Gmx76

Replying to an old post but I'm in Blackwater. Are there any meets / clubs active at the moment?  Would be good to meet some people and get a few tips.  Thanks Greg

hi I've been observing for a few months now and started a bit of EEVA (when the clouds clear). So I'm not a total beginner but feel I could benefit from joining a club to learn how to get the best out of my equipment. Are there any clubs currently running in Camberley/Farnborough area (or are planning to open up again soon)? Cheers Greg

Clear night tonight and Jupiter rose around 9pm. My 6yo boy was still awake and so he saw Jupiter for the first time with me. Even counted the 4 moons.  Now he wants to be a scientist!

Thanks Bill.  Can anyone advise on collimation  for this scope?  Firstly, can you tell from the picture if its collimated or not? Total newbie so heard a lot but never tried collimation myself.  It has a fixed primary so I guess I could only do the secondary? 

Nice thanks

Hi, I have the Starquest 130P which has a fixed primary. I have never collimated anything in my life. So what would be the best method to test and collimate  this scope please? Thanks  Greg

yes i thought it was a bit off, no i don't, can you recommend one? 

Hi, been trying to see this for a while with my cam after first got a glimpse through the EP a little while ago.

Managed to get a nice view through my Starquest 130P and GPCAM2 290C, even picks out some of the colours.

Not the best pic I am sure but as just wanted to share what I viewed tonight.

No processing as such, only live stacking in Altair Capture. Cheers

Interesting,  what  thickness did you order? Are your screw holes threaded?

Good idea,  was thinking along those lines.  Thanks for the links

So I emailed OVL and they weren't aware of a way to do this, anyway thanks for looking.

On 16/07/2020 at 20:34, robhatherton said:

I’m not sure but is this the kind of thing? https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/astro-essentials-3-8-photo-adapter-for-heq5-az5-tripod.html

The top looks good but I can't see how to fit it onto mount,  see photos above.

Just seen it near Talitha in UMa. A lovely sight even just by naked eye. 

1 hour ago, robhatherton said:

I’m not sure but is this the kind of thing? https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/astro-essentials-3-8-photo-adapter-for-heq5-az5-tripod.html

The top looks good but I can't see how to fit it onto mount,  see photos above.

Forgot photos! 

hi, i have a Starquest mount and would like to get the AZ-GTI for goto. I know it sits nicely in a Star Adventurer base for EQ mode.  But as I have the Starquest base already  I figured there might be an adapter for the 3/8 inch screw fitting for the AZ-GTI? See below. I'm thinking a plate with correct screw holes in place plus the 3/8 screw itself to mount the AZ. Does anyone know if something exists?  Tried Google but didn't quite find what I need. Thanks

So are the clouds🤣

total cloud for me too last night, still previous nights were good. When is Jupiter next in opposition?

6 hours ago, Mariner74 said:

Galilean moons, with background accompanying star were like little jewels

Love this description! 

9 hours ago, bomberbaz said:

Yeah it should work but check before you buy that the fittings are ok. You would also need the star adventurer wedge https://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-star-adventurer/skywatcher-star-adventurer-equatorial-wedge-white.html 

You might find it a little wobbly due to the tripod not being the best and so it might be worth filling your tripod legs with sand or hanging a 5kg bag of sand (or similar) from underneath the tripod to add stability. Also only extend the legs as far as is reasonably needed when doing eeva.

Then you would need to flash the mount itself for EQ mode which is relatively easy but make sure you follow a youtube tutorial first, that's what I did and I made sure I really understood exactly the process. Simple though it is you really don't want to be screwing this part up. 

That's a great help,  thanks for that. Have to wait a couple of months till I spend more money but I think this sounds like a good bet. 

9 hours ago, bomberbaz said:

Hello again Gmx76 (name).

I have used it in eq mode a lot. Works very well too. 

Used it in this mode with a number of ota's including a 80/600 frac, 127/1500 mak and a Lunt LS35. Also used it on a mini guide scope. All performed well on the mount. 

TIP: Get the mount head only and use it with a 1.75" steel mount or better. The difference in stability is considerable. 

Steve

PS. You may need an extension pillar too. 

 

Thanks  Steve, good advice. Initial plan was to mount it on my EQ2 mount to get the angle,  do you know if this will work?  Would definitely want to get a better tripod at some point.  Thanks Greg

Those videos are cheesey but also helpful. I have the Starquest 130p and I've had similar tracking issues. To begin with I made a couple of newbie errors such as using the slowmo controls to get to where I want to, then turning on the motor.  Only to realise after a while I hadn't engaged the clutch.  Also when you get that bit right,  remove the RA slow-mo cable or the thumb screw can rub on the motor. Seems to be a design issue  could do with just a couple mm gap. After I got all that right it seemed to work fine, for a while.  But started to slip or jump and did some weird things.  Seem to have a dodgy motor so requested a swap. 

I'm glad you said that as I have my eyes on that.  I have the Starquest 130p which is a nice little scope and I think weighs in around 4kg though not actually weighed it myself. I do visual and EEVA and like the look of it as it supports eq mode but isn't such a lump as an eq3 or above by the looks of it. What scope are you using and have you tried eq mode? 

I'm new to astronomy, I bought a 130 reflector a few months ago which has been great for an intro but I'm already wanting a bit more.  Plus I don't have goto as yet.  Mount will be next upgrade. 

Great viewing around midnight to 1.30am last night.  Jupiter and Saturn both nicely visible.  Thought I could make out a couple of moons of Saturn, possibly Titan and Dione looking at the position?Unfortunately was beaten by technology to get any decent pics.  But great viewing none the less. 

Great views last night,  was confused on the number of moons also.