Ciaran Meier

Probably was.

The Apollo must be a crack'n set bins. I've the Stellar II 15x70's and there're getting a lot more time than the scope. Your right about the joy of just sweeping the sky with a good set of bins, there's something magical about it. Gonna try a few of your list with my bins too. Cheers.

Watch this space.

I want a starship 🚀. Has anyone heard / read what has become of the host galaxy ?

Wow, that was a great session. Good to have the company of a friend too. Are you Observing from somewhere near the equator?

Just wow !!! You getting observation slots on the HST 😀 ? Nice summary of the astrophysics too.

Cheers 😀

How you getting on with the 25x70's ? I've a set of 15x70's which I'm really enjoying, becomimg my main observation tool I would say. The mount you mentioned, the Orion, could you post some detail on it. I'm using a monopod at the moment but wouldn't mind trying something a bit more solid.

Hot water bottle tucked into my fleece to keep warm. Still gets nippy though !

Out for a few hours after dinner and dishes done. Had the 15×70"s tripod mounted and the 10x50"s slung. Not much really to report, just relaxed a bit and chilled out. Working randomly from a list I've put together.... 32 Ori. Not a mission of splitting this with bins but a useful exercise to locate for a telescope evening. Sigma Ori. Really nice in the 15x70's, just spent a while soaking it up. Not sure if the 10x50's split it though. The Belt. Just scanned and enjoyed. 31 Ori caught my eye. Collinder 69. Lovely in the 15x70's. Spotted a nice red star here, 40 Ori. Taurus: Aldebaran and the Hyades, always spend a while here, it's a lovely part of the sky. 118 Tau. Double. Again not a Chance with the bins but just nice to track it down for follow up. 59 Tau. Double. The same. Davis's Dog asterism is not far from here, so two for the price of one. And of course the Pleiades to finish of the session. No pressure, just enjoyed it.

I've had set of Stellar II 15x70 for about a year now and they are getting plenty of use. I'm using them a lot more than my 8 inch newt which I've had for years. I use the bins on a monopod and they are just splendid for general sweeping. Really good on DSO too, I've been able to track down the fainter NGC's in Auriga with these. Also gave me my first look at the Dumbbell M27 as I've no visibility of guide stars to star hop with the scope from my back yard in Belfast. Great for doubles too. Brocchis Cluster in Vulpecula, the "Coat hanger", was another first with the bins. Would definitely recommend you go for it 😀.

Amazing what 60mm of aperture can do !

Nice snap of the double cluster.

Big bins are great !! I've a set of 15x70 and just luv'em.

There's probably a local Astronomy club in your approximate area whom you could contact to try out a set of non IS bins.

From what I hear here on SGL, image stabilised bins are hard to beat. Though they may have a somewhat smaller aperture the IS seems to make all the difference. Folk here on the forum who have a set of canon IS bins generally say they wouldn't go back to non IS. Maybe if you could borrow a set of 10×50's and try a comparison. Anyhow, I have a set of Elinor 10×50 and I they're pretty good and light enough for comfortable hand held viewing.

Trapezium nicely split and some nebula detail in that shot. If that's a quick snap with the phone I'd say you've a decent set of optics there.

That's a lovely report. I have a set of Stellar II 15x70's and there're great. The freedom of bins is hard to beat. Like you mentioned in the Pleiades, it's really nice just to dwell and let random asterisms pop out. I've never tried for nebula though with the bins, going to add a few of your successful observations to my list 😀.

Out in that weather, dosn't sound like not trying very hard !!! 😀. Well done getting a session in.

There's some colour coming through in that snap. Enjoy the scope 😀.

That sounds like you had a great session. Just below M42 there's some nice views around Struve745 / 747. NGC 1981 just above the nebula is also worth a look 😀.

😀.

Sounds like you really enjoyed the clear sky !!! Next chance I get I'm gonna take a look at Beta Mon, thanks for the suggestion 😀. BTW , what scope are you using ?

That colour in M42 is amazing, that must be a great scope 😀.

Really nice !! Like the middle one best. The starburst regions in the right most arm really stand out.