Pixies

Looking to replace the 6x30 plastic straight finder that comes withe the Bresser 8" dob with a 10x50 RACI-type finder. I'm new to this and have been finding it hard to see the cross-hairs in the current 6x30. Is it much easier to have an illuminated reticle when using the finder? Or are there drawbacks? Obviously the brightness needs to be adjustable and low enough not to affect your dark-adaption. Thanks

The manual says it's the friction screw, to adjust the resistance of the adjusters. The fixing screws, that hold the tube in place, are smaller and on top of the body.

Does that mean I have 2 faulty brackets!

Thanks guys. M51 was at 70deg alt, so made for much better viewing. M81/82 - right, that's Sunday night's target!

Thanks. Regarding the plastic tabs, the holes drilled into the alt bearings for the fixing bolts only allow said bolts to pass through as above. The holes are larger on one side than the other, so the wider shank part of the bolt has to be on the outside, along with the tabs. I couldn't set it up as you suggest, as the bolts won't fit. BTW, these are the new alt bearings with the white surface - perhaps the design has changed? Thanks for the advice about the tube rings. I'll get that fixed.

Morning all. I'm still buzzing from the last 3 hours fun. I've been observing with binoculars for years, but tonight was the first night with my new 8" dob (Bresser), and it went so much better than I expected. Bearing in mind that in Edinburgh now, astronomical twilight is the best I can get. It's Bortle-6 here too, with some nearby streetlights and railway yards to the south, with lots of spotlights. Anyway. I started with Leo. Always fancied finding the triple - but no luck. So I had a shot at M13 in Hercules. I have seen this in bins plenty of times, so knew exactly where to find it. And boom! Using an 18mm EP (x67) is was a lovely blob, I could make out individual stars, even against the light background, averted viewing helped. I tried my 6mm plossl (x200) and I was surprised how nice it looked. Really 'glittering' even though it was rushing past the view so quickly. Then I tried M92, but couldn't find it. It was still hard to find much in the finderscope, let alone do any star hopping - not for my noob skillz. Next I had a look at double double. Easy enough to find, but with the 6mm, I could only split one of the pairs. Not sure if it was the viewing, my eyes, the plossl, or just lack of experience. It's not my best eyepiece, though. Anyway - nearby was M57 the Ring Nebula, so I thought I'd have a shot, not really knowing what to expect. Wow! It's a nebula, it looks like a ring! It was so clear, both in 18mm and 6mm eyepieces. This was the highlight of the evening for me. I really didn't think it would be so obvious in these conditions. OK - I was cooking on gas now, and at 1am the sky was as dark as it was going to get. I thought I'd try the Leo Triple again. I got more comfortable and took my time star-hopping using Sky Safari. Still no luck though, trying the 25mm and 18mm EPs. I am very confident I was looking at the correct locations, everything matching-up with Sky Safari, but nope, nothing. It was getting low on the horizon and the LP from the rail yards was obvious. So for a final shot, I thought I'd try M51, the Whirlpool galaxy. Straight up, almost; star-hopping was a little tricky but I took my time and after a few attempts I found it! Just a couple of pale 'clouds' with averted vision, but definitely the Real McCoy! Can't wait until we get some dark skies again. The Leo Triple will have to wait until next spring, I guess.

Here's the Bresser 8" I got to match. First night's observing under my belt - I'll post something in the Beginners Observation section. I'm still buzzing

Blue Loctite Threadlock. Don't use red, as you'll never get it off again!

Hi from an ex-Worthinger (well, Goring) I left back in the 80s. I remember the street lights would turn out after midnight(ish), and I could see the Milky-way from the back garden. Is it still like that?

I can find M13 in a pair of 10x50 binoculars in Bortle-6 skies. Not big and quite faint, but there. It'll be a great target. My first telescope arrives tomorrow!

Not sure how I'm going to post a picture when my Bresser arrives without feeling ashamed about the state of my garden. 12 months of a new dog (from puppy) have destroyed it!

I'm up for that. Mine should be arriving next week! Clear Outside is showing some 'green' mid-week, although astronomical darkness ends too. Full moon too. So I guess my first observing will be lunar! Better get a moon filter!

I've just found out that Edinburgh Council is at the start of a scheme to replace ALL Edinburgh City streetlights with new LED ones. I came across it when I was looking at where to complain about a local lamp which illuminates my back garden. There's a timetable (obviously now delayed) here, for those interested: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/file/26122/proposed-timetable Unfortunately, my area is the last on the list and was going to get done next summer, even before the lockdown. They claim: typically use 60% less energy therefore they reduce our carbon footprint light up immediately reduce light pollution and the orange sky glow will almost disappear create less light spillage and it's better directed onto roads and pavements, creating a better environment for birds and wildlife I've seen a few local streets that were done 2 years ago as part of the pilot (I didn't realise there was a plan to do the whole city). I must admit they do appear pretty dim and a few elderly locals aren't keen. However, if all street lights are to be replaced like this, I imagine the overall effect to local light pollution will be very substantial. However, I guess the new lamps will stop existing light-pollution filters being effective? Does anyone have any experience of similar schemes elsewhere?

That looks great - a bit canon-like! Is that a magnetic knife-block?

I might be spending the summer trying to get the council to change the streetlight in the lane at the end of my back garden to a less-bright LED downlight.

Hi Steve, I'm getting the same scope - in fact, just ordered it today (looking out at the rain). Have bought a couple of EPs from the classifieds here, and thinking about a Rigel/Telrad. I'll see how things go with the 6x30 finder that comes with it. You getting it from FLO? I'd prob better get a red torch. But first the streetlight in the lane at the end of the garden needs to have a little accident! Keep in touch and let's compare notes. Used to live in Norwich. Neil.

How do you find the Rigel? I see some comments that it doesn't 'stick' as well as a Telrad. It looks a lot neater.

I've noticed at FLO that the 8" Bresser Dobs now have a 6x30 finder, rather than the old RDF. Have their specs changes in any other ways, recently?

Does a barlow have an impact on viewing angle? Say - would a 60deg 25mm EP become equivalent to a 60deg 12.5mm EP when barlowed?

Quick question regarding the larger planets. This is all based on on more recent interest in observing (bins), so apologies if I have gotten the wrong end of the stick. Venus is quite high just now and I recall Mars being visible a few years ago even higher in the sky. However, Jupiter and Saturn have both been low in the sky for the past few years. Is their orbital inclination different to the nearer planets? I don't think it is. Is it just that during recent years, the best viewing times have been when they are in opposition during the summer - so low in the sky? If they were in opposition during the winter, they will be higher? In which case, is there an app or website that shows when they will be higher in the sky? Hmmmm - perhaps it's time for bed

Hi Watcher, Sounds good. I'm pulling the trigger and buying a 'scope tomorrow (Bresser Messier 8" Dob). I might take you up on teh offer once lockdown ends - whenever that is. I have an old campervan so can travel OK (and carry the 'scope). BTW - sorry for the clouds about to arrive for the next week! Nearer me, I always thought the Lammermuirs might have some suitable places.

Interested here, too. I'm often in Fife, but based in Edinburgh, so East Lothian would be my main patch. Again, I'm just starting out on this too. Watcher - I hope you don't take this as a thread hijack. What's the recommendations about hitting the great outdoors with your gear? Any recommendations about what to look for, as a good site? I would assume there are known locations that are suitable, far away from nearby roads but safe to hang around with a lot of pricey equipment. Do you all have secret spots that you need a special handshake to find out about? I have visions of being clobbered by a gamekeeper!

Even with 10x50s, if you want to start looking for anything faint and relying on star charts to find them, you'll need a tripod. You can't keep checking chart/app and star-hopping without knowing your bins haven't moved since you last looked through them! So I'd include this in your budget. I'd recommend getting a used beefy Valbon tripod (30+ years old is fine). They might not be what you want to take with you bird watching, but they won't move with some big bins on them!