Stardaze

What is it, looks rather exotic?

Almost looks like an ornament 😁

Does the secondary drift a bit over time then? Just the general alignment of the clips?

What's your preferred tool of choice for collimating John? Wondering whether a laser is better Han a Cheshire for the secondary?

Love the extent people go to, to enjoy their interests. I did consider the 10" version of that scope for the storage benefits. How well does the tracking system work on the bigger dob? Bit gutted that our planned building works are on hold at the minute (like everything) as I'll have the perfect spot just inside the patio afterwards. Demands a picture 🙂 Back to what I said above, sounds interesting a steel construction. Thanks for the link to those, was looking at the geoptik case which is twice the price. Is the bottom cap needed? Was looking at the astrozap cap but just for the top.

On cold nights, you’ll suffer with condensation taking straight into the house though presumably. Was thinking the garage might be a more gradual warm up. Camera lenses definitely condensate quickly, I leave them in the bag to acclimatise slowly, but a big heavy dob is a different proposition.

Is condensation a common issue in a garage? Maybe in a case then could negate that? Presume only possible in the colder months?

I’ve order a new 10” dob, which hopefully might be here this week, just in time for the change in weather 😳 So dob users, tell me how you store yours and treat it. No doubt I’ll leave mine in the garage, wondering whether it might be an idea to get a case for the tube for when transporting it around? Do you cover yours over with a sheet/cover? And what about when it’s acclimatising outside? I do try to look after kit so worth knowing some basics. As a side topic, when out in the field viewing, have you all observing chairs? I’ve been faffing around with diy options this last week and started to think I need a more comfortable solution.

I've collimated my 5" reflector for the first time today and have had an hour just to check all is fine. It actually doesn't seem to be any different, but then I'm wondering whether there's turbulence around tonight. Presume at this time of year, and just into dark following a relatively warm day, there will be heat rising? When I defocus I tend to get almost rings in the centre, but broken up into dots, with a ring of fire around the centre that pulses a bit? Does that sound like atmospheric conditions? I'm likening it mostly to that mentioned in this article: http://www.astro-baby.com/astrobaby/help/collimation-guide-newtonian-reflector/

I tried a star test last night quickly - I haven't been looking for problems until my Cheshire was delivered, and last time I looked it didn't look too bad - but there were light clouds around and it pretty much looked like the typical atmospheric depiction I've seen. It looked way out when I tested it all earlier. Managed to snaffle an old film canister and made that up to use for the secondary mirror, which was a bit better for that than the Cheshire.

Holy thread revival again! But I've just broken my collimating virginity. Wasn't too bad, once you get your head around it. I guess the proof of the pudding will be tonight.... watch this space! It's a good job I'm practising on my little starter scope, before the 'upgrade' turns up (next week with a slice of Lady Luck)

Instead of starting a new thread, asking the same questions, I thought I'd revive this old sticky. I've been looking at a reference guide in the form of an Atlas and many references seem to be for the Sky & Telescopes Pocket Sky Atlas. This seems to be discontinued in print, only available on Kindle? Would the Cambridge Star Atlas be a decent alternative? BTW, The link within this thread seems to navigate to a subscription based site? Assume it's no longer a freebie?

This comes up with nothing for me tonight?? Is that correct?

I couldn't find it with my 25mm EP, but just in the 18mm. I tried the 8mm out of curiosity but my little 5" wasn't providing enough light. It wasn't easy with 5" f/6.92 last night so keep at it and hope for a better viewing evening. I know we're not supposed to as such right now, but maybe a field in the middle of nowhere, at midnight, on your own, could be allowed 😁

It's been very clear most nights this last week and I've enjoyed spending time looking for the galaxies in the Canes Venatici area as they're perfectly overhead, so the best time to find them. You should have Leo in the SW too so plenty there. I'm restricted in the east from my garden so the opposite to you with mine facing NW. No idea about humidity effect, learning these things myself, but I'm in an area with a Bortle 5 rating and there's plenty to work around. I have printed off some charts to take out with me as I found the phone app was getting a bit troublesome. Trying to grab 10-12pm this week as that just about works.

I found it last night but very difficult to see. Just about make out some blurred gases. Ordered a 10" dob yesterday so will have to wait a week or so and pray that conditions stay the same..

The Cheshire. My 130 has been pretty solid but it is time I had one. Went for FLO's own alu version.

They've quoted around a week so I've placed the order with them. Ordered the finders from FLO. Thanks for your help John. 👍

I was struggling to find it last night too. Bortle 5 for me and a 5" telescope. Need to have another go tonight.

So no real benefit over the Rigel then if it needs to be stuck on too. Just thought that if it used the other mount it might be a little more sturdy. Having fun now with deliveries. Harrisons are saying 10 days, although say it's in stock? Not being that great with communication, which makes me nervous at this time. RVO were upfront and said it will be around 7-10 days but shipped directly. Might hold on, sat hovering over the button..

Had to sell something to balance the books so ordering the Bresser today. Just comparing the Rigel and the Telrad, is there a benefit with the Telrad John? Would it not slide into the shoe the opposite side of the finder scope?

Well at least I'm not on my own in my initial disappointment, and so I did blame my basic 'starter scope' ( SW 130,) which I left alone for 4 years after those first few months. But I do want to understand. So I'm back, reading whatever I can and upgrading a bit to help. The basics are so important, so grateful to have this to ponder.

Thanks chaps for a really useful post. I'm only just finding my way around and some of it is slotting into place, but there's many years of learning to do, which really is the part that will keep me interested.

So you've just stuck it down how it comes and it falls off occasionally? Assume it's just 3M tape?