Greymouser

I would also suggest the possibility of a very long focal length achromatic refractor, such as: https://www.astroshop.eu/telescopes/bresser-telescope-ac-102-1350-messier-hexafoc-ota/p,54409 I have one and initial trials suggest there is no CA at all. It has a good focuser and only weighs about 5 KG. It is long however, but my Skytee easily handles it. As does my AZEQ5. On the moon it is very sharp and I look forward to trying it on Jupiter et al soon.

I am afraid I really cannot agree. The focuser may not be the best, but it is very good, what is more it is very easy to upgrade via the Bresser two sped upgrade kit: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/bresser-telescopes/bresser-messier-1-10-gear-set-for-hex-focuser.html It is easy to fit and I have one off another inferior Bresser scope. I have not put it on the F13.2, because in my opinion, ( so far... ) it just does not need it. I took it to very high magnitude on the moon, without any problem focusing at all. It just snapped into focus and stayed there. Certainly better than the other shorter focus Bresser. As for the mount, yes a driven, even computerised mount is better, but no really needed for the moon and planets, imo. My AZ EQ5 carries it easily. I will be using the Skytee this summer, to avoid any faffing, just a quick set up and off I go! At least with this scope.

If you are mostly interested in the moon and planets, I have two things to advise/say. Firstly by quite a margin the best view of Jupiter I had last year was with my Skywatcher ED80, sat on a photo tripod. This even though I have a Celestron SCT 9.25. The detail was quite amazing and not that high a power either. In fact perhaps the best I have ever seen. Secondly, try to not get into the spiral of greater aperture is always best, not even ED being always the best. I have now got a Bresser achromat, F13.2, which I am very much looking forward to training on the planets this summer. It is truly superb on the moon, sharp as a tack, no trace of CA at all. I mount it on my Skytee, which is not that dear either and very easy for the planets or the moon. I do believe they can vary in quality, but I have been lucky and got a very good one at a very good price. ( Second hand. ) https://www.astroshop.eu/telescopes/bresser-telescope-ac-102-1350-messier-hexafoc-ota/p,54409 https://www.firstlightoptics.com/alt-azimuth-astronomy-mounts/skywatcher-skytee-2-alt-azimuth-mount.html Might be worth a punt, cos if you get lucky too, you will not be disappointed. One more thing, be aware that pretty much no matter what the brand, there is always the chance of buying a lemon, if you see what I mean...

Hi and welcome to SGL.

Welcome to the forum Peter, hope you continue to find it helpful and better yet help others.

Hi welcome to the forum. Great setup and great place too!

Welcome to the forum. I started looking out in the universe, some 42 years ago or so and still say I am mostly ignorant of all things astronomical, it is just so huge, both as a science and in actual physical fact!

A warm welcome to a great forum.

Hi Greg, welcome to the forum. Ask any questions, most will get answered on this great forum and there is no such thing as a stupid question.

I would suggest it depends on your budget. If it can stretch to it, I would suggest a zoom eyepiece, this from FLO is good and works with a barlow too: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/ovl-eyepieces/hyperflex-9-27mm-zoom.html You can get cheaper, the Svbony one is decent too, also barlows well. Any zoom eyepiece, particularly with a barlow effectively gives you many eyepieces in one. A zoom also makes grab and go much easier, as it reduces what you have to carry. The BST Starguider eyepieces are all good and come with rave reviews. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/bst-starguider-eyepieces.html I am afraid, as ever, it all come down to money and what you are willing to pay.

Yes, cats are essential too... ( Mine would get very jealous though, I am sure. )

Can I come and camp in your garden please?

I have an Evolution, in my case the 9.25, which whilst heavier than your C8, it is very similar. The mount is superb, tracking and goto in my experience are without fault. I also see no reason not to remove the OTA from the mount, I always do. First out goes the tripod, levelled, then out goes the mount, which is easy attached, again levelled, then out goes the OTA. There has never been a problem and Celestron do not advise keeping the OTA and mount attached, as far as I now, with the Evolution. Obviously the reverse to bring it all back in. I have to admit to being very nervous, regarding the OTA. because it is now at my limit because of health issues, but it is well worth the effort, when I can find the time. ( Even if it has been quite a while. ) I am afraid I now more often use a C5 on an AZGTi, just so grab and go! As for the steps and them being a nuisance, I would suggest a ready made ramp, if you cannot be bothered to make your own, they are available at mobility stores, come at many various prices. They are even available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/NRS-Healthcare-Mobility-Care-Wheelchair/dp/B006J7HJV6/ref=sr_1_57?crid=1MIJ1D4U69JCX&keywords=ramp&qid=1658348229&sprefix=ramp%2Caps%2C70&sr=8-57 There are many cheaper than that example, just shop around, because I have found that some of the mobility stores, take the proverbial, knowing they often have their clients over a barrel, so to speak. I speak from experience, having a disabled wife.

First, hi Hazel and welcome to the forum. I would agree it would be a satellite and suggest you try one of the several satellite tracking apps out there. Orbitrack used to be good, but it now seems to have gone to pot. There are several on Google and I would presume on Apple if that floats your boat. Worth a try anyway, especially if you can find a free one.

Not sure I can agree really, if there was a will there would be a way. The trade deficit could be turned round very quickly, if it became too expensive to import from the likes of China etc. Simplistic I know, but the world just does not need goods being transported so far, when they can be produced locally with the right motivation. This heat wave is the obvious example of why it needs to stop. It is just not sustainable. Neither is this conversation either as it is in danger of drifting into politics, sorry.

Bloody hell those to you may be just odds and ends, but to me if I dared try to get them, it would be a divorce! 😜

It was actually a little cooler here today at a max noticed of 34.5 and a humidity of around 35%. Yesterday it got as high as 36.1, but with a humidity of 15% at that time. Either day was way too hot for me to even consider solar observing. Lucky in a way, because I was way too busy to do so anyway, so no need to make the decision. I am seriously considering, ( again, ) a move to the Isle of Lewis or Shetland. ( Just a shame that it is very unlikely. )

Hello and welcome, but beware it is a very expensive and slippery slope, that dark art! ( I am at the top of that slope too, but so far hold my footing! )

Couldn't agree more, but I do hope the lessons get learned by those who lead us, because the cynic in me, thinks it may not happen on past performance.

Hi and welcome to this great forum, welcome back to astronomy too. it won't take you long to get back into it.

Tiredness can be a real PITA, can't it? You do have a wonderful view down there, but I have to ask, why does someone seem to have flood lighted a tree?

Hello and welcome to the best astro forum. Interesting post too!

I am sure it has been asked before, but I find only negative comments. Is the focuser on these really that bad? If so can an alternative/replacement still be found? I do want to go beyond white light observing, but doubt I will get to 60mm money.

Thank you, I find that interesting and will give it some proper attention when I find the time.

I have a svbony 8 - 24 zoom, which whilst maybe not the best, it is decent enough and barlows very well, with the little Baader x 2.25 zoom. In fact the barlow improves it. Used it at F10 and F6.3. I also have a Hyperflex 9-27mm Zoom, which is better and also goes well with a barlow. I recognise none of the faults that Don states in either of these. Though do not go below F6. Here: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/ovl-eyepieces/hyperflex-9-27mm-zoom.html The 7.2 - 21.5 also gets a good press, also barlows well. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/ovl-eyepieces/hyperflex-72mm-215mm-eyepiece.html From what I have seen and been told, Zooms do not suit everyone, so a cheaper one to try out can only be a good idea, at least to see if they suit you. Most people tend to use the zoom, to zero in on the focal length that suits the conditions, then go over to the superior fixed eyepiece of that length. I quite like sticking with the zoom, just for that grab and go simplicity.