mark81

Looks like a beast! (The telescope that is...) With the warm weather and the skies looking crystal clear I can't wait to get out their either.... Have a great night Mark

When I observe by the coast I don't actually go down onto the beach, I find it much safer on the green leading up to it. Don't have to worry about the tide either - which is easier to get caught out than you think - especially in the dark

Nice session Doug. I didn't actually think you could view the GRS at such low power with an 80mm - but as you said, good EPs and experience help a lot - I guess the goto makes tracking a breeze too. Mark

I often read bits and pieces from Patrick Moore's observing with binoculars.... Mainly for inspiration when the whole aperture fever thing kicks in and this tends to get me back outside with renewed enthusiasm. I have a bunch of those beginners astronomy books which I take a look at now and then, but I mainly glance at my Cambridge Star Atlas when it's cloudy or I have some spare time. I love the way the book is broken down and the lists with all the Magnitudes....all of which are within the grasp of binoculars or a small scope. There's nothing more frustrating than finding an interesting target in an atlas and then realising you need a scope the size of a dustbin to see it... That's why it gets so much use.... Mark

Wow, that was an epic session and an epic read (although very enjoyable). I like the way you also found the time to enjoy the targets with different mags rather than just jumping from one to the other. It just goes to show you what can be done with a small scope (albeit a Tak) and amazing skies. Great stuff! Mark

I always stick to Porros as in the past I have found that Roofs add little spikes to stars - it certainly was the case a few years back. Hold on and see what other members suggest about the ED glass, I really can't comment as well be only used them during the day - the difference was notable, but for me, not worth the extra 400 the guy paid for them..

It's always tough when you narrow things down and think you've made a choice and the something else pops up. If your set on a pair of x8s then I guess it comes down to the quality of the glass Vs light gathering power. The extra light gathering that the 56 gives over the 42 is going to open up so many more targets and tease out a little more detail fainter objects...... But you do have your 20x80s for more light power.... So maybe the EDs may be the way go.....but.... I've always found Porros to produce cleaner stars (but that's just me..) Are you certain your going for ED glass? For under £100 the Olympus 8x42 (not ED) are fantastic - lots of other models which compare well too- but it all depends on personal preference.... Mark

Nice one! I always check out M31 when I have the bins out. When Cassiopeia is in a good position for you, there are some nice clusters in there to check out...and then of course Auriga will be well placed too. There's always something very satisfying about a quick session with binoculars. Mark

Thanks Steve, Great edition once again. Should keep me busy this month. Mark

The quality of your sketches are always superb - the stars are so realistic. A great set of clusters too..

I guess it's far from being unknown, but I like the cluster ngc752 in Andromeda - and the little double that sits on its edge......

They are nice doubles to check out - although a little rough on the neck unless your laying back.... Have you ever checked out the Binocular Double Star programme by the Astro League? Some of them are a little on the optimistic side but there are some really good ones there.One of my favourites is over in Andromeda. '56 Andromedae' which is a nice bright double - but just so happens to sit right on the edge of the star cluster ngc752 which almost fills the FOV. https://www.astroleague.org/programs/BinoDS_AppendA just scroll to the bottom and open up the PDF. Mark

Nice one. With this hot weather, get outside tonight on a recliner and take a look around Cygnus-they should be fantastic around there.. Great views last night with the 10x50s...

These really are quite good, and for that price - even better. I haven't used the 15x70s before... Just the 11x70s.... Did you buy a set? If you did, be sure to let us know how you got on with them - Mark

Hi John Have you got any EPs with the scope? If it's the stock set of EPs then I'm guessing a 10mm and a 25mm. The 10mm will give you x90 which on a good night should bring out some detail in Jupiter and of course the rings of Saturn... Or are you lookin to buy some new EPs...? If so, what budget would you be looking at? Also, is your scope a refractor or a reflector? Mark

Very nice report and well done on seeing what you did. Cloudy over North Norfolk (what's new) Also, it's interesting to see what other scopes the other members brought along. From 66mm to over 200? Great stuff. And a nice mention for a modest pair of 8x42s. Thanks Mark

Most Binocular brands will be upfront about the FOV. For a 10x50 you will get about 6degrees and maybe a little more if you go for the 7's

I would stick to the 10x50 rather than the zoom option. 24x50 and the image is going to be much harder to keep steady , as well as the field of view being reduced. Andromeda is easy and from a dark site the Orion nebula is incredible.

I would agree that even a small scope means you have to 'think' about taking it outside, but a pair of bins is no thought at all. I would go for either a 7x50 or what I use the most, a 10x50. Any bigger than that and realistically you will need to Tripod mount them..

I have the Olympus dpsi too, and a pair of 11x70 Opticrons. The Olympus are Great bins for the price and under dark skies they really do perform well. I was looking at a pair of 8x30s for really wide views but I think the 40s might be next .. I've considered AP a few times but, yeah, just having a casual look round and picking out some nice clusters is all I really do... What I can't see with the bins I grab with the ST80.. Mark

Nice one Mark. I use my 10x50s more than anything else... I often feel the same at the end of the winter when all those great targets vanish and the sky remains blue for what feels like the entire night.. Dark skies are on their way!

I guess that someone with a pair of 50mm would find themselves thinking they were missing out on that extra bit of detail.... And the someone with the 80mm sat in a chair with their legs between a tripod and a pain in their neck might wish they had the 50s. For me, I would base it on the sky quality. .. if the skies are good and dark there is so much the 50s can see and the wide field is fantastic. For example, the best view I ever had of the Orion Nebula was with the 50s. Yes I got more detail with scopes and bigger bins, but the wide FOV and the way it sat was perfect..

Very nice report .... You bagged some great objects there.... I'll give them a go this week with my 10x50s...

Just had a look on a few other forums Stu and people suggest taking the mirror out altogether and giving a clean in the sink!?... Hmmmmm......

No technical ideas here...and this has never been proved, but I use Conkers around the shed to keep the spiders away.... Apparently they contain some noxious goo which spiders hate...take that spiders!