cwis

On 11/12/2021 at 11:01, Pixies said:

Nice result. I've used the black T-shirt shroud before. It does keep your head warmer!

To confirm it's field curvature, adjust the focus slightly. If you can get the outer stars in focus, with the centre now out of focus, it's field curvature.

Ah ha! Yes - as I adjusted focus a "ring of sharpness" moved outwards or inwards from the centre. So field curvature then.

It's SO different to the dob - there the stars stay sharper (but not sharp sharp!) towards the edge but obviously get more comet shaped...

Love the way the stars in the ST80 "pop" in and out of focus!

20 hours ago, Tiny Clanger said:

Double Cluster and Pleiades, if either or both are around I always have a look at them if I'm using a widefield refractor, never tire of their beauty.

So, is that another convert to the cult of the humble , simple, unpretentious (and above all, cheap ) ST80 then ? 🙂 Welcome !

Heather

Yes! I appear to be part of the collective - mirror diagonal arrives today hopefully!

Thanks again for the help and advice!

12 hours ago, Pixies said:

Blogs - never looked at these before - but saw an entry along the 'side' of the home page. 

Nice reports. The dumbbell REALLY benefits from a UHC or Oiii filter though.

Hi @Pixies! Yeah I wanted somewhere to put my wittering without cluttering up the discussion boards. It makes me take observation notes and sketch a bit, which I've never done before, plus I tend to go outside now with a vague plan...

A filter is next after a replacement for my budget 8-24mm zoom. I use it about 80% of the time so I either need to get a better zoom (it's not very sharp apart from exactly on axis which is frustrating in a dob)  or start buying fixed focal length eyepieces - I only have a 4mm and a 24mm....