IB20

Russian tourists checking out the cathedral?

I’m in East Midlands and can start seeing it just about 10:30pm.

Oh they’re great. I recently purchased some binos from them and they were delivered the next day. I’m sure plenty of long standing SGL members will vouch for Rother Valley Optics. There’s a review section for suppliers on this site which I’m sure will confirm this!

That’s mint! Have you just knocked that up or is wood working your vocation?

You could get the 150p heritage for £199! https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/skywatcher-heritage-150p-flex-tube-dobsonian-telescope.html

On FLO website for eyepieces they have a field of view simulator tool which shows the framing of M31 in lower magnifications. Just enter your scope make and the eyepiece you’re thinking of getting and it’ll show you what would fit in the FOV.

I’ve been looking at it through 8* bins for the last few session, think I need to wait until late autumn for it to be at favourable views for my scope. I’d probably say 32mm though!

Have you thought about some binoculars and a tripod? Cheaper than a scope, very simple and as I’ve found recently, give really fantastic views of the night sky.

It’s one of my nightly views at the minute, even in small bins it’s a fascinating object. It’s jaw dropping to view something outside of our galaxy. Viewing a smudge in the sky and thinking about the trillion stars and half a billion planets it contains is mind blowing. It’s a shame none of us will be around to see what happens to the night sky when it collides with the Milky Way! 🤯

Since getting my telescope in May I’ve had the pleasure of spending most of the time with Bootes, Ophiuchus, Serpens, Hercules and Lyra as I’m south facing. Tonight I’ve plonked myself on a camping chair and I’m just learning the new constellations as they roll round the sky with my 8* bins and a few beers. It’s fantastic; for anyone who has never done this, I recommend it whole heartedly. Ain’t Delphinus cute?!

Second evening viewing the comet, I could look at it all night. Such an incredibly beautiful celestial object.

The comet is really something incredible. I’ve had a fantastic night with both scope and new bins and am now going to bed with a right grin on my chops. 😁

Absolutely delighted with my new bins (Helios Mistral WP6 8x42 ED). Lovely crystal clear colours and wonderfully light. They’ve already been worth every penny with some great views of neowise, Andromeda, Antares and lots of other areas of the sky that I’ve not been able to get at with my dob. Chuffed to bits.

Quick iPhone at the EP job. Beautiful.

I’m looking at it now, it is simply staggering. Just wonderful. ☄️

Just in time for a break in the weather. Let’s see this ☄️ then.

A much lighter wallet. *quickly scarpers*

I recently purchased a 200p Skyliner and am delighted with it. I’ve added a telrad and have the full set of BST Starguiders. From the short time I’ve been able to use them they’ve really made a difference. Elevating it will really help and it’s something I’m looking into now. Along with a trolley platform so I can move it around my kitchen for indoor viewing of some lower targets. You’re going to love it! I was gobsmacked when I saw M57 for the first time.

Thanks to all the replies, none seem to think it’s a bad idea. I’ve decided to take a punt on them as they get good reviews for terrestrial viewing. Hopefully arrive for some good comet viewing later this week!

I managed 5 mins last night in tricky conditions with 3.2mm BST on the moon. Stunning views! I’m so looking forward for the opportunity to have a proper session when it’s higher in the sky.

I’d like to upgrade my naff 10x50 Celestrons I bought yonks ago with a pair with better optics. I have found 10x OK but there is a bit of wobble so thinking maybe reduce the weight and mag would help this? I was looking at these https://www.firstlightoptics.com/all-binoculars/helios-mistral-wp6-42mm-binoculars.html, probably the ED version if a decent improvement? I want them primarily for quick, wide field views of asterisms, easy doubles, constellations, meteor showers, coat hanger etc. Does anyone own a pair of these or should I try any other recommended pairs (similar budget +10%)? Thanks!

I have just fashioned up this for my 200p. It’s very scruffy but I’ll say it’s a prototype. Found it quite hard to keep the film completely flat but it worked and I got to see a complete white cue ball! ⚪️ The film flexes through air pressure when the lid and dust cap are taken on and off the scope so I’ll be extremely careful to triple check before each use. Doing this method means I have plenty of AstroSolar film from 1 x A4 sheet for replacing the filter however. Really don’t think you’d ever need the full aperture on this scope. Also the white mask is incredibly important as the lid will heat up extremely quickly without it!

@Dannomiss see above, as @ScouseSpaceCadet says it’s not overly rugged but aesthetically nice and houses them great with the pluck foam surround. Cheap as chips too. A great find from @Barry-W-Fenner. Apols for the tags!

😁 room for the 5mm too which is in the system. But yeah, it’s my fault for the clouds. 🙃

Nice one. Have just ordered too. 👍🏻