Stu1smartcookie

4 minutes ago, Stu said:

I do fear the loss of the optical expertise in old hands such as Roland Christen at AP. I know that mass produced product is getting better, but there will hopefully always be a place for the specialist high end ‘boutique’ manufacturers with that bit extra. That fear is driven by the expectation that optics will start to play second fiddle with all the scopes which just deliver images via a screen or linked to a phone. These have their place of course, but I hope we don’t lose the physical visual connection we have now (when the clouds go away!)

Hopefully we will see more, better thought out and designed products continuing to come through. The Baader Maxbright IIs are a prime example; not revolutionary by any means, but just plain better in almost every way including optically so they really do enhance the experience.

Agree entirely . I am a real fan of technology and the exciting products that are now hitting the market in astronomy but tradition in our hobby is a very powerful tool and new ideas and aids will never dampen the enthusiasm in using our eyes to look through a scope in awe . 

3 minutes ago, Stu said:

The clever bit is all in the camera,

Honestly not wishing to be pedantic here Stu , but the clever thing is definitely the software not the camera . The camera is pretty standard fare , but Google ( being primarily a software company ) have found a brilliant way of enhancing photos like the ones you took . Lets face it , thats about as good as you are going to get from a mobile phone .. truly fantastic . And the pixel 7a which is out soon will have the same camera . 

I believe the pixel 6 and 7 share the same camera sensor and most importantly for a pixel , the same software . Delfinitely the best the mobile phone for astrophotograhy . 

Had a brief spell of clear weather last night and decided to have a play with the dwarf Labs scope . I took dark frames first and then attempted to set up in EQ mode which wasn't that successful so i went back to Alt-Az . 

After callibration i chose the leo triplet as my target . Ufortunately this is where the "brief spell of clear weather " came to an abrupt end , although i managed 10 x 15s exposures at a gain of 80 . The photo wont win any awards but for 2 1/2 minutes i think it was ok . Edited the photo on the phone .

6 minutes ago, Mr Spock said:

Also, at SGL, I’ll be replaced by a bot… 😜 

Logical , Mr Spock 

6 minutes ago, Franklin said:

I'm with Alan on this one as well. I recently got a Goto mount, first in 40 years of stargazing (on and off) and whilst I can appreciate it and it is pretty amazing, I still like to take a scope, a few eyepieces and a manual mount outside and keep it very simple. I look at the Sun and Moon, the Planets when they're about and brighter deep-sky objects. Even though I'm looking at the same objects year after year it is still very rewarding to see all of these amazing sights and finding them, for me, is half the fun.

Have to admit i have a "manual " starsense module , modified for my manual mount , technology helping visual. BTW , most if not all can recall their first view of Saturn , maybe in a very basic scope , but nontheless one of the most rewarding views . Looking at a photo is nice but nothing compares to seeing those rings with your own eyes . 

1 hour ago, Alan White said:

On a serious note, what I do hope is that the wonder of visual observing is not lost in the technological frenzy in which we find ourselves.
I like the simple and to me 'more pure' form of the hobby,

Alan , you are spot on .Visual will always remain as the most basic , yet most satisfying aspect of astronomy in my opinion . 

Personally no but my mate does 

3 hours ago, Chaz2b said:

I’ve now printed and fitted a base saver, polar alignment tube and Bahtinov mask

Hi , I would be interested in the batinov mask … a real necessity in my book . As for polar aligning , the unit uses plate solving so getting the pole star in the centre of the view should be enough .

39 minutes ago, MartinHiggins said:

Hi Stevie, I've just been reading the posts on Cloudy Nights and it looks very interesting. Could you tell me whose selling it in the UK?

Cheers

Hi , I benefitted from Steve’s knowledge on this and purchased mine from 365 Astronomy. It was the first time I had bought from them and experienced excellent service . They still have their promotion  on regarding the dwarf labs 2 … check out their website  for details . 
Stu 

3 minutes ago, cajen2 said:

I believe it's ash, but I'm no expert.....

Could be , or Hard Maple ... but ash is a good shout ... as long as its a hardwood . 

Many thanks Ian i certainty  will do that 

Stu 

So another few purchases but I reckon I am almost there when it comes to my Astronomy gear ..  
A lovely pair of 8-24 mm Celestron zoom EPs ( one of which was a freebie from Amazon as they somehow messed up my Easter Sunday) and then a nice Bino viewer courtesy of @cloudsweeper( Thanks Doug) , and finally a very pretty SVBony mirror diagonal . 

2 minutes ago, Knighty2112 said:

Ooh, looks interesting! Just been watching some video reviews on this and looks very tempting at that price! 🤔

I have been waiting months to order one from a uk outlet . They were available direct but when the Easter Deal came up at 365 Astronomy , it was too good to miss .

1 hour ago, StevieDvd said:

May as well put it on charge now in case the clouds have a short break later.

What and spoil that lovely unboxing feeling you only get when you are calm and quiet indoors

Call you tonight mate ... i'm sure there will be loads to talk about . 

2 minutes ago, JeremyS said:

Not seen one of these before. Keen to hear how you get on with it 👍🏻

Will certainly post an update , Jeremy .... tonight will be one of nervous excitement as i get to grips with setting up and charging the internal battery . lol 

My first purchase from 365 Astronomy , shout out to Zoltan , who took my initial call on Good Friday… and processed my order to arrive today . Box looked a bit battered by the DPD guys ( that’s what happens when you use “fragile” tape ! but all looks A1 . 
Looking forward to trying this lovely little scope out as I’ve been doing loads of research over the last few months . As far as I know 365 Astronomy are the only uk outlet to have these in stock ( unless anyone knows different ) .   

Stu 

A lovely image where , for once the clouds actually play a positive part in a photo . 

12 hours ago, AstroNebulee said:

Had a really enjoyable observing session tonight only a couple of hours with the ST80 on AZ5 and helios 7.2-21.5mm zoom lens. Hunting some doubles via sky safari in the Cambridge double star observing list. 

There was a lot of high cloud that kept coming in patches and waves that prevented the better seeing but still managed some doubles. I will attach a screenshot of the targets observed tonight as I'm to lazy to type it out and some long names. Yep done of the doubles are easy but it was a nice start to tick them off for me. 

Iota Cancri was the pick of the bunch, a beautiful golden and blue double, such contrast and a real jewel of the night sky. 

I could see the moon was beginning to rise so I hunted down M51 and was so chuffed to see it. Albeit a slight smudge with averted vision but it was there. I zoomed in a bit and with averted vision again could make out the cores just, with these being slightly brighter areas in the smudge of M51. This finished off a lovely starter session for me. 

Lee

Lovely report Lee . 
A really simple set up which sets a great example to all new members that Astronomy doesn’t need to cost thousands . I would call it inspiring and using the equipment to its potential . Really enjoyed reading it mate .

Stu 

7 hours ago, Louis D said:

Click the link and read the Wikipedia article? 

Basically, some of the largest and nearest stars have been professionally resolved.  You didn't put any qualification on "best and largest telescope".

I believe you really did know what I meant but if that’s the way we are going on here then , hmmm .. 

45 minutes ago, Louis D said:

Not necessarily.

Care to elaborate Louis , for the record .   

On 05/04/2023 at 11:52, Pixies said:

After all these mighty purchases, this seems a little minor:

Just need the 9mm now to complete the set.

Don't diss your purchase ... the most expensive scopes on the planet  still need an eyepiece

The Amazon man arrived and bought this very interesting SVBony 3-8mm zoom . This EP got a very good review  by AVT Astro  so I’m expecting good things … if we get a few clear nights . Reasuringly weighty too . 

hmmm... firstly taking the OP exactly as he wrote , then YES .. its possible , but , the principle of adding an imperfect glass pane will introduce all sorts of bizare distortions . However its down to the individual to determine if its bothersome or not . Stars are only points of light in the best and largest telescope of course , but the idea is to see them as precisely as possible . 

For some people , viewing through a small window is the only possibility . ie in a small flat in a high rise building with no balcony . Astronomy is a hobby that can be enjoyed by everyone , to varying degrees. From what i gather the OP can move the scope to a place where he is able to view outside ..so  its a no brainer really . There is a YouTube channel ( hertfordshire allotment) where the guy in his early days did view through an OPEN window . Still not ideal , but it kind of worked . 

6” Starwave out cooling and the Starsense returned to its rightful place in its own clamp on the skytee … it looks happy on there     
Not a cloud in the sky but annoyingly a few hours to go before observing  ,but , Elena is making hot cross buns as well as a rather tasty curry so I will be in an ultra good mood and totally relaxed ( although 2lbs heavier) when stepping out into the evening along with  a cool beer . Yes , I’ve got it all worked out lol . Moon will be out in force so I will be giving it some serious attention  with my Baader orthos  . Clear skies to everyone  tonight .