Phillips6549

Thanks Geoff I did use the M31 option to get there finally but its so faint under Bortle 8 skies that I wanted to get there step-wise via clearly visible and identifiable stars. M31 ends up being just a faint smudge and I need to be sure that the smudge I can see is the one in the sky rather than just one on my glasses! 👓 Mark

With several clear nights over the past week, I've been playing with the Synscan Pro app (Android) in conjunction with a Synscan WiFi adapter on an EQ3Pro mount. I have to say I'm generally quite impressed. Much cheaper than buying a traditional handset. However, this evening I was trying to "creep up" on the Andromeda Galaxy by star hopping towards it via Mirach, Mu Andromedae and Nu Andromedae. Mirach was no problem but the other stars were not available for selection in the app. Am I missing something? I couldn't find any way to enter an SAO number or any other catalogue number to find the minor stars. Is this a limitation of the app? Or the adapter perhaps? Or is it me? Clear skies, Mark.

Having now got the AZ Goto mount I can confirm two things: 1. The cables are different between the AZ Goto mount and the EQ3-Pro. AZ Goto has an RJ11 connector at the mount end while the EQ3-Pro uses an RJ45. 2. With the correct cable fitted my v4 Synscan Handset works perfectly with either mount. I have also confirmed that this hobby is a continual sink for cash as I've now ordered a Synscan WiFi Adapter as well! (Not sure which mount this will live on yet.) Clear skies Mark

Sounds like it should just work. I'll give it a try first with my handset and see what happens. The WiFi option also appeals. Thanks for the replies. Mark

Ok, so the selection between AZ and EQ is coded in the cable rather than in the mount itself. Thanks. Mark.

Hi all I've been offered a Skywatcher AZ go to mount (like this one https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/skywatcher-skymax-127-synscan-az-goto-telescope.html) However, it doesn't come with a handset. My question is, is there any difference between the AZ handset required for this mount and the EQ handset which I use with my EQ3 Pro mount? If not I can share my handset between the mounts as I'm unlikely to be using both mounts at the same time. Cheers, Mark.

Subaru I've noticed that sometimes the selection of stars shown even for a 2 star alignment is very meagre and often unviewable in badly light polluted skies. However, you can tell the system to offer you a full list of stars instead so you can pick your favourites or, at least, those which are visible. In my manual (attached) it's on page 29. Hope this helps. Clear skies Mark. Synscan_V4_Hand_Control_Manual_SSHCV4-F-161208V1-EN.pdf

Based in the suburbs of Birmingham (Bortle 8 ) I have no problems with seeing the different colours of the Albireo pair. LP does limit viewing the faint and the fuzzy but stars and planets in the darkest parts of the sky are fine. Never, it's fascinating whatever you can see! Clear skies. Mark

Hi Yash and welcome. You'll find a very helpful crowd here.

Will you guys stop ordering stuff please. We need some clear skies and that will not happen if the weather knows you've got new stuff to play with! Flaming June? Pah! 🌧️☁️

OK, so I found this thread. From the Polar Alignment Scope instructions posted in that thread, it seems that my reticle is indeed upside down. The instructions say to rotate the mount on the RA axis to bring 0 o'clock to the top of the field of view - not possible when its 180 degrees out as the mount can't rotate that far with the OTA installed. So I have removed the PA Scope, shimmed the threads with some cardboard and reinstalled it, now the reticle is in the correct orientation within a few degrees. All I need now is a clear night. Do let me know if you think I've done the wrong thing. Cheers Mark

Hi All When I use SynscanInit to help me to Polar Align, it shows me an image of Polaris against an Octans reticle (as fitted in my Polar Alignment Scope) as follows: However, when I look through my Polar Alignment Scope, the image I see is like this: It's upside down with respect to the SynscanInit view. So my questions are: 1. Is my Polar Alignment Scope fitted upside down in my mount (SW EQ3-Pro)? 2. If not, How do I read the information from SynscanInit? Should I position Polaris in the corresponding position, ie at the top of my view? Thanks in advance Mark P.S. Sorry for the huge pictures.

On a lighter note, could this be what's behind it? https://www.gocomics.com/brewsterrockit/2019/05/07

And ours, The Knowle Astronomical Society. www.knowleastro.org.uk First Monday of every month except August.

Seen it already! https://xkcd.com/2133/