Jump to content

SkySurveyBanner.jpg.21855908fce40597655603b6c9af720d.jpg

Skywatcher130

Members
  • Posts

    58
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by Skywatcher130

  1. Some good advice there Geoff. There's a few tips that I think I will try with my little Skywatcher Go-to as it's not been as accurate as it has been previously. Think my power pack may need replacing too.
  2. I did this last year as a newbie. It was very enjoyable. I might do it again this year with my son who has an keen interest. Nice to have a 'plan' to follow. I have a free Sky at Night subscription through the RB digital app from Staffordshire libraries. Most councils used to offer similar things, well used to before all the cuts that is!
  3. Thanks for the replies. I guess I should just try it and see how it goes. Perhaps I should have just asked if any SGL members are also members of Rosliston Astronomy Group which is my nearest club. It looks like they are at a science day at the forestry centre where they hold their meetings next month so I might go along and have a chat. Thing is, I don't know anyone else with a telescope so it would be great to meet like-minded people and hopefully get to have a look through a bigger set up than mine 😀
  4. How many of you are members of an astronomy club or society, and how welcoming to new members do they tend to be? I like the idea of joining like-minded people and getting away from my light polluted back garden but I'm a bit nervous about taking the plunge to be honest 😊
  5. Illuminated reticle eyepiece, for enhancing my go-to accuracy 😀
  6. For future use you could try hanging up one of those decoy wasp's nests. Usually available from discount stores for a pound or two. The theory is that wasps won't make a nest close to an existing one and will find an alternative location. It could certainly work for an enclosed space such as a shed or observatory. Deb
  7. Welcome to SGL, it's a really friendly site. Have to say, WOW what fantastic images. If they were mine I'd have them printed onto canvas and up on the living room walls ? Deb
  8. Earlier this year for me, February I think. I wasn't expecting to see all four moons so that was an extra bonus. I still haven't seen Saturn yet due to neighbour's trees but I have calculated using Star Walk app that by this time next month it should be clearly in sight, can't wait! Deb
  9. I'm across the river from you ? and would have to agree that the sky has been pretty poor lately. As per my previous post, we are supposed to be Bortle 5 here but I am not sure how accurate that is, comparing it to our dark sky location up North - Bortle 4, which is markedly different in sky quality. I did get out for a bit last night, wasn't forecast clear skies so good job I'm always 'skywatching', lol. One thing I have come to realise is that I should probably make a list of things I would like to look at prior to setting up, make better use of what little chances we do get at the moment. Deb
  10. @Stu supposedly Bortle 5 but not sure that's true as there's been a lot of new builds in our area the last few years. We ended up going up to our 'dark sky' location on Friday which is Bortle 4. By comparison it's vastly different in darkness. Put it this way, there were so many stars out I struggled to make out The Plough ?
  11. I will miss it too. In my south-facing garden it's been looming large for as long as I've had my telescope - I have used it to star-hop, get my bearings around the night sky, and of course, wonder at the obligatory newbie target M42 ?
  12. Last night didn't go quite as planned as I forgot to charge power pack (assumed it would be OK, will not make that mistake again ?). Anyways, I knew that the ISS was due for a flyover at 7.57 so I sat outside with a cup of hot tea and watched as it went by (5 minutes @ 72 degrees max so pretty good show). Was the brightest I had seen it yet, just wish I could photograph it. I decided to do a bit of star gazing with the naked eye. I'm still learning my way around the sky so time well spent. Orion is getting harder to spot from my garden and I saw the now tiny Mars underneath the Pleiades cluster. Cassiopeia looked great and I kicked myself for not having the scope in use as I was going to look at Andromeda with my new eyepiece. Then over to the west I could see what looked like hazy beam like shapes. Clouds maybe or a distant laser show? I was reading my Sky at Night magazine this morning when I noticed on page 47 (March edition) an article about the zodiacal lights. Well it was in the right place at the right time as described - 90 minutes after sunset. I'm wondering now if I really did see it. It looks to be clear again tonight so I will have a look and hopefully take a picture. Did anyone else spot this? Deb
  13. That sounds like a great book, I will see if I can find a copy, thanks. Deb
  14. 15mm BST Starguider - initial test on a distant tree was very good, can't wait to try it out properly! (and was lovely and sunny earlier too, now raining ?)
  15. This might see like a silly question but I just wondered what you guys do when transporting your telescope around. Do you just throw (not literally!) everything into the boot or do you carefully wrap it up or use a purpose bought storage bag? I plan to take my kit up to our caravan which is in a darker sky area. Obviously I will check collimation etc when I set up at the other end but does moving stuff around in the car do much damage to the mirrors? Thanks, Deb
  16. Thanks for the advice. Yes, I had been using the 2x barlow to do just that. The BSTs look a good choice and I can see some that are £43.99 delivered on eBay. What about a 15mm, would that be not a good midpoint? Deb
  17. Hi, I have been wondering about this and, as you do on cloudy nights, have been perusing online astronomical retailers as to what would be my first additional purchase to compliment the kit that came with my (second hand) set up. I think I can work out what's missing but would appreciate any second opinions please. Perhaps if I list what I have it may be useful? 130/650 Newtonian f5 25mm, 10mm and 2x Barlow (which I assume came with the original kit) - the 25mm seems fine but the 10mm doesn't and can perhaps be forgotten about as the previous owner bought a 9mm William Optics Swan eyepiece which I really like, and certainly feels much heavier and of good quality. There is also a 3x barlow. Also the telescope came with an auto-focusser, laser collimating tool and three coloured filters, no numbers on them but best described as smoky grey, light blue and a light purple colour. So, would I be right to be looking at an 18mm purchase with maybe a 32mm for a wider field of view - plus my 7 year old who likes to observe too obviously has better eyes than me, taking into account what Warthog said about up-to 7x focal length. Can you think of anything else I may need for the time being? I have made myself a red light torch. Thanks. Deb P. S I wear glasses for reading/PC work but not for observing.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.