Franklin

People are generally sociable animals and clubs catering for all interests are popular, but ultimately astronomy is a loners pursuit, just you, the stars and some expensive glass. Any newbies looking for advice can get lots of it on forums like SGL.

15 hours ago, Mr Spock said:

Besides, I wouldn't join any club that would have me as a member... 

LOL...... Groucho!

The BEST astro club in the UK is right here on SGL.

15 hours ago, Wanderers said:

then the committee decide on my suitability. 

Never heard of this before! Are you sure it's an astro club and not some kind of masonic order in disguise!

5 minutes ago, woldsman said:

Yes, I need one of those things. Think they are called altitude t bolts. 

You won't be able to get an original unless it's salvaged from broken down SP. There are machine workers who advertise on Ebay who will make you a replica bolt with the Tommy Bar but you would have to send them the specs. Any bolt with the right thread and length will work, eye-bolt are good and can be turned via the eye, that's probably the cheapest option.

Wayback Machine (archive.org)

This is the catalogue for the GOTO 3" refractor, yours looks like the 60mm version. It should have nice Japanese optics at around F15, good find.

2 hours ago, mikeDnight said:

I'll throw another option into the mix which does have slow motions - the Vixen APZ from Bresser UK. 

Great choice and the free-stop and slow-motion controls are on another level. I use my APZ with an SD81S but I've used it in the past with the SD103S F7.7 and it performed flawlessly. More expensive coming from Vixen but you get what you pay for in this world.

How about a different route, maybe.... Celestial Observation Technician. Yes.... that sounds very important!

As old astronomers pass and enter the starry realms for the final time the interest in books will decline. A most unfortunate thing but the younger generations of astronomers can now get all the info they need at the touch of a button or the swipe of screen, sad but true.

If the finder bracket goes back at a slightly different angle the alignment will be out a touch but it really isn't a problem because realigning a finder literally takes a few seconds of your observing time. Just point the main scope at Polaris and then center up in the finder with the adjustment screws. I find that I have to this quite a bit in my observing sessions because I'm always knocking my head against the finder😁.

49 minutes ago, F15Rules said:

a real gentleman and all round top notch fellow..

I've never been called that before! Wow! Great to meet you Dave and I'm glad she's in good hands and hope you get some clear skies soon.

2 minutes ago, Mr Spock said:

It's very tempting and desirable, but, it just leads me back to the same issue. It would need a bigger mount than I have and would negate the portability and light weight aspect of the FC-100. 

If I want more aperture I have my 12", if I want quick set up I have the FC-100. I'm settled with what I have 

Not being funny Michael but you're actually starting to sound like Mr. Spock!

Obtaining that "dream setup" is great but things can change in life and if that means it's not getting the use it deserves then moving it on is the best course imo. You can always buy it back later down the line!

4 minutes ago, John said:

While it is sad to part with a much appreciated piece of equipment it is sometimes the correct decision to make. I parted with my great 12 inch dobsonian last year, that I had owned and used for over a decade. I sometimes miss it but it was the right thing to do. I will probably part with more scopes in due course and it is quite possible that my wonderful 130mm F/9.2 LZOS triplet will be the next to go. As long as they go to an appreciative new home, that can make better use of them, that's all we can ask.

I think it is better to make a thoughtful but pro-active decision than to let things languish and gather dust. That is probably sadder still.

As ever, the voice of wisdom😁.

47 minutes ago, mikeDnight said:

I was thinking that may be you should buy it Stu. Imagine what an amazing binocular it would make when paired with yours. 😈

 

This has been done with a pair of Vixen FL102S's.

Traditional 7x50 porros with their 7mm EP have been the goto handheld astro bino forever, the 7x50 marine binoculars with IF mentioned above are generally very good quality and rugged too. The low magnification and wide fov make them No 1 for handheld astro. With age your maximum EP will shrink (along with other things😁) and so this is why you hear the 10x50 (with an EP of 5mm) recommended. But that extra x3 mag, handheld, can turn your vista into a sea of fireflies rather than pinpoint stars. Stepping away from the older, bulky designs I picked up a pair of 6.5x32ed, IF roofs and I can honestly say that they are the best astro bins, for low-power, widefield, handheld that I've ever looked through. Small, light, massive fov, at x6.5 steady as a rock and IF. Absolutely superb, the Vixens are a bit pricey but I'm sure there are similar models out there for a bit less. Compared to the old porros this is a no-brainer, everyone who looks through my bins say "wow!". I think they retailed for close to £400 but I was lucky and got mine for £150 secondhand. Keepers!

The ninth planet was discovered in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh. In 2006 Pluto had it's planetary status revoked when astronomers found that there were many more smaller objects out beyond the orbit of Neptune in the Kuiper belt. 

10 minutes ago, LondonNeil said:

Or can anyone tell me where to find 2" plugs and caps please?

FLO sell them I think and they are a good idea. Packets of silica gel are a good too.

Brass Monkeys!

The seeing this evening so far has been exceptional, the views of the lunar terminator are breath taking. The shadows cast by the peaks of the mountains are just magical and give such a sense of 3D height, amazing! Been out for a couple of hours, Moon and Jupiter. In for a warm and a Guinness then out for some more fun now Orion has gained some altitude.

Glad you're enjoying the IF 7x50's Dave, I thought they were stunning. I believe Vixen produced a 10x70 version as well back in the 90's but I've never managed to pick a sample up. These 7x50's were Vixens answer to a marine binocular back in the day and have superb optics and a very robust build quality. As you say, a touch on the heavy side but built to last, which they have. Look after those, they're special👍.

There are a number of "Lunar Tours" set out in the "The Backyard Astronomers Guide" (Dickinson and Dyer 4th edition).

1 hour ago, F15Rules said:

Just GREAT to be out under the stars though after a lengthy lay off..👍😊

Indeed, despite the cold, being able to stargaze is good for the soul.

MORE clear skies please!

Shorts and crocs? In this weather? You're insane! Fair-play😁

I had clear skies earlier and was out with the 115 looking at Jove and some of the usual suspects but was dressed like I was about to embark on a Himalayan expedition.

Nice to have some clear skies again, despite the cold.

16 minutes ago, Mr Spock said:

I'm almost 66, have a slipped disc and other 'weaknesses', and I can move it from the shed to the patio without too much difficulty.

You can lift heavy double-glazed patio doors as well, so a 12" dob is nothing!

Those Baader Helical focusers are very useful, I have two and sometimes place one before the diagonal to allow rotation of the viewing angle, neat!