Pixies

I was lucky enough to be able to use a pair under dark skies earlier this year. They're great, aren't they!

Nope. I concur!

Yep - that looks like M32. In a low-power, wide-field, it's easy to mistake it as a star.

Christmas came early! Used from Japan, incl both motors.

- are we not going to see the sketches?

Have been spending some time on the gas giants tonight. 8" dob and some LVW EPs and a Baader Neo filter. Saturn pretty low over some nearby roofs, so seeing generally poor, with occasional flashes of clarity. Managed to spot some of the moons: Titan and Rhea both clear, Tethys with averted vision mainly but direct occasionally, and Dione also occasionally with a.v. Now the seeing for Jupiter was frequently great. I was getting detail in both equatorial belts with a large festoon showing from the N eq band into the equatorial zone. There was a white oval 'gap' in the N eq belt to the western side. Details in the tropical zones and the temperate belts were showing too. I'm going back out after a beer. Pleasantly warm outside still.

Looks pretty similar!

As James said: "Sit down"! I find it really helps. You can stay at the eyepiece for 10-15 minutes. Avoid dark-adaption too. I keep the kitchen lights on and look up occasionally, otherwise the view is just too bright and 'bleached' out. Just getting comfy and relaxed means you can see more - not just with planets. But with the bright exterior planets (M, J & S), being able to sit and stare for a long while means you can catch the moments of good seeing. with an 8" dob, I've seen dark spots, barges, etc. not just bands. Of course, if the seeing is rubbish, so will the view be. A big dob will have a lot of atmosphere to look through!

I installed Sky Safari Plus 6 on an old Kindle. I think they are pretty much the same app? I used this method: https://www.howtogeek.com/232726/how-to-install-the-google-play-store-on-your-amazon-fire-tablet/

Not sure about a sign of age. My teenage kids are more than capable of sleeping through their alarms!

Clouds came over around midnight but when they cleared, the transparency improved significantly. Managed the Veil and the North American 'wall' before I hit the pit. I set the alarm for 3am but slept through it and awoke at 7am with everything still outside and covered in dew. 🙄

Another of @Franklin's cast-offs!

My dob is out cooling too. Will be spending some time around Cygnus, I think. If it stays clear, there's a shadow transit from around 3am this morning (Io) - I might set an early alarm.

Oh - if it's a new ring every 7-or-so years, it sounds like a good target for an animation.

One to keep your eye on for January: http://www.aerith.net/comet/catalog/2022E3/2022E3.html

Just seen this. I'll be driving down from Edinburgh and passing by your way. I'll be in a campervan, so will have some room for you and kit. I can offer a lift - although I would be uncomfortable if you were solely relying on me. This spring I had to leave a day early due to family emergencies, which might still be a risk.

If you are looking for a pitch with electrical hook-up, the only ones left are in the bottom field.

The HEQ5 tripod has an M10 bolt (as well as the alignment pin). The AZ Gti mount has a 3/8" bolt. However, there is an adapter: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-star-adventurer/astro-essentials-3-8-photo-adapter-for-heq5-az5-tripod.html

Galaxy season in Spring

Not up in Scotland ! 😢

That reminds me! I better book out a 'meeting' in the work calendar for tomorrow afternoon!

Don't get me started on the Doors' "Touch Me" Now, I'm going to love you 'Til the heavens stop the rain I'm going to love you 'Til the stars fall from the sky For you and I I love the song, but that line makes me wince.

You just need a nice 3.7mm Ethos to go with them!

yep - sorry, replied to Zermelo's post before reading yours.

I'll need to try it next time with a hood over my head and focuser. I assume it's from local light pollution.