DaveL59

didn't have to calculate that, tho it was a VW Beetle vs Citroen DS head on. Front of the DS just a little crumpled, Beetle on the other hand, not a lot left of the front end. Any 2CV fans should also note - do not pull out in front of a truck if you want to see tomorrow...

if you're ok with the narrowed field of view a plossl gives, perhaps consider a zoom so you can adjust the FL to gain magnification, there's a few 7-21mm in your price range, that way you effectively get several options all in one package. You can then add specific FL's that you find work well for you later on if you want a wider FoV.

dunno but they were reluctant to do a return trip for the leak issue saying it adds a lot of stress to the vehicle, but then watching it blow over would be a lot more stress huh 😉 At least they can to a lot of checks and re-certify components and batteries etc while in the shed, they'll have to to get clearance to try for a launch anyway now. Pity they didn't just make the shed a RoRo would've been so much simpler 😄

BBC now have mentioned this also Nasa spacecraft lining up to smash into an asteroid - BBC News Due to hit just after midnight (00:14 BST)

Unlikely to see this launch till November now Hurricane Ian forces Nasa to shelter Artemis Moon rocket - BBC News Rolling back to the shed because of extreme weather.

no worries Stu, in fact it wasn't a criticism more a tongue-in-cheek remark as I'd happened to be in the TV guide a few mins earlier and that came up as I scrolled along. Made me giggle so figured I'd share 😉 Agree re the moon, and from the tests so far there's no way I'd want a ride in his almost wingless tin can. Makes you wonder the odds of a good landing if there's a gust of wind... As for my own rocket developments, well I can't exactly go to market for the exotic chemicals etc now given my new employer would take a very dim view of such activities, not to mention the landlord would quickly kybosh that anyway 😄

I do wonder if the Smithsonian channel on Sky have some insider info tho, lately they're showing a series calls "Space Disasters". Fortelling the future, maybe? 😉

they did have a number of LH2 leaks in fact with launch delays and even launched one that had a smell of gas inside after the leak was supposedly sorted. So maybe its just something about how to handle LH2 in fuelling or some other way needs to be determined. I'd imagine if they're hoping to generate LOX and LH2 on the moon to fuel boost more distant missions they're gonna have a lot of fun with the much sharper edged moon sand/dust that may find its way onto/into the fuelling lines and couplings...

Ah but shuttle was different, in that the external tank was fuelled via the shuttle using the quick-disconnects in the tail of the shuttle. Those same lines from the external tank then fed the main engines on the back of the shuttle. So in effect for SLS they've grafted the ass-end of shuttle + 1 extra engine onto the base of the tank and stretched it for more capacity and so had to do something else for gassing the tank up.

remains to be seen of course if the next try will be a repeat of the last aborted launch - small leak becomes uncontrollable leak. That they had LH2 issues on the main and upper stages makes you wonder if there's a design or build issue with the quick disconnect couplings.

Well they did manage to get it all gassed up, had to manage the feed pressure on LH2 as it still leaked but at a low enough level to continue. Also had an issue feeding the upper stage later on so it seems LH2 is a bit of an achilles heel for them. In the end tho it's declared a successful demo so now we wait to hear the next confirmed launch date.

oh dear, slo fill LH2 on stop as they have a leak at the umbilical join, deciding if to try the heat and retry procedure. Oh and a flaky temp sensor on the LH2 fill side too that's part of the fast flow switchover.

for those interested, cryo test underway https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/2022/09/21/launch-director-gives-go-to-begin-cryogenic-operations-nasa-tv-coverage-underway-2/

Also found this on CN forum Making a monocular from a m42 lens and an eyepiece - Binoculars - Cloudy Nights

Actually, doing a search it seems you can get new ones still Astro Essentials M42 to 2" Eyepiece Holder | First Light Optics RafCamera M42x1 female thread to 1.25" telescope eyepiece adapter... Can't say these would work with a diagonal but so long as the light path is correct (45mm) then you should find focus. Might need a prism rather than a mirror diagonal tho.

nah it just adds to the show if it goes up in a big loud flash, he does like to showboat after all 😉

You did used to be able to buy an adaptor for M42 lenses, but they're pretty rare to find nowadays

just found the preview sample review Svbony zoom 3-8 mm SV215 eyepiece review (star-hunter.ru)

is it any good Ags? Only SVbony ones I have are the 7-21 and 8-24mm and they are pretty decent.

nothing new in the NASA blog so far but CNN report that the cryo test will be Wednesday 07:15 EDT which will be live streamed. Interesting in their article was a note about the seals: NASA's Artemis I moon rocket preps for prelaunch test | CNN There was a press briefing earlier today, over here we'd likely have been watching the Queen's final journey

as above but do bear in mind that the bigger high power bino's aren't exactly small or light and in their case would occupy probably as much space as a small refractor. Worth checking around and compare size/weight I'd think and then consider which would be easier to transport and set up. Whatever you do, don't get any of the zoom bino's that claim incredible magnification at great prices, they are mostly junk and at best barely useful for terrestrial viewing.

latest posted in the NASA blog on 12-Sep was: (subject to extension being granted of course) Artemis (nasa.gov)

I see what you mean, a lot of dust but that sure looked like impact, maybe they'd short fuelled the escape engines and it used it all up getting away? Didn't program in a lift n coast cycle... Would've been fun to see a G force display of that the capsule was pulling as it escaped, more than a jolt I'd say.

missed that, but I guess at least the escape system kinda works... just needs some work on the landing 😉 oh, wait... just reading that and it soft-landed, well done in that case 🙂

I guess back in the 70's there were still moon missions and voyager to stir some interest, and of course the web wasn't as available or filled with images that are so readily available now. For many its maybe a case of not born while space exploration was still a big thing and the meh! factor of what you can actually see vs dazzling images they can pull up on the PC/table/phone, so why stand out on the odd clear freezing night when you can sit and google...