glafnazur

On 15/08/2023 at 10:16, Space Oddities said:

The postman delivered a few packages in the last couple weeks! A very nice looking Sky-Watcher Startravel 120, together with a GSO Focuser (I have to admit the stock focuser went straight back to the box) and an ES 82° 30mm eyepiece. This will make a nice grab and go scope!

I also got a handle and a matching dovetail bar, both from the brand Bresser, which makes the scope easier to carry. I also replaced some parts, like the tube rings' knobs, I find them really hard to fasten properly. The focuser is great, but the rotating functionality wasn't very smooth. Turns out, the 3 set screws are either too lose or too tight... I couldn't find the right balance and was afraid the whole thing would wobble, so I removed the set screws and used some thumb screws I had lying around. That's 4 screws to turn if I want to rotate the focuser, but at least it's secure and doesn't require any tool. Finally I salvaged a couple finder shoes and attached them on the handle and the focuser, to fit a finder, ASIAIR or phone holder.

I also need to figure out how go fit my Telrad in here... Maybe some 3D printer support? Time will tell!

Anyways... I had first light a few days ago, between clouds, and could observe Andromeda and a explore the Cygnus region, before clouds came back. The scope is very nice and I couldn't see any chromatic aberration so far. Once the Moon is back and the clouds are gone, I'm going to give this a try to see how bad CA is, and see if my filters can improve the view somehow.

Very nice, I am thinking of getting an SW ST120 as a grab and go scope when I can scrape up enough money.

I had a fair bit of luck, it was lovely and clear on Friday night and I saw 7 and 1 sporadic between 11pm and 1am and 15 and 2 sporadics on Saturday evening between 11pm and 2am. There was a lot more cloud on Saturday night but there were a few good breaks. The best one I saw was the very first one of the night on Friday, it left quite a trail.

Nice capture 👍

That's fantastic and as you said it is amazing that you can do this from your backyard. 

Another + for Telescopius

Love that second image 

Love the Davis Dinosaur, I'm going to have to hunt for that once the skies clear  😄

I think that's really good. I've not tried sketching any craters but if I did and they came out like that then I'd be pretty chuffed.

That's much better, nice one.

Super image, love the colours Peter 👍

12 hours ago, Martthebass said:

With only a couple of hours of reasonably clear skies in these parts over the last 6 weeks it’s not been the best time for imaging. So with these 2 hours I decided to do something foolish and aim at Abell 39. I think this is one of the most beautiful PNs in the sky with its almost perfect spherical symmetry. The image certainly isn’t great, I needed at least 3x the integration time to get the noise down but im just happy I could see it at all.

Agreed, it is one of the loveliest PNs around, a beautiful object.

30 minutes ago, badhex said:

Very pleased that our nice postperson brought me this today! 

 

well done 

Things will get better, just hang on in there, the nights will be getting darker and longer soon.

I don't get out anywhere near as much as I'd like due to work and family caring commitments and, like many I'm limited mainly to weekends, but the sessions I do get bring the magic back. There's nothing like looking at old favourites and discovering a few new gems. The first thing I do when I leave my house is to look up at the sky, I always have and always will, and giving up completely will only happen when I'm too unfit to continue.

A quick grab and go setup alongside the main kit is probably the answer. I've taken my 16x80 binos up to the bedroom (my wife sleeps downstairs now due to her health) and I have spent a good few hours observing from my bedroom window. I got a great view of the moon amongst some cirrocumulus last month. I set them up by the bed and if i am woken up in the middle of the night I have a quick look to see if its clear and spend a bit of time observing before going back to sleep. It isnt ideal but it is better than nothing.

In fact I'm thinking of bringing my ST80 up so I can at least get some observing in without the hassle of setting up and riskinn disturbing my wife in the middle of the night once I'm finished. 

Dave

Just viewed this on a larger monitor and it looks way better than on on my laptop. I'd agree that is one of the best, if not the best, Elephant's Trunk I've seen. Would you mind if i downloaded a copy for my desktop background?

wow that's quite spectacular Peter. The colours are amazing. 👍

Super images, I've always loved the Trifid. 

That's a super image 👍

Sounds good to me too

I've got one of the old blue tubes and for the price I paid I can't fault it. I use it mainly as a grab and go scope for double stars.

I'm getting that message every time I click on Unread. 

5 hours ago, Ags said:

Same here. I can - barely - make out the Hercules 'keystone' asterism on a good night.  Four nights out of five it is undetectable. It was easier a decade ago I think.

sadly I have to say it is the same here  

3 hours ago, wookie1965 said:

I am mostly a double star man I do look at clusters and planetary nebulas 

Same for me. I think I've only known one other member of my local astro society who liked looking at doubles,. For some reason or another most people just don't seem to like looking at doubles 🤔 

5 hours ago, DrMike said:

Thanks, but whenever I move house/flat they’re a [removed word] to pack, but I’m loathe to get rid of them. Some have been with me nearly most of my life, and they’re very good friends, so to speak. 

Great collection. I know what you mean by them being 'good friends '. I remember giving a book to a friend back in my teens and I regretted it straight away, since then I've never given away, swapped or sold another one, much to my wife's bemusement and consternation. 

My books hold so many great memories, it's not just about the content. My books tell a tale of when I bought them, who I knew at the time, and how my life was at that moment. I love books, you can keep you kindles, etc, give me a proper book 

7 hours ago, Naughty Neal said:

I did just that bought an eye patch , I found it so much more comfortable then keeping an eye shut.

I bought an eyepatch a few weeks ago. I've only tried it once but it definitely helped (once I'd got used to it. )

That's brilliant, really special