Zermelo

Welcome, Luke. That photo would win some plaudits in this thread

You've switched off mobile reception? (WiFi on, mobile off)

Although, mine says 2022, and hitting the update button doesn't seem to have changed that?

Help says "the comet catalog requires regular updates from the Internet. Date of the comet data can be found in the comet catalog menu"

There's a lot of misty high cloud here, but it was the first chance I've had to try out the Bresser Dob since I had the mirror off - first light was abandoned because the images were badly distorted into triangular patterns, so afterwards I slackened off the mirror clips. The good news is that it's improved, but defocusing still shows an irregular pattern, with a hint of a triangular nature, so it's possibly still pinched. I'll have another stab when I get chance. Interestingly, I could still see more detail in Jupiter's bands tonight than I've ever seen in my other scopes, even with the impairment.

I think either of these scopes would give you a lot of enjoyment and a wide variety of possible targets. I have the Skymax 127 and a (slightly larger than the 130PS) SW 150mm reflector, both of which I use on a goto mount. The reflector is a bit better for the largest DSOs, the Mak is better on solar system targets. But it's not clear-cut: the Skymax has a shorter focal length than some other Maks, so it has a slightly wider field of view than they do; while the reflector, although not a natural for the highest magnifications, can still give decent views of planets with shorter focal length eyepieces. I find a mount with Goto and tracking to be very convenient. Apart from the obvious advantages, it's very handy if you share observing sessions and, if you use it correctly, you can find most targets quite easily on a Mak equipped with a decent optical finder.

Congratulations on M79, it's one of a handful of Messiers that have eluded me so far. You really need a decent southern horizon at these latitudes.

I think it's also true that there are some very decent zooms out there. I don't have the one you mention, but I do have four others, and they can all give my fixed EPs a run for their money.

It was the same for Gustav Holst. Removing Pluto from the list has had the accidental benefit of re-aligning with his suite. Was it this one?

15mm and 18mm in this range are very decent.

I'm no imager, but FYI this cheap one is at LIDL now: https://www.lidl.co.uk/p/crelando-led-light-pad/p10010516

Hello, What is your limit for "budget"?

Or bisect any two chords

First light for the 10" Dob was a damp squib. Stars impossible to focus, distinct triangular shapes showing, I suspect pinched optics. I'll have the cell off tomorrow and see how tight the clamps are.

Hello, You could have a look at some of the cheaper suggestions in this thread, especially the Starguiders if you can stretch to a little more.

... the thigh bone's connected to the hip bone, the hip bone's connected to the back bone...

And some second hand:

Ah thanks, I misremembered from a previous thread https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/402719-starter-equipment-advice/?do=findComment&comment=4315981 Also of interest: https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/371786-mounting-skymax-127-mak-on-az-gti

My Skymax 127 OTA is 3.2kg. It is the version with collimation screws; I believe the non-collimatible version is a little lighter. Astro Essentials 9x50 RACI is 540g Telrad base and body 300g (I've added bits to mine) Revelation Astro 2" diagonal 530g (I've fitted a 2" visual back onto my Mak) Astrozap dew shield 165g Plus an eyepiece, say 300g for a biggish one which comes to just over 5kg I currently use this on my AZ-GTiX. If I mount it alone it doesn't turn very easily in Az, but adding 3kg or so on the other saddle makes it much smoother.

The plucky little 'copter has flown its last mission, but it's been another massive over-achiever for NASA: https://www.space.com/nasa-ingenuity-mars-helicopter-mission-ends

There's some discussion on page 2 of this recent thread. And more discussion here, and further links.

I got my 127 Skymax after my 150mm Newt, and have used it on two different goto mounts. I thought I would use the Mak less frequently, having double the focal length and corresponding smaller TFOV. In practice, it's been the other way around. The Skymax is around F/11.8, so it's not quite as specialist as others that are F15ish. The number of targets that it can't fit in are greatly outnumbered by those that it can. And, of course, it's particularly strong on planets and doubles. I've split several 0.9" pairs and seen the Cassini division and GRS. You may be aware that the Skymax, unlike some other 127s, loses a bit of light by not having an oversized mirror, so it's effectively around 119mm in terms of grasp. Though I've not yet seen anything in my Newt that I've failed to see in the Mak. It may be relevant to note that I'm in a Bortle4 area. As to what difference you'll notice compared with the 10" Dob - well, I've done the opposite and just got my 10", but no clear skies to use it yet, so I can't comment. Obviously I'm hoping to see more of the conditions are right. In UK skies, I'm expecting there will be clear nights where conditions are the limiting factor in any case. On Freedom Find, I've found it useful to have, in particular when I'm observing in the early hours when nights are shorter. I have some neighbours close by who sleep with windows open, so I push the scope close (guided by SkySafari) and use goto for the last bit - it's much quieter. At other times I just use goto, because it's a bit more accurate like that.

Assuming that you don't fit goto kit or transplant a Starsense, perhaps consider an inclinometer and setting circles.

Do you already have a red dot finder, RACI and adjustable seat? The dob won't be causing CA, so won't need correction. Anything you see might be coming from an eyepiece?

Welcome to SGL. You have a good starter scope, and there are no stupid questions here 😀