Benjam

I too have the Edge 8 HD and 0.7 reducer, though I’m using the AVX mount. I’m in the process of upgrading my AVX for the CGX-L mount, so I’m great full for you're review. Thank you

StarSense is a brilliant piece of kit. The video below will get you up and running in minutes, much easier then the instructions. Enjoy * I use Celestron GPS with mine, saves having to input time,date, etc etc.

Hello Baz I’m using a EclipSmart Solar Filter, though it’s designed for SCT’s. This will hopefully give you a rough idea on what can be achieved. I’ve had some success imaging Sun Spots and the Mercury transit, last year.

Only choose one object in the sky, to either image or view, what would it be? And... why? For me, it would be imaging the Milky Way in a remote location with a scenic backdrop. I could travel light with just a camera and tripod.

This video may help you.

Hi Baz No, with a DSLR camera. The small sensors inside smartphones restrict what you can do, but it is certainly possible. If you can find yourself a dark site, you will be truly blown away.

Here’s my first attempt at light painting while travelling, In fact it was my first time ever using a DSLR camera. I had all ready carried the camera and tripod around in the bottom of my rucksack for 6 months without any use. Fiji’s made up of over three hundred islands. I was just under five hours away by boat from the main island so the night sky was amazingly dark. I got talking to a fellow traveller the day before on a day trip who gave me a quick tutorial on the basic functions and settings I would need. The equipment i used: Canon 1300D, Manfrotto Travel Tripod, Remote Switch and a Head Torch. Oh and it helps if you have a assistant too like Debbie McGee... I had my Debbie McGee lookalike hold the torch. The trick is to turn the torch on writing a letter backwards into thin air, turn off the torch and for you’re assistant to move a few steps to there left and repeat the process till you’ve spelt out what ever you wish, all under 30 seconds. It’s great fun for all ages and you can be as imaginative as you like. You don’t even have to write, you can just stand still and draw shapes. The pictures I took are still in a RAW format so I haven’t processed anything. I’m hopeful some processing will bring out more detail in the night sky. A different island & assistant...

I definitely had the wow experience in Fiji. Luckily, I downloaded a app beforehand. I found it very disorientating to begin with as I didn’t know where to look. With the app, I could at least find familia objects in the night sky.

I’m bortle 5 too and from my observatory I can’t see Andromeda with my naked eye or 10x50 bins... Though to be honest I haven’t exactly tried very hard, after a few minutes of searching, I give up and just use my GoTo Mount. Within seconds, I have Andromeda in the eyepiece (8” SCT). Below was a 90 second sub @200mm of Andromeda, piggybacked.

Impressive image Gina, well done. With my vivid imagination... I see a jellyfish swimming amongst plankton in your image, minus the colour.

Hi Dave I’ve been enjoying this thread, looks impressive... I’m a chippy by trade and I use these ”Easydrive countersunk screws” linked below, no plugs needed. https://www.screwfix.com/c/screws-nails-fixings/masonry-screws/cat840054?cm_sp=managedredirect-_-screwsfixings-_-masonryscrews Ben

I poured my dome base in one hit during last summer’s heatwave. Six inches of concrete + pier hole which was 800 wide and 600 deep. I’ve had no issues with cracking, however I did water the concrete 3 times a day to stop it from drying out to quickly.

Like you Steve, When using my Canon 1300D with BYE software it cuts out too when switching to live view. I just focus and frame my subject from my laptop screen, without using live view. Ben

I was thinking the very same thing before bed last night. What’s even more strange is when I remove the tank for emptying, everything is bone dry inside and this is with the hose attached. Yes, it came with a two year warranty and I only purchased the dehumidifier 6 months ago. I will contact the manufacturer. Funny enough, the dehumidifier was empty this morning and working as it should...

Thanks for the reply’s and suggestions so far... @pmlogg @tony210 @Hallingskies @steppenwolf @dobblob @tomato I’ve prodded & poked about giving everything a wipe down and haven’t found anything to suggest a blockage @steppenwolf Yes that’s correct @tomato though the hose is securely attached (see pictures below). I think here’s the problem, water is somehow bypassing the nozzle and external hose and filling up the tank. In theory, this should be impossible, I guess... I’m also using the correct diameter hose. I’ve taken some more pictures to try and help illustrate the problem. Ben Without the tank installed the nozzle is closed. Tank inserted and the nozzle opens, water then drips into tank. Picture taken from inside showing the hose pushed firmly over the nozzle. Water then should bypass the tank and flow down the pipe and away.

I removed the knock out disk like a experienced surgeon before installing. However, I do like your idea (manually filling the tank) and checking for blockages. I will report back tomorrow. Ben

Here’s my telescope history and in no particular order. April 2019 - 8” Celestron Edge HD. For my next scope, I would like either a RASA or the William Optics 2019 Zenithstar 73 II (Blue).

Water tank was full again today, this is so weird 🤔

Hi, I’m curious to know how you got on, did you stick with SCP or buy the iOptron ipolar? Ben

Tracy Island?

I went outside Christmas morning and the tank needed emptying, though when I checked today, (Boxing Day) the tank was completely empty and working just fine. Yes, I have a downward drop, though difficult to see from the above picture. Maybe the nozzle is freezing up, though would this then divert water into the tank?

I’ve just been outside expecting to empty the tank again and it’s completely empty, dehumidifier ticking along as normal. This is so bizarre, I really am baffled... Ben

Since these pictures were taken I’ve insulted both sides. I’m just baffled why 99% of the time it drains away, how it should do and now it’s just filling up the tank. I too, upgraded the plastic pipe. Ben

I’m running a EcoAir DD122 desiccant dehumidifier on continuous drainage. Somehow, recently it’s been stopping continuously draining and started filling up the tank inside and cutting out when full. I’ve taken everything apart, giving everything a clean and all seemed ok again. Now this evening It’s happened again. I’ve had it running constantly since September with no trouble. Now it’s December and i’m having a few issues. I don’t think it’s been cold enough to freeze the pipe, it’s currently 7 degrees outside. The pipe is plastic and roughly 5 inches long, wrapped in lagging. Has anyone encountered the same problem or is this normal for winter? Like I said, I don’t think it’s been cold enough for anything to freeze. Ben

Quick update on a issue I recently discovered and fixed today. The past 10 days I’ve been noticing a small amount of water underneath two floor tiles, nothing major but it was becoming annoying and I couldn’t work out where the water was creeping in. In theory, it should be bone dry as I went over the top sealing the observatory. On Thursday I decided to lift half the floor tiles and look under the DPM (Damp Proof Membrane) for any evidence. Basically under the DPM the floor was saturated and puddles were visible. I ended up removing everything out the observatory so I could investigate further, just leaving the dehumidifier running overnight. I’m glad I used a towel to wipe away the excess water before bed because the next morning I could clearly see the problem. To cut along story short... The water draining away from the dehumidifier couldn’t drain away properly because there was nowhere for the water to drain to, apart from back inside the observatory. The last two months wet weather has lifted the water table. Yesterday I plugged the drainage hole with silicon and today I drilled a 15mm hole through the observatory wall to allow the dehumidifier to continue draining normal. I wrapped pipe insulation around to hopefully stop it from freezing up.