Stephenstargazer

Not the most elegant looking or lightest of SW mounts from,err, SW, but I might like the price? 🤔

Put simply it does not control motors but provides a connection to planetarium apps (including Rowan's) for manual mounts. DSC = digital setting circles, enabling use of encoders without 3rd party hardware.

Heads up ! The DSC 100 (or75) Controller for manual mounts is now listed on the Rowan website. https://rowanengineering.com/products/dsc100 Maybe the Handset will be next?

I am very fortunate to have met Ian at several Preston Montford SPA weekends, including last year, bravely despite his health. Incrediblly knowledgeable, but able to converse with everybody, and so willing to advise,. One of science's true gentlemen, a polymath and communicator. I too hope his Digest can be preserved with a suitable tribute. My signed copy of his book of Gresham lectures will alwys be treasured. Best of all I have fond memories of time in his company at a telelescope and in the lounge.

I went into a (very wet) field near my house at the end of twilight on (windy) Tuesday with 15x50 IS bins and picked out the head of the comet nicely. For a bonus Uranus was an easy find too. It is a good Western horizon but by no means dark sky. No idea what I stepped in though.....

If you like to mix eyepiece and camera views then a flip mirror is the easiest solution. Getting them parfocal can be fiddly, a simple helical eyepiece holder helps. It tends to rule out a focal reducer as you are likely to have insufficienf back focus. You should be able to pick up a Vixen one cheap as they have included them with many scopes sold.Try a want enquiry?

Oh for goodness sake stop it ! I have stew and dumplings for tea and glad to have it too. 😛

Congratulations! It occurred to me that the only possible effect this side of the pond was a dimming of twilight. As it was raining here I stayed inside and followed news coverage. How sad that a response of so many was to get out a bright phone during totality ☹️

I believe to make a pinhole camera you would need to remove the objective lens first. 🙂

@Alan WhiteThe telescope count is meant to be static pending house move! In fact quite a lot may need to go into storage. Thanks for encouragement, 6" Newton sounds a natural with the 75 ! Viewing positions (at my age) will be much easier than my long departed truss dob, amazing though its views were. A low tripod and adjustable chair beckon 🙂. My telescope journey nearly started with a 6" Newtonian, but I chose a compact Maksutov for 'convenience' and I wonder how that may have affected subsequent choices. (Excuse temporary deviation from topic)

No, not really, I have been up to 14" and returned. My f/9 8"cat is enough. However a light 6" f/5 reflector would be a nice widefield to push around on AZ75, easier than a 125mm reffractor in several ways, including wallet.

On the AZ75 that must be just like pushing a small dob around, very natural and potentially even smoother. Even easier eyepiece position so I can feel a Newtonian coming on.......... 😈. Just need one more good reason.

When next in Cornwall try Stargazy pie !

I have the plain field scope version (ex WD) , which does not come out much but so wondefully constructed I doubt I will ever part with it. The full bling and mount ones dont tempt me, but I can see the appeal.

Did you not spot the irony in the title... 🙂 but thanks for the link !