Greymouser

Welcome to you both, to the forum. A very dark sky can have that effect I would say...

Having seen a post by @Alan White, in the what the postman brought thread, about a new headtorch he had got, my curiosity was aroused. I have always loved torches, since being a small child, so it did not take too much.

I was expecting an expensive bit of kit, but it was not, which was good, but his torch when I looked it up on Amazon, led me to another from the same manufacturer: Black Diamond Storm This is a little more expensive, but what caught my eye was the fact that:

Quote

Functions: full power for high beam and Close range, dimming function, flashing mode, night vision mode (Red, green and blue) and lock mode

That night vision mode in red; green; blue, brought back a memory of a comment from an ex Royal Marine, who once told me, back in the day, that red was not very good for night vision, nor for being discrete. I am sure he said they used blue light at very low levels for very great discretion. I decided to look further, via Google and came across this article: ( Found via Amazon I think. )  Go For The Green It seems to say that red light being best, is a myth.

Quote

There is widespread astronomical mythology concerning the "correct", "proper", or "best" type of light to use while observing. Conventional wisdom dictates that your chosen, appropriate, source of illumination should be primarily red although spectrally pure red is even better. The conventional wisdom is wrong! Millions of observers are unnecessarily compromising their night vision each time they use a red light to read their charts. Why? Because monochromatic red light must be many times brighter than polychromatic green before we can see with it.

Interesting. Was that Royal Marine right all along? Only one way to find out I guess, try the green light and see!

So what do you all think? Worth a try or is it just me finding an excuse to buy another torch? ( Not that I really need excuses... )

Happy birthday Stu.

Got any plans? Other than trying your new tripod out of course. Hope you have a decent weather to properly christen the tripod... 

12 hours ago, banjaxed said:

the only thing that works for me is USB heated hand warmers

I didn't even know such a thing existed. I had considered digging out the old fashioned ones ( that you light the charcoal for? ) that I have lying about somewhere, but otherwise would do as Alan does in future. Perhaps a combination approach is needed.

Yes, a very interesting thread, thank you for posting. 

You do indeed have no fear in modifying scopes do you? I doubt I would have the confidence unfortunately. Certainly plenty of food  for thought though. Have you ever thought of offering your services out to others, for money etc.?

It is too cold, or maybe my tolerance for the cold has got less as I have got older. Certainly I used to go night fishing when the temperature would be -10, or worse, seemed to cope fine, but of course that was 30+ years ago!

Tonight though is super clear as was forecast, so I had to have a little look, didn't I? I have done my back in again a little bit and didn't plan ahead anyway, so did not have any big optics handy, so thought I would just go out for 40 minutes or so, with my eyeballs and my little ED monocular. I only had four layers on, with a hat and thin inner gloves, so only expected to last a short while, which turned out to be the case. My fingers are still slightly numb! But my little 8x42 monocular got me a glimpse of M42 and the Pleiades, so me is happy. ( My super light tripod helps here too. )

But it is cold out there, not sure how cold, but too cold for my fingers, with the thin gloves on. So what do you people do to keep fingers warm, but still fairly dexterous? I can easily keep them warm, just multiple layers of good gloves, but then of course I lose all dexterity, don't want to risk dropping an eyepiece. Is there a solution?

Still a good little session though, the views tonight sort of reminded me of back 40+ years ago, looking through my first scope a cheap 50mm one, which I still have by the way! One good thing about the cold, it makes you appreciate the warmth of the house!

The only thing I can say about this mount, is that be aware that there may be some quality control issues with it. I am on my second one, the first I could not get to work at all, the second is temperamental, to say the best. I have only used via the app, in AZ mode, but except for the great service from FLO, I think I regret getting it. I am far from the only one who has had issues either it seems, if what I have read here and elsewhere is true. If you get lucky and get a good one, it seems it is a fab mount. I intend to persevere with it though, because it just ticks so many boxes. With this second one however the tracking is excellent.

I use it with my C5 and it copes well with the weight of that, which to be fair is not that great.

Hi and welcome to the forum. Good choice joining.

6 minutes ago, JamesF said:

Some people just want to get to the destination.  Others enjoy the journey just as much, sometimes even more so.  I don't know why that is, but it seems to be true.  Perhaps it relates to a sense of achievement.  For me, doing something as much as possible myself, whether it's astrophotography or beer-making or turning animals and seeds into food or building or whatever gives me more pleasure than "outsourcing" bits of it to others.  Obviously I have to accept that sometimes doing stuff myself isn't practical for all sorts of reasons, but if I'm doing something purely for the enjoyment of it then I like to be as involved in the process as possible.  In that sense I guess there's a kind of "ownership", but perhaps not solely of the "property" kind.

James

OK, I can get that, but it does seem to me that there is a certain amount of ' snobishness ' about the whole thing. From what I read, most of the time spent is about post data collection too. Of course I do understand to a good extent, or I would not have ever bought any equipment, even for observing, just surfed my way to observing astronomy.

Edit: Indeed the food analogy you offer is a good one, the best meal I ever ate was one where I had grown al the vegetables and caught the fish, very satisfying.

19 hours ago, Star101 said:

I have an account with iTelescope. The images I take using their equipment are my images by law.

You see this is what I mean, about not really getting this whole ownership thing about an image of a natural object. Does it really make any difference if you produced that image in your backyard, or via someone else's equipment, rented for the purpose? I just cannot see any difference at all. No one actually owns the object imaged itself.

I think I have not been clear enough, again.

I don't regret any of it. It is not so much the amount spent, ( though that is shocking enough to be honest... ) but the fact that it has sort of crept on me, somehow I just never realised how large the amount had got. What is more, as is often said here on this forum, I still have so many other things to try, am far, far from a perfect set up. Will it ever end? No of course not, at least not until they nail me shut in a box!

I suppose I was guilt tripping myself over the cost, both past and future, especially as I keep considering taking a step into the dark side: imaging. I know people say, it doesn't need to be expensive, that you can just make do with what you can afford, but from what I can see from everyone's experience here, it is a very slippery slope. Therefore after seeing adverts for remote imaging, I just considered that option.

As for " owning " an image, does anyone really own that image, whether it is produced in their backyard, or remotely in the Canary islands? To me there is not that much difference, perhaps. The universe is everyone's, no one owns it eh? 

@Rob Sellent You are right of course, there is definitely an element of " keeping up with the Joneses " with this hobby, especially this forum. This forum is a great tool for the likes of FLO! One big advert, not that I begrudge them their business, they are brilliant, the best, just that I think we all could benefit from taking a step back, consider the law of diminishing returns more perhaps. The difference  between my most expensive eyepiece and the cheapest, is not in fact that far at all!

So I was looking at the progress of a recent order I had made, for a couple of items that I had ordered, looked at my orders from that supplier and added up how much I have spent on astro gear in the last 15 months or so. I will not post the total, but it was more that I had thought and without a doubt a moment. OK, so it is done, no worries, I suppose, but it set me to thinking, was it well spent? I would not spend it that way now, my choices would be different, but after more thinking, would I even buy it all at all? I started along that train of thought after trying to watch the transit of Mercury, with my own gear, failing due to the awful weather and my inability to travel to a better site, but watching it online, through someone else's gear. Well I saw it at least, but what with one of the sites pushing their own telescopes for use remotely, by anyone wishing to purchase time on them, it set me to thinking: is that the better route?

I counted up the number of opportunities I have had the last 15 months of observing, from this wet isle, it is not a huge number. I cannot help wondering if it is better considering the weather in the UK, if observing remotely, with a telescope on the Canary islands, ( or elsewhere, ) is much more effective? Not only cost per minute of observing, but the results gained...

So, does anyone have any experience of using someone else's gear remotely? Is it worth it? Or is it just faking it?

Dairy production can be very cruel, the cows are often only just short of completely insane. So a farmer once explained to me, as well as showing me some of the very alarming evidence. I soon after stopped eating dairy. He also said, to contradict himself, they only really needed to be feared if they had just had a calf. He also said that cows were far more dangerous than bulls, unless they were in a field with cows!

On the subject of Ticks, this Danish fella, living in Russia, gives some useful information on avoiding them. It seems that he is inundated by them out there. 

10 hours ago, Ben the Ignorant said:

Had to recenter the secondary and the plate but now it's very sharp

I bet that was fun...

I have considered the 6" IOptron Photron Ritchey-Chrétien, to replace the C5, but think I might well regret it as my C5 is very good. I would probably find a replacement for the C9.25 first. 

Also the Altair 80ED-R has a rack and pinion, so that is decent. 

22 hours ago, lux eterna said:

I intend to cut a hole where the feet are supposed to be, for the head. Then cut the length so I can walk around without stepping on it, and also cut two holes to allow for sticking out the arms. This should be very quick and easy to put on and off.

No need to cut a normal sleeping bag, there is a solution ready made from the world of surplus: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Original-German-Sleeping-Sleeves-Removable/dp/B007JGBUPC

That is out of stock, but there is a variant available at Military Mart: https://www.militarymart.co.uk/austrian-sniper-sleeping-bag/

As long as you do not mind a used condition, it is hard to not take a punt at that price. I feel sure if you look around there will be other options too.

Thanks for that. I am aware about the drop down in brightness and reach with the loss of aperture, but think I will cope with it. I also have a C5 and a C9.25 and to be honest prefer using the C5 as the contrast appears to be better. I have even considered even smaller options, ( 60mm? ) having a certain nostalgia towards the memory of my first scope, that I still have, but have not used in ages. I am also aware that the Skywatcher 80ED is a KG heavier than the TS one. Of course there are plenty of other options too, which is not that much of a help really. The Altair 80 ED-R is even lighter for instance.

The urge to get a decent refractor, will not stop here either, my intention was to get a 100mm refractor, but considered that came too close to my C5 in performance. Now my plan is to get a smaller one and in the future, perhaps far distant, get a 120mm one, or around that. Then maybe I will have a group of instruments to cover all bases and stop looking for that perfect scope.

Then again, does the search ever stop?

On my C9.25 I have a dew shield with a built in heater and it is, it appears in contact with the edge, of the corrector plate. Therefore I would say under the dew shield.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dew-prevention/astrozap-flexi-heat-dew-shields.html

They do one for all the SCT it seems, but they are not that cheap.

I am considering a new, small refractor, to replace the 102 Star Travel that I have. Considering it needs to be portable, have considered the ED72 or 80, but find myself unsure which to go for. So is the TS Optics version better than the Skywatcher version, is the extra expense justified? I read that the TS is a better engineered option, as well as being easier to to transport, but what about the optics? I will be only using it for visual, at least for now.

The Skywatcher scopes are easy to find, so I will not link them, but here are the two TS options:

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p8637_TS-Optics-PHOTOLINE-80-mm-f-7-FPL53-Apo---2-5--Focuser.html
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p8866_TS-Optics-Photoline-72mm-f-6-FPL53-Apo---2-5--Zahntrieb-Okularauszug.html

All opinions appreciated, thanks.

I will add one thing the AZGTi mount can have issues regarding how good it is out of the box. I have had issues and am on my second one, thanks to the great service from FLO, I have not had to give in. I am not the only one to have issues either, I suspect that there are quality control issues from Skywatcher and this mount.

I have finally found time and a cloud gap, to have another go with this mount, so thought I would update this little thread.

I set it up again as per instructions, did a single star alignment, which I am sure is less than perfect, but I was very tired and do not have a great deal of time. Anyway, proceeded to get it to goto another star, where it pointed to the ground! I then aligned properly on the star, confirmed and it told me it was successful. Sent it to Polaris and it was not too far out, in the field of view, but not perfect. Then to test of I sent it to Altair, it was quite a bit out, but manageable. Then back to Polaris and it was much better, almost centre. Back to Altair and again quite a bit off and it was now not tracking, at all. This time as I altered and centred on Altair, the direction buttons got an odd reaction out of the mount, taping up and it went up and a little to the left. Then it started to make a slight tapping noise, but now the tracking was at least partly working! I now remembered to engage the second encoder, doh! I then sent it to find M31, but it was no where near, this is an easy target, but no. I then sent it back to Polaris, just to see how far off it really was. It found Polaris almost dead centre and now the tapping was gone! This is starting to annoy now, again.

I tried several different variations on the theme, but got similar results, to say the least intermittent success. I decided to give in, pack up and consider my options.

As I have said this is my second version of this mount, FLO have been great and replaced my first one they sent out, that one I could get working not at all. This on is better, but best described as temperamental. I do not know what to do next, but am beginning ( again,  ) to regret buying this mount, Skywatcher seem to have issues with this mount, perhaps quality control issues. I am considering if it is a power issue, but surely the Duracell AA batteries should last beyond one session?

I have thought about getting a Lithium power supply, indeed fully intended to after testing, for what seemed like a great mount, ( before purchase ) also intended to get the hand controller for it. Now however, I am wondering if it would just be good money after bad? Any ideas people?

Edit: Just to add, I was using the Pro version and in AZ mode, it makes no difference which though, the same results. I am running the app on an android tablet and I have tried only one side of the mount as it is AZ mode, but have tried to reverse it, as in upside down even!  Also FLO replaced the faulty extension tube, they are great!

I used to live in Blackpool and the illuminations are not year round, nor do they stay on all night, but turn off at 11 or 12 pm, can't remember which. Where I lived one direction was a wash out, but the general effect was better than what I have here now. It is Bortle 5 there, it is Bortle 6 here and again, terrible in one direction.

I am defending neither Blackpool, nor light pollution, just pointing out, it is rarely as straight forward as people suspect. Personally, I hope for and dream of the power cuts I remember from the 70's, I loved them...

1 hour ago, John said:

This UK supplier has something very similar on sale currently:

That looks very similar to one I saw from Orion Optics, but theirs is more expensive. Thanks for that John, you might have solved my need for something of a stop gap measure.

https://www.orionoptics.co.uk/MOUNTS/alt-azmount.html

5 hours ago, hadyn42 said:

Have you removed the three thumbscrews completely as I had to remove  them to take of my mount head? You will probably find that these screws are not actually the same length!

I have indeed taken out the screws completely and still the top does not come off. They appear to be the same length. There is something rattling about inside, the top will not shift and the top male screw is recessed. I am having little luck with this mount so far.

8 hours ago, vlaiv said:

If you were in the open (as one would be for observing session) - you really need not worry about any effects of odd spliff being lit up near by.

There is simply no chance it will have any sort of effect on you - both on your health or state of mind. Concentration of "active matter" reaching you is basically 0 (fact that you can smell it tells something about how sensitive our nose is - it needs very low concentration of molecules that we identify as smell to smell something, and active molecules (THC / CBD) are not the ones you smell).

Unless you are bothered by smell of it, or have any other reason to retire from observing.

No, I know there is next to zero chance of any effect, even from the very strong cannabis she smokes. The issue is that it has the nickname: " Skunk, " for a very good reason, she smokes them about four metres from my back door. I would have noticed by now if there was any effect. There is a group about 50 metres from my back door who smoke it too, the smell is very clear to notice and truly foul! Your nose really does not need to be particularly sensitive and it can be smelled even further away. I do not care about drug use, in any form, but do so when it is anti social. Indeed there is a very good case to legalise drugs. 

10 hours ago, banjaxed said:

There are 3 retaining thumbscrews at the top of the pillar which when loosened allows the removal of the top fixing which is then attached to the mount. I would recommend a rubber washer between the top fixing and the mount as mine has a habit of coming loose.

Thank you for that. Yes I loosened the three thumbscrews, then attempted to remove the top, but it just turned then stopped. It did not come off, even after completely removing the thumbscrews. It seemed to jamb, no more movement. 🤔 

Edit: I was considering trying some WD40, to see if that helps, but though I would give Rob at FLO more time to answer my questions.