Stu1smartcookie

The First light of my "new" Lyra 102 , which unfortunately didnt really go to plan . Firstly i was late setting up , so i was rushing to catch the window of clear sky . Polar alignment was a joke ( although not funny ), plus i forgot to align the finder with the scope zzz  and a real schoolboy error was when i didnt extend the tripod enough to compensate for the length of the scope . I did see a few objects though and was suitably impressed how sharp the stars were . This scope was made for planetary and luna and the next time i am rewarded with a clear sky , there will be NO rushing around . Lesson learnt ....AGAIN !!!

Whilst i would say the Nexstar 8SE is a great package , the cost is quite high . The mount , is at best , adequate , bordering on good . But imo the 8" scope when loaded with a weighty EP and possibly a better diagonal and a decent finder rather than the very poor RDF makes the scope quite a heavy beast for the single fork arm . The 6" scope is a much better fit for the mount . 

But , to counter what i wrote you will have some fantastic views of the planets and the moon though that scope . 

An 8" Dob , is a fine starter scope , especially the StellaLyra from FLO as you get a really nice dual speed focuser and a decent EP supplied as standard . And its cheaper than the SCT. 

Yes you have to find things yourself ... so, why not consider the Celestron Starsense Dobsonian ( 8" ) which will allow assistance in finding objects . 

A quick SeeStars session on the moon this morning … Two photos , one showing the lovely crescent phase and the second showing a bit of earthshine 

Just now, Dave scutt said:

Thanks stu.

Can't wait to try it out but of course it's raining.

Where i'm b ased the skies will be clear at ..... 6am , and Leo is high in the south at that time so i may get a chance to capture the leo triplet . 

I bought a batinov mask for the SS and a lens cover , but by far the best extra was buying a small power bank from Amazon for £10 so the seestars is always charged. 

Stu

22 minutes ago, Dave scutt said:

Happy 😊

Nice one Dave  

1 hour ago, Neil27 said:

😂 happy for you Steve, same here and it’s shocking for the next week! Apologies!

Neil I reckon you too are to blame mate … zzz although I was just outside having a Quick Look at Jupiter in the ED80 with blue filter … actually my best view so far. But it’s getting cloudy .

Glad the seestars are coming through now . Good luck with yours .. it’s an amazing bit of kit  

1 hour ago, StevieDvd said:

Another new owner of a Seestar S50 from today, now I can post on this thread as an owner and not an interested party.

Great News ,Steve . But you've also brought some very poor weather to us all  ( as from tomorrow ) 

Picked up a Sky-Watcher ED80… with a moonlite focuser which is absolutely superb … it came with the focus motor too . Perfectly balanced and weighted on my carbon fibre tripod . 

16 hours ago, Stonecutter said:

_{new firmware update with planetary mode.....watch this space}

 

_Chris

i watched a YT video this morning , Rooster , took some photos and videos of Jupiter ... although obviously small the images were ok .

10 minutes ago, F15Rules said:

I finally got out last night, which was my first proper session for several months on a number of counts:

- my first scope session since c. early September due to various factors, weather, family, holidays etc, even a bit of waning mojo to be honest.

- my first proper session with my Maxbright II binoviewers since I got them in the early part of this year..

The colder, clearer weather was forecast, so I prepared Trinity my FS128, installed the BVs, having  checked everything was properly connected (using a BV can be an exercise in frustration if you're not very organised!)..so, by 8.20pm I was ready to go, lined up on Jupiter🙂..with my R.A.drive keeping the planet in view with only minor corrections for over an hour.

The sky was very clear to begin with, but of course the high up waning moon was still very bright and washing out most stars of mag 2 or fainter. 

I did manage to position the scope behind a tree in the garden to block out much of the direct light. Jupiter was a picture, with the 4 main moons beautifully arranged, with one of them (Io, I think) close to Jupiter on the east side, and two more further out, also on the east, appearing almost vertically on top of each other. The higher magnification second shot was taken at 21.49pm, 48 minutes later than the first one at 21.01pm, and you can clearly see the change in the positions of the satellites in that time, especially Io, which was heading for a transit with Jupiter (please excuse the less than great mobile phone pics, I must get a phone holder!)..

By now there was a high milky haze which did start to dim key features and cause a bit of light scattering.

I could see 4 key bands, and hints of "roughness" along the band edges, but the conditions wouldn't support much over 100x without the sharpness diminishing..I did get long enough to try the Baader 1.7x OCS in the BBHS Zeiss prism diagonal..this gave 147x when coupled with a pair of Tak 12mm Abbe orthos, and I could tell that this will be a wonderful pairing in better skies.

Sadly, the skies began to cloud over by just after 10pm, just as my beloved Orion was gaining some altitude..all I had time to do was get a quick shot of the main stars with my phone..but it's fair to say that c 90 minutes of viewing Jupiter, and very briefly, at the last minute, a hazy rather light scattered waning Moon, has really been a tonic. I cant wait to get outside again!

PS: although it was bitterly cold, I felt very comfortable using a combination of double socks, Havers thermal long Johns under soft fabric tracksuit bottoms, fingerless Thinsulate gloves, two warm fleece lined jackets and a woollen Beanie!👍😊

Dave

lovely , Dave... as cold as it gets , when its nice and clear we are spoilt for the wonders we get to see in the early winter night sky 

Out with the 8" Newt for its first light . Set up before 5pm and waited a couple of hours before even attempting to see anything ... Using the AVX mount with the skyportal app i basically pointed the mount North ( ish) and pressed the connect button on the ipad . Slewed to Jupiter and it was remarkably accurate (just a bit out) but once centered the planet stayed in view for the next 90 minutes . The scope was well collimated and no adjustment necessary and whilst i didnt bump the mag up too much the views were exceptional . Decided to bring everything in at around 8;30 as the cold was biting . All in all though a great session . 

A shout out to Altair Astro , Norwich , for their service . I ordered a scope , but had a change of mind . I emailed Ian who went above and beyond to provide me with what i consider a great alternative of similar cost . No "ifs or buts " , just great service , and i received the replacement scope the next day ! . Many thanks to all at Altair Astro . 

9 hours ago, Ande said:

Is anybody else having issues with their Seestar? I seem to be having a running battle with mine….

Firstly, I usually get it to point at one of the brighter stars, Vega or similar, in order to get a decent focus. It will struggle to locate it and will try to plate solve. Then it will moan about not seeing enough stars. It’ll keep taking pictures, then take the full 30 seconds to try to get it’s bearings.  It will invariably fail, and keep repeating the process several times before reporting it’s inability to complete the task. Eventually, I’ll get the star centred, then it will fail to focus, so I have to do it manually with the aid of a Bhatinov mask.  Once it’s finally in focus, and pointing where it should be, I’ll choose a target. It’ll eventually find it, and then start imaging. However, it is discarding more frames than it is keeping. Far more…. It can take an hour to give me 5-6 minutes of data.  Every 6 or 7 passes it will inform me of star trails, but most of the interim pictures are ignored anyway, so it’s a moot point.  And every now and then it’ll moan that it can’t see any stars during imaging. It’s done this when looking at the Pleiades so I’m not at all sympathetic. Especially when I can see it clearly with my 61 year old eyes. 
 

Another odd thing it will do is suddenly present me with a picture where it looks like the brightest stars have melted downwards, as if the telescope has been knocked. But all of the lesser stars are still sharp, so it makes no sense. Although, somewhat infuriatingly, it’ll happily add the frame to the stack. 
 

With all of the above, I am trying to give the Seestar the best possible chance. I systematically level it before starting anything, regardless of whether it asks for it or not. And if the moons up and bright, and say sat in the east, I’ll pick a target in the west.  I’ll try and place it where it is sheltered from the wind. 
 

I’m getting exhausted keep running outside, because every time I realise it’s not adding frames I go dashing out expecting to see clouds and, possibly, rain. And it’s most frustrating when the sky is crystal clear giving the Seestar no excuse. Right now I feel like sticking my boot under it 🤨

 

Oh, lastly, when I carefully pick the Seestar up, by gripping the tripod, I can feel a slight wobble in the ‘scope. I just assumed that this was a little play in the bearings, or gearing. Just wondering if this is par for the course, or if it should be totally free of any play?  I do screw it fairly firmly to the tripod, so it cannot be attributed to the way it is mounted. 
 

Does any of this ring a bell, or have I got a Friday afternoon special?
 

 

The only time i have the problem you first described is if i have mischieviously tried to goto Jupiter ... i then get the same massage about not having enough stars . I am 100% sure you do this , but please make sure to callibrate the mount (Compass ) and level the mount as accurately as you can . 

14 hours ago, Dave scutt said:

Just can't get a break, when I get a clear night I get photo bombed..

250 X 15.  70 gain.  Zwo duo band filter.

 

"Thats No Moon ... Its a space station" 

Got the Seestars out again this morning and after a little trial and error I managed to find the moon .love the moon when it’s in its crescent phase 

Another couple of favourites using the Seestars . 

I would just like to say that the photos ( except mine) are absolutely wonderful on this thread . 

9 minutes ago, StevieDvd said:

You should have told me that I'd have offered you £2 for it - twice it's current value.😀

its gone up now,... lol back up to its true value as there were clear skies this morning .😂

Just a quick pic taken before going off to work

10 minutes ago, Giles_B said:

A SeeStar for sale on ABS for £650. Same strapline as the ebay auction last week: "the only way you'll get one before xmas" - let's hope it's clear skies over the holidays!

Whilst i dont like the inflated prices people want to charge its up to all of us to "just say no" ( Now ive got that pesky Grange Hill song in my head) .My seestars was worth just £ 1 last night as it sat firmly in its case whilst cloud engulfed the sky 😂

24 minutes ago, M40 said:

Where are you guys getting these clear skies from???? I just about saw Jupiter through the mess last night, who are you paying?

Have to say those last two evenings were heaven sent . Back to normal today though ie wind and rain . Luck has run out ! 

Another good night for the Seestars as I (re)captured M81 & M82 and the beautiful Bubble nebular . 

Another session with the Seestars … I’m truly amazed at this little black box of goodness . The air was a drier than last night and I had a great time watching M81 & M82 materialise on the phone , followed by the Bubble nebula which was awesome. So , a different kind of viewing but immensely fun and enjoyable.

I've just found this thread and read it with interest . I think most of us if we are entirely honest will suffer some lack of enthusiasm . I definitely do when the weather is poor and makes me question whether its all worth it . But , it seems you have re-ignited your passion by using  wonderfully basic but brilliant equipment  in the form of binoculars . Really happy for you and wish you many clear skies 

7 hours ago, carastro said:

An impressive bit of kit for the money.  I have been looking at a few images that members of my astro group have produced and the ones above are very good.  

l think the only problem with this is going to be getting sucked into imaging for real and all it’s costs etc   Lol 

But certainly great to be able to get these sort of results with this kit. 

As a visual astronomer who craved being able to image but doesn’t have the patience to do so , the Dwarf and SeeStars are “my heaven”. I have spent ( and lost) so much money on this hobby already …. As my long suffering wife would agree . 😂. So I am immune to an astrophotography rig costing £1k + 

But you are right … these small scopes are so good that some might be tempted go down that rabbit hole