Pixies

I'm wanting to start dipping my toes into EEVA with SharpCap and live-stacking, and so have just purchased a new ASI585MC camera. I've been doing some test runs in daylight using my old ST80 and find I need some additional extension to get focus.

I can put the camera with 1.25" adapter into the diagonal and just get focus (inwards) but it looks awfully unstable.

I've tried using a 40cm T2 extender directly attached to the visual back but that's not long enough. I had this lying around in a box of nick-nacks in my Astro man-drawer:

Now, I can get more T2 extension and reach focus that way. But it's lacking any way to rotate the camera without unscrewing, plus there's nowhere to place a filter ( I'd want to use a Baader Semi-APO at least). I think there are various attachments to allow a rotator and insert a filter in the chain, but at some expense.

Another option is this (from FLO):

Which would attach to the camera using the T2 thread allow me to insert it into the scope's visual back using the 1.25" barrel - which can also take a 1.25" filter. However, I'm not sure if having the small filter at that distance would cause vignetting?

The final and simplest option would be the more prosaic 1.25" extenders and use the 1.25" adapter on the camera (with the filter), but I can't find any long enough.

Any suggestions? I guess this is all bread-and-butter to you AP bods, but it's all new to me,

Cheers.

On 24/10/2022 at 16:37, cajen2 said:

Didn't know you were an imager, Neil!

Dipping my toes in a little EEA/EEVA (or whatever it's called). Don't panic, visual is my first love.... (queue John Miles)

More FLO packing peanuts for me too. Hidden beneath:

My 8" Bresser dob fits along the back seat of my VW Up. For those in the states - this is not a big car, you can't even get 3 adults in the back seat:

However, the base needs to go in the passenger seat unless you break it down.

There is a similar discussion to this (washed out Jupiter) in the most recent edition of the Actual Astronomy podcast.

I shared this recently, but worth doing again:

Plus for some comparisons:

https://youtu.be/SpVwN21X2QA

But it does so come down to what you want to observe and your own situation.

HI,

Luckily we're al off to Playa Blanca in  Lanzarote for a week, next week! First holiday in 3 years, so really looking forward to it.

We've been in the past , but that was before I was seriously into astro. So may I ask whether anyone has any experience/recommendations for things to do (astronomy related). I'll take some binos but can't really take any scopes, so really looking for good places for binocular viewing, or whether there is a recommended public observatory? I've googled as best I can, but Lanzarote always appears to be a bit behind-the-times when it comes to the web presence of tourist attractions.

Cheers.

Vixen LVW 22mm too!

Although I'm quite taken with my new (to me) Nirvana 28mm 2"

I've just put in an order with FLO for the ASI version. I bit steeper, I know, but I have an idea I might end up with an ASIAir before long.

here's a good video from the lovely Mr Ting, which shows the standard various dob sizes:

8 hours ago, IB20 said:

Does anyone know what this translates to at the eyepiece? Jupiter apparent size is currently 49 arcseconds, next year around opposition it will be similar. Out of opposition it can reach 42 arcseconds, even down to 33 arcseconds in daytime. How small or large will it appear is it when its opposition is at its minima? 🤔

Here's a plot from https://blog.michael.franzl.name/2016/11/30/apparent-diameter-plot-jupiter-2017-2026/

And from http://www.astro.sg/2012/11/jupiter-opposition-3-dec-2012.html

A Cheshire collimating eyepiece followed by a star-test is fine. A laser can be quicker, esp in the dark or for longer tubes - but as you say, you need a well collimated laser.

That second pic. Most modern Newts will have the vanes central but secondary offset.

As per the second pic, just get the green/red/blue circles concentric and doughnut/dot aligned. The offset should look after itself.

Seems appropriate - as he was given to Perseus by Athena (in the film Clash of the Titans). It was Athena who stuck Andromeda, Perseus, Cepheus and Cassiopeia into the sky as constellations.

A shadow transit of Europa starts around 11:45 pm tonight. However, just to make it more interesting, it will pretty much be following the GRS as it transits across the disk.

Potchefstroom is around 27 degrees South latitude. The planets will be significantly higher than what we see in the UK, so less atmosphere to observe through.

However, you have the Jetstream in the Southern hemisphere to worry about! 

Have just arrived back home - the campervan survived (just)!

Had a great astrocamp. The first night was spectacular. My best ever view of the Veil nebula and the first absolutely definite view of M33 with proper direct vision and some structure. The second night was damp and with considerably more alcohol involved. I'd never tried Spanish brandy before - and probably won't again! 

Great to see everyone. The tomato bros, well one of them, came and introduced himself. @cajen2 - sorry I didn't see you when I left this morning. You must have been hiding!

Now just have to face unloading and unpacking!

4 minutes ago, tomato said:

Myself and Tomatobro are still here (the guys with the 70's fold up chairs), we are down in the bottom field so the imaging paraphernalia doesn't mess up your night vision.

Here is 80 mins on the Dark Shark from last night, hastily processed in the field. Thanks to the AstroCamp team for the loan of a USB stick to get the subs onto a laptop that had the processing software installed.👏

 

I'm in they old Bongo in the corner of the lower field where the road/path comes up from the bottom field. Say 'hi' if you're passing 

Last night was great. Cloudy up to midnight but then very clear. Seeing was pretty poor but transparency was good. Managed the Veil  well with the Baader Oiii 8mm  filter. Andromeda was great and M32 and M110 very clear. Even M33 (Triangulum) was bright in direct vision in the dob. Lots of faint stuff!

Good to hang out with @cajen2, @ScouseSpaceCadet and @Live_Steam_Mad. Anyone else here?

Forecast not so good for next 2 nights, but fingers crossed we get some clear spells! Not as cold as last spring!

That Vixen is a 105, btw. 

I'm parked up at a campsite near Garstang - half way to Astrocamp. 

The skies here are quite dark (21.1 from CO) and I can see the Milky way overhead. Which is nice.

I'll also be bringing the big guns, if anyone wants a shot:

Everyone ready? What are you bringing?

I'll bring the 8" Bresser dob and the Vixen A80M on an AP mount (for the planets).

And a few beers

Thanks everyone. The 585 it is, then.

Mother! Time to sell more children!

51 minutes ago, Xgaze said:

Skywatcher Heritage 150p Dob.

 

A 5mm will give you x150. That'll be fine with the gas giants. If you have a Barlow, the 8mm will go down to x190-ish.

41 minutes ago, Xgaze said:

First view of Mars at 5:30am this morning.
Was a little underwhelmed, I have to say! but the seeing was pretty bad so much wobble. Although, I was just about able to make out the dark shape in the middle of Mars. 
Jupiter was okay, I kept swithing between the two. My eyes adjusted and seemed to improve a little more of the blured detail on Mars. 
Still quite pleased as it was my first view of the red planet. Looking forwards to December when it's closest!
I wonder if it's worth saving for a 5mm EP? currently using an 8mm BST. What do people think?

Thanks,

T

What scope  do you have?