Greymouser

You know, I thought about dipping my toes in astro photography in the beginning of my return to the hobby, was put off partly by the never ending expense, but more so, by some of the awesome images I see on here. This is just such an awesome image. It should inspire me, but in fact it just seems so far out of reach, it seems that there is little point. It is a really, really great image though, thank you for sharing.

Just noticed this thread, thought I would add my little thoughts. I can highly recommend these: https://www.militarymart.co.uk/british-army-reversable-insulated-trousers/ Second hand I know, but the pair I got was in very good condition, nothing a quick wash didn't sort out, just to be sure. You can also get the jacket to go with them. They are not at all waterproof, but that is not their purpose. They also have a zip at the bottom of the trouser, making them very, very easy to get on, even over boots. Add a pair of base layer trousers ( which would then make three layers, with your normal trousers, ) and Bob's your uncle. I think there are places online which sell them new, but I don't have the time to look at the moment. If its good enough for our army, should be good enough for the rest of us and at £16, they are hard to better.

Here you go Alan, knock yourself out with this website, concerning explosive events, see what effect a smaller fragment could do. https://www.purdue.edu/impactearth

I actually have three, a C5; C9.25, both at F10 mostly, but sometimes at F 6.3. I also have a ST102, which is F4.9. I also have a 150 P reflector, but that needs to be sold, so does not count. I have just been out and had a quick look at Saturn with the C5 and again found myself disappointed with the Nirvana, better view with the BCO 10mm, even with the x 2.25 barlow attached. I suspect I will get some more ES 62 degree eyepieces, to get closer to a complete range. The Telle Vue are on my wish list, but it is just not realistic budget wise, any time soon. No great hardship though, as the ES eyepieces are very good.

From what I have seen with the 10mm BCO, I have to agree. I consider the 10mm, classic ortho from Baader better than their 10 mm Hyperion at F10. I am also surprised at the hype that seems to surround the Nirvana eyepieces too, to be honest. I got the 7mm one and I was not too impressed and do not really get on with it. It might just be my eye, but I find the cheap, old Skywatcher long eye relief 5 mm better, as is the 10mm classic ortho. I have been impressed by the ES 62 degree eyepieces too, well, at least the 26 and 20mm ones I have so far. I am now trying to decide between, two or even three more of them, or a Telle Vue Delite. I am finding it a difficult choice though, I mean just the colour; the look and the what if, just speaks so loudly to my sub subconscious... I think I prefer the narrower field of view, certainly my wallet does!

Had another go tonight, until clouds rolled in that is. I tried the suggestion of putting the other encoder on too, which whilst it helped, it did not solve the problem. Then the app lost connection to the mount. Reconnecting, it then told me that Saturn was straight above! I wish! It seems as best I can tell, that the firmware version is: 3.18 A5, which was odd. Having so many horror stories, I am just so reluctant to try and update the firmware. Under the alignment section of the app was the following: ID=6378.9 CH=0.0' NP=0.0' MEL=0.0' MAZ=11.7' TILT= 6378.9 I have no idea if this is in anyway relevant, but I thought I would add it, just in case. To be honest I am getting fed up already with having to mess with this new mount and think an e mail is due to be sent to FLO. I just need/needed, to make sure the mount was faulty, before entering that route. I just do not have enough spare time to waste it, on trying to fettle a new mount.

Thanks, good stuff to try, when I next get some clear sky, which maybe tomorrow. ( If I haven't just jinxed it! ) One thing does occur to me though, I was using the pro version of the app, because I wanted to track the sun, which is not allowed on the other version of the app. The thing that popped into my head, is that this states that it is mainly for EQ mounts, though it does say alt az too, the other version of the app just says alt az. The Pro version does acknowledge that it is connected to an alt az, but I was wondering if this could be part of the problem, or maybe I am just at this point, grasping at straws? Anyway, I have downloaded the other version of the app and will try that too.

Thanks, but could someone please tell me how to find the current firmware installed? Also I would rather avoid trying to update the firmware, considering the many people who have had problems trying to do this and the fact that my two PC's both have hardwired network connection and no wifi. I do have a very old laptop running XP with wifi, which I would rather avoid. I will be honest, I do not really have the time nor much patience to be messing with this for too long, I have little doubt I will soon give in and either try to return it, or write the money off, which will be very annoying. Is it asking to much to expect a new mount to work first time? Obviously I am being naive here. Any other suggestions to save my sanity? Edit: Also looking at it, where do I find the firmware loader? I seem to be only find the loader for doing the hand controller...

To answer questions: Yes I think the clutch was tightened sufficiently, but will check tomorrow. ( I tried to be careful though, knowing I can be heavy handed. ) I intended to try again later today, but it has been a long day and even though there was unforecast clearness, I was/am just way too tired. I did in fact mean using the keys on the app. I have no idea what the firmware version is, nor am I sure where to find that information, but will, again, look tomorrow. I was using brand new batteries, which I checked the charge of beforehand: they were fine and Duracell. I am using it, or trying to, in Alt Az mode only and not even thinking of the other at the moment. My intention was to use decent AA batteries to start with, just to get a taste as it were, then get a proper battery. I do notice that in the manual it claims that the lead needs to be centre positive, but FLO states tip positive, a contradiction that is indicative, imo, of a very poor manual.

Yes I put the correct latitude and longitude in, so not that. I am using the app ( SynScan Pro 1.17 ) and it was not letting click on the confirmation button. Yes I was using up and right as the last movements.

I was not sure which section to put this, but this seemed favourite, because it is such an obvious starter mount, and I have just got it and only now found time to give it a whirl! It seems to me that there are a lot of people who have problems with this mount, at least to start with, is there a problem with them, or is it just the awful manual that is supplied? Or perhaps just stupid people like me? Anyway, hopefully my issues will be sorted, without a return to FLO. Last night was the first since receiving the mount, that I had a clear night that coincided with me having time to give it a go. ( Since getting the adapter for my Horizon tripod, because the lightweight one I bought is not up to the job. ) So I read the online synscan manual linked elsewhere here, and started to give it a go. I chose Altair as a first alignment star, which seemed a good choice considering the position of it. Problem number one, it refused to accept that I was pointing at it, in fact it seemed to be assuming that it was in fact far way away from where I could in fact see it: Almost vertically downwards! I continued to have similar problems, and after about an hour and a half, gave up as clouds were rolling and and I was beginning to ache. Fast forward to this morning, I thought I would try again, this time in tracking the sun, ( this is one of the purposes of getting this mount. ) I got my spirit level and compass out, just to make sure I was as accurate as possible with the starting position, then proceeded to try to align with the sun. This time the mount judged the azimuth position of the sun about right, but put the altitude about 30 degrees higher that it was in fact, if you see what I mean. I then out of curiosity tried to GOTO the moon and again the azimuth seemed to be about right, but the altitude was again too high. Lastly out of curiosity, I tried for Dubhe, which I obviously could not see, but it went to the right Azimuth, approximately, but this time the altitude was below where the Sky Safari software put it! Any ideas anyone? What am I doing wrong and is there a way to avoid a return? It is now of course raining, but there is a bit of clearness forecast for later, so I will probably get the 102 ST out with the wedge and have a go for the sun again. I have no idea when I will get the chance at the night sky again.

Well, tonight I had another little session, hoping to look at Jupiter, but I missed the small chance I get: it had disappeared behind next doors house, so had to settle for Saturn. I used the C5 on the manual Horizon tripod, for a quick grab and go, which turned out very nice thank you! I know it has been said many times, but does this planet ever get boring to look at? I only intended a quick 20 minutes or so, ended up about an hour and a half! I certainly found Titan and think I may have seen Enceladus and Rhea, maybe Dione. but I am far from sure as the view was far from consistent. I also got hints of belts on the planet, but again I find myself doubting what I saw, I need more experience and cannot wait until future years. I used several eyepieces, but found the best views came with the Baader Classic Ortho 10mm and the 20 mm ES 62 degree. I did try the Nirvanna 7 mm, but the seeing was just not up to it really. I find the BCO 10mm to be a better eyepiece than the 10mm Hyperion, even though it is cheaper. I have been disappointed with the Hyperion and the Nirvana, as I find the 62 degree ES eyepieces ( and BCO, ) to be quite a lot sharper, for want of a better word. I think I will have to expand my collection. To be honest I find the OVL Extra flat to be better than the Nirvana too. perhaps my eye just prefers the narrower field of view... Anyway a great little session and I found myself tempted to get the Evolution out, but my back said no. There was an awful lot of dew too tonight, which was annoying, but it made me double check everything afterwards, which was useful, as I found a very small patch of ' something ' on the corrector plate. It is only about 2mm across, but I think it maybe needs attention, before it grows more. Now I am feeling re energised and am thinking of hefting the Evolution out for the next clear night, perhaps alongside my AZGTi, as soon as I get the tripod adapter. Thanks again everyone, me backing off a little bit has certainly helped.

Yes, congratulations for the award for a very good picture. A bit shocking that it only won picture for the day, because in my honest opinion, it is one of the best I have seen this year, even if you consider it involved a lot of luck, ( assuming you did not have the Pelicans trained! 🤨😉 ) it also involved a lot of skill.

Good idea. MK I eyeballs and little monocular it was then, whilst lying very comfortably on a lounger, gazing up at Cygnus, ( through the wispy stuff and despite the light pollution, in my Bortle 6 skies, ) almost directly above! Only problem was the dew that was gathering on the cushion of the lounger and the mosquitoes that came to feed on me! ( didn't dare to risk a glass of anything. ) I did try my cheap Bresser spotting scope, which is very light on the little tripod, but that just reminded me how poor it was, maybe off to charity with that. Thank you everyone with your help with my little wobble and whilst a good post @John, luckily I did not have to go quite so far to get a little reset. The thing is it would have been nice to sleep out there, ( with a mossie net! ) or so I thought, until someone close by set a large firework off! I nearly pooped and pity the Wood Pigeon that sounded like it fell off its perch, in a nearby tree and flew off! I wouldn't mind, but it is still August! Relaxed again, isn't the universe wonderful? Edit @John Incidentally, I just wondered, how many times you have posted that or very similar on this forum?

As the title says, can you help me motivate myself to set up now for a little session later please. I know I should not need it, but I do. I am stressed out; tired; my back; shoulder and knee ache like mad. but the forecast is for a good clear spell, with just a little risk of light cloud. Which is unfortunately, the same as it was last night, then it decided to get lots of high thin cloud, quickly followed by misty filth! Looking outside now, I can see thin wispy high cloud and already a hint of mist, so my motivation is disappearing fast, which is not further helped by a terrible southern horizon, which allows me to see little below 20 degrees. I am struggling.

Good price, but me being a cheapskate, I got an Army surplus reversible jacket, which is also very, very warm, but not waterproof, which shouldn't matter in the winter whilst observing. £ 25 was good too, as are the same type insulated trousers. https://www.militarymart.co.uk/british-army-reversable-insulated-jacket/ @Helen They look like camera film cases and I seem to remember you mentioning something about launching home made rockets at a star party? A link? Anyway, I got something in the post today too, which was nice: Didn't get the cat with the postie, she is the boss and refused to move! The eyepiece is an ES 62 degree 20mm; the plastic bag is an ADM improvement for the AZ-GTi and I have no idea what the wire is for, ( came with the mount ) as I am thick and the manual is poor. The box did not come with the usual " May contain clouds " sticker, which may have been good, because as you can see the sun is out! However the AZ-GTi did come with it's own wildlife from Exeter: A live ant! Does this ant replace the stickers now? It was not in the main box, but oddly in with the AZ-GTi, no idea what's going on there, nor how it survived posting!

I have no intention of doing so, yet. Though now I have put my back out too and am having to go to see an ophthalmologist, about my eyes and a potential bad problem, which is a worry, but I am doing my best to remain optimistic. I have already seen a physio once, but have been waiting since the end of June for a follow up appointment, which is enough said on that matter or I will fall foul of the forum rules concerning politics... All that said, I have just bought and received today, some more Astro gear so, you know, adapt and move on eh?

As do I. Nostalgia is king maybe? Things seemed simpler certainly; though I guess part of that is I was only young in the 70's and 80's...

So following another thread, where someone mentioned old setups from when they were a child and someone, ( mentioning no names, ) mentioned still having theirs in the loft, I thought I would dig out my old first scope! Here it is in all it's glory, such as it is. It is a Greenkat 50mm objective, 600 mm focal length refractor. It was cheap back then but the best my parents could afford, so there you go. It was not the best, but got a lot of use, along with my Hamlyn guide. It was back in the late 70's I guess and everything was better then! Not least the lesser light pollution, even in bright Blackpool! I can, of course vividly remember my first view of Jupiter and Saturn through this. I was blown away, which I bet you have never heard before eh? Even though it was only a tiny scope, the views were decent and more than enough to get me hooked on Astronomy. I remember spending hours trying to find DSOs, without that much success, but still it was the trying which was important eh? Anyway, back to the story. Out it came with the intention of looking at Jupiter and Saturn again, when this happened: Even though clearness was forecast. Ah well, I will try again another night to see if it is still at all usable, certainly I am unable to throw this away, so even if not, I will make up a story for my wife to justify keeping such an old scope! ( It is still half decent terrestrially. )

Hi Patrick, welcome to this very useful forum.

Not quite in the same league, but this arrived in the post today for me: This is to replace the Helios binoculars that I am finding increasingly hard and uncomfortable to use. It has what is described as: " Extra-low Dispersion glass for optimum clarity, " which is nice... The lens has a green tint to it, but then again so do my Helios Binos. The image as seen is sharper/better than the Binos I would say, but I will know better when I get a little clear sky. It is 10 x 42. It is also much lighter than the Binos at around 325grammes. A distinct improvement, at least as far as terrestrial use in concerned and better than the very cheap Chinese monocular I used to have.

Sorry if you have already said, but which tripod is that Alan? I have been looking at this, after a tip from Littleguy80: 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey tripod. Not the one he has, but similar.

I have just checked out your thread over there and am impressed, great travel philosophy too! It would be way out of my price range though, for now, though I fully intend to go down the TV route at some point, wife allowing! I had in fact pretty much ruled out the hummingbird, the focal length is tiny and I can imagine it being pretty much pointless looking at the stars, or planets; my intended ED monocular would be just as good, maybe better considering your comments about a poor diagonal. I have also now ruled out the tiny might mak, there are just too many bad reviews that question both the design and the quality control, it seems it is a lottery if you get a decent one or not. It is not expensive, so the risk is not that great, but why potentially throw away£ 100?

I like the Celestron Humingbird, but wonder what the focal length is. To be honest I think it will be the ED monocular, which will replace the binoculars I find difficult now and maybe a mighty mak 60, which I didn't even know existed before, to supplement it. I think the tripod that JeremyS pointed out looks good too. Thanks all.

Does that mean that the smaller focal length eyepieces are unlikely to find focus then? Disappointing. Never mind, thank you for looking and trying. @AdeKing Thank you for that suggestion, I guess the idea is similar to using the 50ED. When I looked, at the finders with a built in prism/diagonal, I found it difficult to decide which would accept any eyepiece and which only a fixed one. There are many different makers offering such, but all are a little ambiguous for a stupid person like me. It seems odd to me that no telescope producer is offering a suitable, specific scope, for the ultra light market. ( Except for the Borg! Always assuming you can find one and afford it! 😜 ) There seems to be many people who want such and as ever the choice needs to be larger than what is currently available. Perhaps most people use finders of one sort or another. It is quite a difficult choice, for me, but My C5 covers a lot of bases, but I want lighter and pocket size, so I guess the ED monocular it is. Then I just need to decide if I should supplement it with a 600g mighty mak. There are worst problems to face. One last question: Anyone suggest a decent light monopod?