, if PD's were to be done😃.
Ron.

I agree with Carole re the Star Party option. The great thing about them.
is the camaraderie that develops, and is a fantastic antidote to poor skies
should they spoil the other reason you go there.
SGL holds SP's on  a regular basis, and If you want to attend the next one, you can book a pitch
through Flo. There are other accommodation options, but I would think they are all booked  by now.
There's always next year though. Give it some thought, I guarantee you'll have a great time. and make many friends too.
Ron.

How I envy the Big Dob Squad, but in a nice way of course.
I had the pleasure of using a 20" Obsession a number of years ago at a Kelling
Star Party. The targets I managed to see before giving way to a queue of folks also waiting
were M13, M27 and the Veil Nebula. I was astounded by the unbelievable  views  in the eyepiece.
You're in for many many glorious sights in yours Mark.
Enjoy to the full.

Ron.

If you are looking for colour, try double stars.  
Their temperatures are generally indicated by their colour. Red are cooler, and example being
the giant star Betelgeuse in Orion. another in the same constellation is Rigel which is blue in colour,
BLue indicating very Hot stars. when you see doubles, either binaries, or optical, their colours 
are very beautiful when seen in a telescope. Good examples Albireo the Swan's head in The constellation Cygnus.
Gamma Andromeda is another lovely pairing, but there are more.
Ron. 

Now that's Magic. The ringside seat we have to witness displays like this is wonderful, and all free too. 

Must credit the video  producer. Fantastic job.

Ron.

I can only echo the accolades all the other thread contributers have written.  I would just like to add that when quality scopes contain  quality wooden structures as mount and support mechanisms, it makes me very happy. Wood is a wonderful medium to include in a large telescope,  and this instrument is a very fine example.   I'm sure you will get a great deal of pleasure using your  new acquisition. 

I wish you clear skies so you can get the results this scope is capable of.

Ron.

Sought Ian's advice only a couple of times in the past, but I found him to be  an incredibly helpful guy, and 
his pleasant persona will fit very  well into the Flo. Team.
Best Wishes Mr King.
Ron.

You might wish to go the EQMOD route to telescope control.  This will allow you to dispense with the hand controller altogether.   The input port and guide port are situated together just above the usb port you highlighted. Neither of those ports are usb's 

One is the ST 4 input to enable autoguiding for long exposure astrophotography, the other is the handset control input.

You need to download  the latest Ascom  Platform version, then download the equascom Skywatcher mount driver to enable you to control the telescope from your laptop via a planetarium prog, such as Starry night, or Stellarium.

If you wish to carry on using your handset, you need to use a serial to USB converter, otherwise it will not work.

There is more on this on the forum, and better explanations than mine.  There is nothing wrong with your gear, you just need to understand what is required.

Ron.

The USB port on your mount is not there on mine, which is also the EQ6 R-Pro.    Perhaps the mount has-been modified since I bought mine.  I don't  know why that usb B port is for.

1 hour ago, johninderby said:

It’s on iPlayer

.https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p07922lr/the-planets

 

Cheers John, got it on my Smartphone, do I'm able to cast it the Television.   👍

Ron.