Barry-W-Fenner

Hi, I will be interested to hear back on how well the variable polarizing filter works on Venus. I have a 1.25mm VP on order which is on 7-10 days delivery. I am really hoping this helps draw out more detail in various planets. Regards barry

Hi all. When I started this hobby I began by viewing the Moon, This was back in September last year. In my excitement I had been viewing the moon around 8pm over consecutive nights and it was still bright a bright blue summer sky. After the first few nights I noticed a "star" had been gradually appearing to the left side but I had been to engrossed with the Moon to have noticed it. At this point I though it was time to leave the comfort of the Moon and get out there, So I nudged the scope around 3" to the left 🙂🙂and lined up the "star" what could possibly be shining so brightly against a clear blue sky I thought to myself. I lined up my target in the finder then dived down the eyepiece. To my shock I was looking at what I assumed to be Jupiter, I viewed the planet for a while and confirmed it was in fact Jupiter, I then stood back from the eye piece and had to reconcile what I had just seen. I was genuinely shocked all the times I had read about Jupiter or seen it on the TV and I have now seen it with my own eyes. (or eye 🙂) Over the past week or so it had been looking straight back at me all along. I spent more time at the eye piece viewing Jupiter only to be shocked again, It had now got dark enough for 4 points of light to also be visible. Jupiter's 4 largest Moons have now come to the party. I was absolutely blown away and couldn't believe what I was seeing. I dragged the wife out for a look in my excitement and she was also amazed at seeing Jupiter. We have now seen a number of planets and deep sky objects together which have all been amazing but the first viewing of big Jupiter and the genuine shock is my most precious astronomy memory and will take some beating! Below is an image I took that day which I keep on my phone and PC at all times. A warning to all imaging folk on here, Please dont get to jealous of my imaging skills 🙂 So my question to the community, What has been your personal favorite astronomy memory and is there any particular reason it stands out to you? All story's welcome be it visual or imaging or even maybe the joy of showing someone something they didn't know was possible to see. I imagine there is some very interesting story's to be shared! Thanks for reading all. Baz

And why is Mars always so big! 🙂

I am sorry John , I simply can't take the above as "factual" Everybody knows Saturn is far larger than Uranus 🙂🙂 Baz

Same here John. The clouds have been solid. Finally started to break about 9pm. Better this morning, fingers crossed it clears for us all through the day. Baz

Thanks Mark, good to know. Let's hope we all get to view this event tomorrow! Baz

All fingers and toes crossed for a clear sky. This time last week the sky was the best I have seen. What time did you manage to see both planets? Baz

Please please please be a clear sky 😁

Sure hope the weather sorts its life out tomorrow too see this event!

Nice pic! Some great detail you got there. I think the cheap route is a good option as advised by John. I'm looking forward to seeing if I can get some decent/focused shots of the planets with this adapter 👍 Baz

Looks like we have used up all our clear night allowance. I just looked outside hoping and preying for a clear night. Thick cloud again and real damp. Not had a decent viewing session since last Sunday Baz

100% a decent chair aids comfort considerably. I use a bar stool and it really improved my enjoyment viewing the sky. Also getting your Dob to the most practical height for you. I only raised my dob by around 3" and it is much better with combined with the stool. baz

I fitted them and done a collimation, they are a tad long but do the job really well. I don't think I will bother to shorten them. Thanks for your advice with these. They are ace! Baz

They have arrived. Will fit them shortly!

Thanks John. This combination is certainly something to consider, I will see how I get On with the rigel for a bit and go from there. Baz

Interesting thread, I have had an operation recently which has impacted the movement of my back. I was really struggling with the straight finder as I had to bend down along the tube of the scope. I bought a right angle finder and things improved greatly. I love the new rigel addition to my scope but it is starting to mess my back up again as you need to view down the scope to use it. Out of interest. What sort of distance should you be from the rigel before you see the two red rings? I am around 6-8" away before I can see them OK. Its that normal Regards Baz

Hi Alan. Just thought I would say I had a read of this thread a couple of months back before I was a member of the forum. I really enjoyed it. Top job you did improving this scope and it also inspired me to flock my 200p which improved the contrast greatly. Keep up the good work Regards Baz

How on earth do you operate a dob of this size, do you have to keep getting down to turn it and adjust the altitude? does it also just use a 1.25 or 2" eye piece? If so does this eye piece not burn a hole through your skull from all the collected light? I assume that a normal 1.25 eye piece would do this size justice and provide astonishing views Baz

This is going to be amazing. Had some stunning views of Big Jupiter and Saturn in September and look forward to improving on them when they come round together again. Baz

Thanks you for this info. I have had some great views of Venus so far and look forward to seeing it at maximum altitude in March!

Excellent pic. Both Mercury and Mars are clearly visible to the naked eye. I still haven't managed to view these two planets yet and am really looking forward to having a look. I have been trying to locate Mars in the early mornings when clear but had no joy. Hopefully I will find it in the evening! Baz

That's great news, thank you. I look forward to trying to see this tricky little fella. If I can view Mercury, Mars and Neptune I will be very happy! Just little Pluto left, wish me luck with that one 😁

Great! I will have to check that out then for the celestial threads, I am still finding my way around a bit 🙂 So on 28th if the weather is on our side we should be able to get both Venus and Neptune in the eye piece together?! If so that is ace. Just hope they are both not to low then. Cheers Baz

Stu - A little off topic but as I can't comment on your celestial events I thought I would post here. Thank you for creating them, They are a Great help, Hopefully I can use the 28th Crescent Moon, Venus and Neptune conjunction as an opportunity to view Neptune. The only snag is it is still quite low! I will also have a go at looking for the comet between the double cluster! Everything crossed for a clear sky over the weekend and next week!! Cheers again, These event logs are very helpful for an amateur like me! 🙂 Baz

I see what you did there! baz