ScouseSpaceCadet

I had a go 2 nights previously with a 4" refractor up to 250x. At 0.2" separation a futile exercise but interesting nonetheless. Keep your fingers crossed Jiggy. I'm sure one of the doubles experts will come along and confirm you bagged them. 😀

Porrima! I managed about half those in the list tonight. How I ever missed Porrima/Gamma Virginis before now I don't know. A fantastic yellow-white matched double. Supposedly hard in a small telescope, however at 3.1" separation, an easy split with the 4" refractor and one of the best doubles I've observed. Thanks Nick.

Very true. 🙄

Those kids still have plenty of time to lose their virginity, wake up in a wheelie bin covered in sick and skint their parents... The crying little sods complaining about free speech and being locked down. Most of whom will not contribute to any great degree except to breed more worker drones, consume goods and pay taxes if we're lucky. It's us oldies with not much time and still much to do I feel for... The ones who have served their countries and/or communities, paid their way and begrudgingly but on the whole, quietly got on with it. I feel better now. Roll on as many trips and star parties as possible!

I dunno why but I read, "Double stars, galaxies and frozen peas." Still a good report though!

A nice seat cushion with a handy handle? https://www.amazon.com/Northeast-Products-Therm-Cushion-Stadium/dp/B00W0J520M/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=seat+cushion+handle&qid=1617381496&sr=8-4

Great chair John. I'm getting one this year... The tent without a roof looks interesting. The spare room doesn't look big enough or necessary though tbh. For me, the pull of the dark side is too great... A couple of accessories arrived for the used 450d in the post...

Correct... Although the first official UK Govt supported British astronaut, retaining his British citizenship and representing ESA is Tim Peake. The British-born astronauts in order of flight are: Helen Sharman. Born: Sheffield. First launch: 1991-05-18. British. Supported by a private British consortium/USSR government. Michael Foale. Born: Louth. First launch: 1992-03-24. Used US citizenship. Piers Sellers. Born: Crowborough. First launch: 2002-10-07. Used US citizenship. Nicholas Patrick. Born: Saltburn-by-the-Sea. First launch: 2006-12-10. US citizenship. Gregory H. Johnson. Born: South Ruislip. First launch: 2008-03-11. US citizenship. Richard Garriot. Born: Cambridge. First launch: 2008-10-12. Dual nationality space tourist. Had a US flag on his arm but US/UK on his flight suit. Tim Peake. Born: Chicester. First launch: 2015-12-15. British. First to be supported by the UK government/ESA. Successive UK governments have failed to support and albeit ruined the British space industry. It's crackers Helen Sharman had more support from the USSR than the UK. 🙄

Tbh I meant 'slower focal ratio'... Early hours post... 🙄 Do you have for instance a Mak or f7+ refractor maybe to compare? I was being (a little) serious about the slap. Imagine Chris Lintott on TV without a hint. He'd look like a thawed cadaver! *shiver*.

Great report again Nik.. and well done Barry! Tonight the weather forecast was for clear skies. Unfortunately the forecast was spot on except the clouds cleared around two hours later than expected. Still up at 1am, the telescope stayed inside, however grabbing the 10x50s I gingerly crept into my dark corner... The usual light pollution but otherwise very good seeing. A crack was made at M81/M82. When wielding a telescope they're my go to galaxies under the bortle 8 skies but with the binoculars I failed on this occasion. ☹️ Despite the failure, a rather enjoyable hour was spent hopping around the skies laid back on a garden chair. The highlight of the night, spotting m13. A first with binoculars. The surprise was how prominent the recognisable smudge looked against the sky in the 6.5° view. A just past the zenith m44 was framed really well too.

Great vid, watched on the telly. Pete Lawrence watch out! 😉 As John said, the important stuff was covered. Maybe do a slightly longer video next time demonstrating performance at contrasting telescope focal lengths? I can't say there was any noticeable stumbling. If you're worried about that, rehearse a tad beforehand and/or jot down a rudimentary script. Also remember, a dash of matte powder will take the shine off your face and a hint of eyeliner really makes the eyes pop!

Good luck to him. 👍 Unfortunately mine chose a history degree and the teen daughter's probably heading for foriegn languages. I likely mention on a weekly basis they need to find jobs abroad. Preferably warm (but not hot) with clear skies and low to moderate light pollution.😁

Great stuff. I've begged my kids to get jobs with SpaceX, Nasa, ULA or the likes so I can have nice cheap extended holidays & maybe see a launch. They just roll their eyes!

Stunning!

I was also out last night with the 4", managing to observe the highlights you mentioned with the addition of Izar/Epsilon Boötis. Hopefully this weekend the list you posted will be worked through.Thanks!

No problems for me with two different Android 10 phones running Synscan Pro ver. 1.19.0 but some users of Android 11 have reported problems. Manually installing .apk version 1.19.0 may fix your issues. http://www.skywatcher.com/download/software/synscan-app/

The simple answer is "yes". Keep looking and eventually something will startle or intrigue you... The last time was about three weeks ago at dusk. From the garden I saw two lights blink in the distance. One even changed from white to red. Then 'poof' both gone. I ran for the 10x50s and after maybe a minute discovered the culprits... silhouetted against the sunset was the distinct shape of a hot air balloon and basket beneath... It's hard to judge but anywhere from 5-10 miles distant. I guessed the lights were the burners being switched on/off and the flames changing colour. At a very late hour last year I was out observing and actually got spooked by two lights appearing from nowhere, travelling for a few seconds then off again. Same apparent distance, perpendicular to each other but seemingly widely spaced and moving at the same speed, like in formation. Probably satellites catching sun light, but slightly unnerving at the time. As for iridium flares and other random flashes, again, yes on several occasions. I put down the flashes as meteors on a steep trajectory - I imagine if it's coming straight at you, there will be a flash as it fizzles out and no tail. Either that or alien spacecraft decloaking.

The Talentcell battery Dean describes is commonly used to power smaller mounts. It outputs more than enough and lasts for months between charges. For about a year I used a cheap cable similar to Dean's, but I have just bought a Lynx Astro cable. https://www.amazon.co.uk/TalentCell-Rechargeable-6000mAh-12000mAh-Lithium/dp/B0713T4XT9 https://www.firstlightoptics.com/lynx-astro-cables/lynx-astro-silicone-power-cable-21mm-dc-jack-to-21mm-dc-jack.html The battery is kept in a molle bag & fastened to a tripod leg via a couple of velcro straps. The bag has an internal nylon pocket that fits the battery perfectly. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B07G5BTG28?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title The bag is also large enough to safely secure the cable when not in use. If the mount isn't fitted with an ADM saddle, please consider emptying your wallet further. The difference in performance is worth it. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adm-replacement-saddles/adm-dual-dovetail-adaptor-for-az-gti.html

Succumbing to fashion, I ditched my trusty £1.87 Amazon AZGTI power cable for a Lynx Astro job... Accompanied by an OVL 1.25" UHC filter.

I've given up on Clear Outside. The Weather and Radar app is first choice at the moment.

I knew there was something else I should have been doing besides playing football, riding a bike, building dens, fighting with the kids from the next block and tormenting girls...

Just a bit... but tbh I wasn't expecting +30% and it's doubtful the average consumer really expected that much of a hike either.

Well the good news is OVL must have recently received a shipment of stuff. A UHC filter ordered on 5th January has just been dispatched. 🙄

Lee is this you diving head first into that deep astrophotography rabbit hole? Say goodbye to your wallet (and sanity!). 😉 Enjoy. 👍

Waiting for a clear patch I can tantalisingly see headed in from the Irish Sea... The 102ED fully loaded with both an rdf and 9x50 raci finder... plus the Altair 24mm UFF which jinxed the weather the day it arrived a couple of weeks ago!