Stu1smartcookie

Hi Billy i second what Doug has written ... i viewed Mars last night with an 8" dobsonian and only just made out some surface shading ... The planet is fading in magnitude quite quickly now and, even at its best , visually, it can be a let down . In fact Mars is a planet that you have to view for quite sometime before it gives you too much in return . Don't be too hard on yourself or the equipment .. it really is difficult to observe . Stu

An unexpected clear spell last night meant a quick set up of the Dob , just to give my 10mm and 6mm Ortho EPs a first go . Not ideal in a way as the scope was not sufficiently cooled but , the moon was rapidly disapearing over the roof so i had to take the opportunity . Spoiler alert , these EPs are fantastic . Clarity was exceptional when viewing the moon , i focused on the Apeninne region , starting with the 10mm . I was a bit concerned that the admittedly tight eye relief would prove to be an issue but , i need not have worried . No black spots when viewing just a lovely bright image , i switched to the 6mm , and the image was slightly softer as the scope hadnt properly cooled , but once again there was no problems regarding brightness . A quick switch to Mars which showed subtle shading , but in truth , the conditions were not condusive ... i really needed to put the Dob out 30minutes earlier. ( lesson to be learnt ) . A quick view of Orion , but using a 26mm EP showed the normal nebulosity and the trapezium . I then left the scope for around 30minutes before attempting to find the Comet . After a frustrating 15minutes or so searching in the right area i managed to locate it in the 8x50 finder . It was quite near a star (optically) and showed a fairly bright nucleus with a surround of gas , It was a great sight and one that makes this hobby really worthwhile . One thing i did notice was how quickly the comet is moving . From its starting distance from the star in the EP it had moved considerably . Clouds rolled in from the North West ending the fairly short but worthwhile session . In conclusion , i need to buy the 18mm Baader ortho , as per @Franklin sugestion . And its going to be clear tonight too ! One image I took with the phone of the comet

lol ok , … for one day only

I am certainly buying the 18mm … mod course I was clouded out last night and it looks the same for tonight too , so , the curse strikes again. 😕

A couple of Baader Classic Orthos courtesy of @PeterC65. Excellent condition and packed really well . Looking forward to trying them out .

Hi, i can only speak of my experience in using 82 degree EPs .. i had three celestrons ... 10mm, 15mm and the giant 31mm ( very heavy ) .. they were all good in so much as they gave nice flat views but i simply couldnt get on with the wide FOV they showed . I found myself being distracted , especially in the case of the 31mm . the widest fov EPs that work for me , so far , are the hyperions from baader which i believe offer 68 degrees . In fact i actually prefer lower more narrow fov EPs . Its just my opinion and i'm sure someone else will comment that the 82 degree EPs are a wonderful addition . Stu

lol Paul , you could start another debate with that line 🤣.. although im sure its been done before .

So sorry to read about issues re;lated to the hobby , but , as has been written already i think most of us have problems, in one area or another . I am not the most patient of people and get frustrated very quickly when things are going wrong . The hobby of astronomy and of course astrophotography has so many variables and at any given time one thing can ruin a session . Couple with that the , quite frankly questionable skies over the UK and frustration and indeed an almost depression like feeling overtakes . Of course its not a cheap hobby too , the more one gets into it , the more one pays . Sometimes its like throwing good money after bad . I really wish you well and hope you come back re-invigurated .

A nice addition to my recently acquired Asiair this ZWO camera plus ir-cut filter will do me a treat. Many thanks to @wornish. Superbly packed and delivered within two days .

Hmmm they are so different , if you had one of each then I would say you have the perfect lightweight set up . Mak for Luna and planetary and 80ed for widefield I have the 80ed and I think it's a great scope for a quick set up and go bit the Mak doesn't take too long to cool and gives very pleasing views . Horses for courses ,. No one scope does it all , as the saying goes

Fantastic sketches , and a great case for the Frac .

Great shots mate

Seeing in my part of the world wasnt great , too ... but , you gotta take what you are offered i suppose ... a bit frustrating though as i had the same experience with Jupiter ...i set up just after 5pm and was back indoors by 7.30 as cloud rolled in . Tonight and tomorrow forecast to be ok , but then we will be back into milder cloudier conditions . My scope deinitely needs a collimation tweak... something to do during the day tomorrow . Nice report , @bosun21.

Out with the Stellalyra 8” d dob for its first light… no collimation device but it looked quite good.. will need a tweak. Schoolboy error setting up to close to the house but just about caught Mars and the Hyades using the 31mm EP some really nice widefield views . Switched to the much maligned supplied 9mm and centered on the Orion Neb … wonderful view with loads of nebulosity . Quite Dewey tonight but I didn’t use the built in fan although no doubt it’s a useful addition . Dual speed focuser was nice . A few extras needed including bobs knobs and a digital angle finder . Maybe a telrad although a red dot finder would compliment the included RACI . One of the best things is the set up time of 5 minutes ! No stress or fuss … just how it should be . This scope is about 80 pounds dearer than the skywatcher version but the included extras are worth the extra investment . Looking forward to having a full session tomorrow evening .

If I need any modifications on scopes etc I’m bringing them down to you,Ian

So , a delivery by DPD from FLO to my work . And after transporting home one very large and one very square box I set about building the base , which went remarkably well for me , especially as I have no DIY skills at all . I decided to put the EP rack on the opposite side to the focuser because I was pretty sure it would be in the way whilst whilst viewing . To be honest I might take the damn thing off all together .. I can’t see me using it much anyway .. I think the scope looks great in black and actually will sit very nicely in our large kitchen just one patio door away from outside .

just ordered the 8" , Ian .

Very classy and a nice thought , mate .

I’m glad FLO have sent the focuser to you Ian( so they should ) I think we are due a few clear nights this week . Can’t wait to see the report on the scopes mate . I am looking at dobs as mrs smart cookie has said I can keep one by the patio doors ( happy days … I must have been good the last few days lol) .. just wondering what one to buy … 8” or 10” or be really naughty and go for the 12” , although I have to be realistic (ish clear skies mate

I have never seen the skies so clear , amazing

First official light of the Star Adventurer GTi and the Skywatcher ED80 , tracking was spot on. But I am no Astro Photographer, and I can’t help thinking that a 12” Dob is calling me ( @bosun21… I’ve got aperture fever after seeing the Stellalyra on Saturday ) Anyway an enjoyable if very chilly 2 hours of mainly star watching , and the inevitable Orion Nebula and the Beehive cluster which is always a welcome sight .

I may attend . Never been to one of these before .

So here is the field flattener that I collected from @bosun21. Looking forward to trying it in my ED80 … maybe Monday evening .

Just about to contact him now , Ian

This looks a great addition to the portable AZ goto range. Is there any reason why one would need to use the L Bracket at all , can two scopes not sit side by side without that bracket ( sorry if that’s been answered before )