Pixies

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!

Thanks everyone. Another question (sorry - but I guess if you are commenting on posts in the 'Beginners' section, then that's cool)

I've seen comments here and elsewhere that with a fast 'scope (this one is f6), one needs better quality eyepieces. Could anyone elaborate on what causes this and also, what one would differentiate a 'better quality' eyepiece. Well, as far a the budget would stretch for a beginner scope.

Cheers

Hi guys,

Just about to pull the trigger on a Bresser Messier 8". I see that it can take 2" eyepieces but comes with an adapter and a 1.25" eyepiece (25mm plossl).

I'll need to decide on which size I stick with, for future purchases. I assume I wouldn't want to mix things up, so that I won't have to double-up on filters, etc. So which is best? 2" or 1.25"?

Could you let me know the advantages and disadvantages of both - when considering the 'scope I'm likely to be using them with?

Many thanks.

Hi all,

I am looking to get my first telescope (although have been viewing with bins for several years). I was going with the usual newbie choice of a Skywatcher 200p Dobsonian, but find that there are none to be found for sale anywhere. I guess the lock-down means that lots of people are finding time to discover new hobbies. It's great that lots of people are now interested, but couldn't they wait until after I had bought a new 'scope! 🙄

Another option is the Bresser 8" Dobsonian, so I'm considering that (although it's a little more expensive). As I'm up in Scotland, the skies are getting pretty light now - so I could wait until August, when there might be quite a few going second-hand! 😉

Anyway, I live in a Bortle 6 region - and there's this blooming street lamp in the lane at the end of the garden, so it's not the darkest around here. Dark skies are pretty close-by and I have an old campervan to help transport things, but I'd really want to do most of my observing from the back garden.

So my question is.... is there a better option for my situation than a large-ish Dobsonian? Would a Mak-Cas be a better choice? I'm not particularly interested in imaging and I don't mind star-hopping to find things, in fact that's half the fun of it, so a GoTo isn't a high priority. DSO are what I like viewing (or trying to view) in my bins. So normally you would think a big Dob would be the most suitable choice for me. But would it be a waste of aperture with all the light pollution around me?

£400-ish budget.

Cheers

14 hours ago, popeye85 said:

Hi Neil. The 200 is a great scope but be prepared that it is a bit bulky if you are transporting it anywhere!

I'm just up the road in Macmerry, East Lothian so if you need a hand with anything or a observing partner give me a shout 👍👍👍

 

P.s I also have the sw 200 so if you want to see what it looks like in the flesh then happy to oblige.

Cheers PopEye,

I have an old campervan - so transport won't be an issue. This lockdown might be for a while, though.

But thanks for the offer of help. There's no Skyliner 200Ps available anywhere for love or money, though. So I might consider a Bresser Messier 200 instead. A little more expensive, but a nicer focuser, I believe.

Hi there.

I have just joined after lurking for several years.  Don't have a scope - just an pair of 10x50 bins which I use regularly and occasionally with a tripod, if I feel like observing something a bit fainter.

Have been thinking about getting a scope for years, and recently having come into a bit more disposable income, decided to go for it - just to find that the Skyliner 200p Dobsonian is now sold-out everywhere! Oh well....

Anyway - 'hi' again. Look out for my noob posts appearing in various 'Beginners' forums. Although, I like to think I know my way around the sky a little better than most (not including you, good readers).

Neil.