ScouseSpaceCadet

Being one of those who had their name sent to Mars on Perseverence I found the programme interesting on catch up later in the evening. Although very early this morning I woke up on the couch stiff all over after conking out around 70 minutes in and had to watch the remainder today... 🙄

I used a Skymax 102 for travel although not flights. The scope, a zoom ep, 30mm plossl, finder and diagonal fitted into a standard dslr camera bag. The mount and tripod in other luggage. However I found 10x50 binoculars were being used more so I sold the Skymax and forked out on 15x70s, a monopod and trigger grip. The whole lot is easy to pack and maybe weighs umm 3.5kg? Under dark skies there's a plethora of objects to see. The binocs are great for extended nebula and open clusters especially. Far less faff than a scope and tripod.

A fantastic, thoroughly engaging and thought provoking interview. The time flew over.

Nice Doug. I had a look around Schiller but decided to really survey and familiarise myself with Mare Humorum. All proper like! 😆🧐 Why the focal reducer?

For the last couple of months life and rare cloud free skies have clashed, so the kit hasn't seen the light. However, last night despite the 20mph gusts the Skymax 127 felt the breeze for an hour or so lunar observing. I even took out a lunar atlas! Focusing on Mare Humorum, seeing was wobbly so high powers were out, but sticking to a maximum of 166x with an Altair FF 9mm, the Gassendi rilles were easily discernable. A pleasant hour despite the wind.

Well if someone with experience of organizing these events fancies having a go I'd happily attend a September/October 2022 camp. The site isn't the darkest, however city dwellers will undoubtedly appreciate the sky. Plus the location is fairly central and facilities fine.

Robert Dalby strongly influenced my first telescope package purchase. The telescope has since been (regretfully) sold however the mount and tripod are still used. Despite being primarily an observer, I do have a mild interest in astrophotography and Nico Carver's channel is fantastic for DSLR users imho. As an AZGTi owner, The Lazy Geek has been invaluable. Ed Ting purely for his experience and wisdom. I've likely watched most of the channels mentioned but those above have probably had the most influence or been most useful.

1.25". At £15 used (like new) that was one of my better astro purchases...

A "U-bend". 😀 Thanks for the review. It's always good to read others' experiences. I picked up a GSO 2.5x ED barlow for a song a couple of years ago and wouldn't be without it. At least compared to the standard achro barlows it's in another league. The BST too seems to be in the ' much better than bog standard' bracket. I wonder how it holds up against the big boys' offerings?

I'm looking forward to this too. Thoughtful pauses and contemplative gazes included... 😉

The local village reducing light pollution aids the Spaceguard Centre, Powys. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/61719862

Url pm'ed

Very vanilla but they all get used... Celestron AVX: Sky-Watcher AZGTI: Sky-Watcher AZ5: ...plus a Manfrotto monopod and trigger grip 😀:

Thanks Agnes. Although I was concerned Discovering Double Stars was behind an explicit content warning requiring date of birth entry. What's in the latest edition?! 😆

Phil Plait has already been mentioned however I'll reiterate. This 48 video Astronomy course is fantastic. Pick the videos that interest you. Pause and ponder if you get stuck: If you cannot get out but want to take part and have an interest in science without a scientific background, the Zooniverse has many ongoing citizen science projects: https://www.zooniverse.org/projects?discipline=astronomy&page=1&status=live https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/mikewalmsley/galaxy-zoo-mobile

Heresy! 😀 The camping chair is highly recommended too... It looks like mine. A Vango Samson II with a 28st 4lb weight limit... 👊

I bought mine direct from Altair after requesting a stock notification. 18 months on, the scope is still a cracker for the price imho. I imagine the Svbony is just as good. Nik has given his a good workout. 👍

Nice, detailed write ups thanks. Pretty much echoing my own experience with an ED102 f7. Similarly I do find 180x to be a higher mag sweet spot. Having owned four budget eps previously, the Vixen SLV 4mm has so far proved to be excellent and I've absolutely no plans to change it. Regarding the 'mushy' view above 180x I cannot say the Altair ED102 suffers with this so much. The view is 'less crisp' but not mushy. On lunar especially I can up the mag well past 200x while maintaining sharpness. There's also no false colour halos. The only star I noticed this on was Siruis however that in itself is not unusual. To go higher than 180x a quality GSO 2.5x ED barlow is used. Maybe give that a try rather than a TMB planetary II. I've owned a couple of those inc. a 4mm and did not rate them at all in any of my scoped to be honest.

The only realistic option is a great comet so I'll go for that. C/2020 F3 Neowise came close to 'great' and was certainly memorable. We're definitely overdue a smasher.

To be honest you're fighting against nature trying to observe DSOs and especially galaxies during mid summer. Living in an urban area five miles from a city centre I pretty much give up this time of year, switching to lunar and latterly solar observation with some photography of those thrown in. If seeing is particularly good and moon out the way, then very late at night if an opportunity arises I'll tour the globulars, double stars and open clusters. There's a massive number of objects to observe and become familiar with and plenty of time to do so. Enthusiasm can get the better of us and on occasion lead to disappointment...

I started looking at the weekend. No luck yet!

Lovely. You will only get five clear nights a year, however they will be magnificent! 😆 Enjoy. 👍

The Bortle scale is a useful estimate if checking light pollution maps for an observing site but it's used as a guide. One cannot take the estimate literally - unaccounted for local variables will come into play. CO had me at Bortle 8 for a couple of years then upgraded me to 7. In that time my sky has undoubtedly brightened, so I take that reading with a massive dose of salt. Regarding the sky being "darker" during the lockdowns, I suggest the sky brightness was likely the same as before. However, the very significant reduction in air pollutants due to less aircraft, less road traffic and business energy use likely improved transparency. I had some wonderful urban observing sessions during lockdowns because the sky was "crystal clear".

Just me by arrangement. If I go they requested I call during the day to let them know. Write them an email explaining who you are and what you would like to do. That you're obviously used to the out doors and respectful of wildlife etc etc. I received a very nice reply so unless something has changed you should be fine.

Last year I wrote to the below nature reserve and was granted permission to observe after hours. It is not a dark site, however the reserve is used for occasional public stargazing events. As dark as it gets within an hour of driving north from Liverpool. Unfortunately I still haven't managed to get there... 🙄 https://www.lancswt.org.uk/nature-reserves/mere-sands-wood-nature-reserve The Peak District is only about 1hr 20mins drive on a good day and likewise, areas of Cheshire & North Wales.