ScouseSpaceCadet

Very true, but it still sends me to sleep... This series is the only Brian Cox programme I've felt the need to criticize. In the last twelve months I've rewatched Human Universe, The Planets and even recently bought The Planets book. All fantastic however this latest affair is far too slow and brings nothing new to the table. Almost as though the series is just a place holder. Filling in time while they think of something else to produce.

For the first time in ages, Clear Outside was spot on last night but I ignored the readings because my other two apps both said clear until 5am! I went outside at midnight to set up for an Orion astrophotography attempt and was met with a blanket of cloud as far as the eye could see, as forecast by CO. 🙄

Brilliant Jeremy just what I needed to know. Thanks. 👍

Hardly underwhelming. You photographed a galaxy (and its companions)!😀

Thanks for the encouragement. 😁 The problem now is the sky was fantastic for a short period around dusk... but see above. I'm hoping a miracle happens and it's great later. Last January was the last time I managed several hours observing.

Last night was terrible here too. Up to 75mph gusts. Wheelie bins thrown about etc. I had to go out in the dark and lash stuff down in the garden. We were lucky though. Mother nature conveniently piled a huge amount of leaves in one corner for me to dispose of today. You didn't miss much on telly last night anyway. 😁 Just been out again. I cannot decide. The wind is bearable in my corner but examining the sky, it isn't as clear as it looks with a glance. I'll check on the hour until I go out, or midnight.

Thanks. I have a very sturdy Manfrotto monopod so they should work OK on that?

Tbh having a telescope with its production number stamped on the objective lens housing is quite nice... even it isn't top end. 🙄

I've just been out for a proper evaluation. If the wind drops a few mph and the transparent milkyness dissipates then out I go. Plenty of time to decide. We were supposed to eat out tonight at a pub 25 minutes drive north but they cancelled at 5pm due to no power. ☹️ edit: Sorry to hear that Peter. ☹️ I'll be thinking of you later when I'm voluntarily shivering!

Sod's Law in action tonight. It's crystal clear outside and forecast to remain so until tomorrow morning. The temperature will dip to around 1°c. The perfect night if it wasn't for the 15mph wind gusting at 25mph. Am I a wimp for not setting up, or sensible? 🙄

My Opticron T WP 10x50s see a lot of use and are a joy under dark skies, however for those brief clear spells on work nights, I feel more aperture is required under my light polluted home skies. I've decided once the Christmas spend frenzy is out the way, to pick up 11x70 or 15x70 binoculars. Intended use is very short hand held periods or on a monopod. If there's time to set up a tripod, I may as well get the scope out... Opticron Oregon Observation 70mm are a nice price at £99 and I've read one good review. However the last time I used a binocular this size was fifteen years ago on range duty accompanied by a radio and unloaded rifle for appearances. 🙄 Therfore I really have no clue whether to plump for the 11x or 15x. According to the specs, weight is about the same and fov too. Instinct tells me to go for more magnification. Are my instincts correct?! Thanks in advance.

Many people are drawn to expensive items whether they can afford them or not. The feel good factor plays a large part. My neighbour across the road is a decent bloke but insists on buying Audi and BMW. Our vastly cheaper Toyota and KIA are massively reliable, have better mpg, cost less to service, are chocca with gadgets, comfortable and nice to drive. I read a car magazine review of our specific KIA and the reviewer actually stated he couldn't fathom why anyone would spend twice as much on the 'premium' brand equivalent. Undoubtedly the expensive telescope brands are superior, but as discussed above, just how superior is really unclear and debatable. Ultimately if you can afford £5k for a telescope, good luck to you. I'll never spend that much because I can't afford to. I'll have to make do with a Tecnosky 125/975 for my next scope. 😁 The good thing about astronomy as a hobby, is snobbery seems to be pretty much absent.The people with expensive gear are often delighted to let others have a peek and those with experience to match are usually incredibly helpful. 👍

You're not going to find refractor & mount combination much lighter than that unless you're willing to spend a great deal more, or considerably downsize to a very cheap travel scope package. Even then, you will only shave off a couple of kilos. The mount, tripod and telescope individually are easily manageable assuming an able bodied person is carrying them. Unless you intend to travel with the kit along with other gear?

Tbh I am selling the Mak at some point. It has been kept as a travel scope but most of the time while camping I end up staying with binoculars. The refractor kicks the Mak into touch on planets, lunar and everything else. However I concede a much higher focal ratio instrument is better generally for high magnification observing, but at these smaller apertures, with their well engineered focusers, excellent cool down times and decent objective glass these f7-ish ED and apo refractors cover all bases.

I have a great time observing doubles & planets with mine. Seeing conditions dependent, the telescope can manage over 200x. Again with decent seeing 180x with a decent 4mm eyepiece on planets is a joy with Saturn's atmospheric banding visible. Jupiter's GRS, festoons and barges are observable. The colour of double stars is well presented. Only the hardest splits and fainter doubles are troubling, however some of that difficulty can be attributed to the poor skies I live with. Agreed a 4" f7 telescope isn't 'ideal' for planetary observing however it is a managable, easy to mount all rounder for the price. @Sullivan1 before choosing any telescope, please think about and/or ask for mounting advice. Do you already own a mount? The mount is often an after thought and besides weight considerations, ease of storage and handling, the price of the kit can suddenly double or triple! Also you need to manage expectations. There is a thread here with just that in mind. https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/196278-what-can-i-expect-to-see/#comment-2060941

Svbony distributor, Retevis is doing an Ebay special offer at the moment. The 10mm is £44.99 until tomorrow. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SVBONY-SV190-1-25-UF10mm-Ultra-Flat-Field-Eyepiece-Fully-Multi-Coated-60-Degree-/284532210530?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0 The 18mm isn't listed.

Fair dos... If you're interested in expansive dsos though, are your skies decent? Would you not consider binoculars? In Bortle 3 a few weeks ago on one night I ticked off several nebulae, star clusters etc with just 10x50s and no filters... At home I gave up trying with my current and previous instruments. 10x50s, 130P, ST120, 150P, 200P, 102 Mak and 102ED all useless at nebula observation with severe light pollution. 🙄

Put red tape over the lamp while she's away. 😁👍

Nice pic. Straight away I thought of these lyrics: And did the Countenance Divine Shine forth upon our clouded hills? And was Jerusalem builded here Among these dark Satanic mills?

and his hair pieces knock years off him. No 'undercutting' required!

I bought one last summer and found the sun with it. 'nuff said... Although I don't think solar is for me. I burn too easily!

Only Jupiter last night. A lot of moisture in the air so not optimal observing conditions. As described in another thread the primary objective was to test the recently acquired Baader Classic Ortho 6mm vs the Skywatcher Planetary 6mm. The BCO won outright for clarity. The eye relief is very tight but not observing with glasses, that's fine. Bacon ribs, buttery mash and cabbage was calling, so the mount was repositioned for a post tea session, however on my return the clouds were rolling in. 🙄

The ever evolving eyepiece case. I can't really imagine needing more. I'm just not a collector and don't feel the need or can justify the cost of crackers priced units. Although I expect a couple will change in the near future. The Vixen SLV 4mm and BCO 6mm are the latest. They haven't disappointed. The OVL zoom will likely go. It's not used enough and I've decided zooms are not for me. There's a couple more not in the case on the to-sell list.

The 102ED hasn't saw the outside for weeks. Low tech tonight for some early evening Jupiter obs. The weather apps are saying the temp is a rather brisk 4°c and it feels at least that cold. The fingerless gloves and beanie are on. The new (to me) Baader Classic Ortho 6mm has gone head to head with the Skywatcher Planetary 6mm. The BST 8mm won! Hah. The sky is clear but transparency is so-so. 6mm is pushing it however I can see a clear winner and it's not the SW Planetary...

An Altair Starwave Ascent 102ED f7 refractor for £495 would for visual, be a better choice than all the scopes mentioned in the opening post, although at 4kg plus accessories it would just be under the limit of the intended mount's payload. Others would have to chip in regarding the suitability of the combination. Below is a pic comparing the fov through a 1.25" 24mm 65° eyepiece using a Skymax 127 and a 102mm f7 refractor. If you can afford £350 max then waiting a bit, £500 will be in reach. The versatile 4" refractor will make the Skymax 127 redundant anyway, so simply sell it to recoup the extra cost. 😉