skyhog

I'm extremely thankful that the rules prohibit the usual topics that cause so much bile out there. This really is an oasis in that regard. I have no social media footprint whatsoever for that very reason. Keep up the good work, all that maintain this site...👍

Had a look with the 20x80 binos last night. Very easy to find, definite hint of a tail. Well worth taking a look at this if anyone hasn't already. Not that the weather has allowed that lately...🥺

Just come across this. That's a beautiful image, well done.

Stunning 

On 21/02/2024 at 01:16, Franklin said:

4" achro for me. Why? Because decades ago I was brainwashed by Patrick Moore into believing that a 6" reflector was about as good as a 3" refractor so obviously the 4" frac must be better. Also, I believe telescopes are devices for looking at things and looking into the side of scope at 90deg from the object I'm looking at just seems silly. Sorry Sir Isaac.

A burst of nostalgia reading that, the best example of false equivalence you are likely to come across. 

Stunning images. Will have to revisit on a bigger screen. 

36 minutes ago, Stuart1971 said:

Hello,

I de forked my LX90 some years ago, and it was a pretty simple job, not sure how different the LX200 is, the only bit of advice there is to make sure you loosen the screws in both fork arms, this allows the tube to be pulled free much more easily, and more importantly stops it getting scratched while removing…

It was a 10 minute job.

This may help

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrTELZQnYak

As for the CEM70, I have just got one, and  fitted in my obsy, but I am purely an imager, I have not used in anger as of yet, but from the research I did, which was pretty extensive, it should be a great mount…and probably perfect for your needs.

Thanks for that stuart👍

Well it had to happen one day and the time is now here. I have an obsy down the garden that houses an LX200 12 gps that's given me sterling service for nearly twenty years, it looks like the electronics in the drive have finally given up the ghost, they have been falling over a little while and I always intended to remount the OTA and that time is now. 

Yes, I could dig in and look at repairing things but I really fancy an updated mount. So the question is really what mount to go with. I have a pier in the obsy so I really only need a spacer fabricating when I get the new head dimensions.  I'm not an AP guy so I'm not looking to get a a high end affair, though I'm sure a gem would be a vast improvement on a fork if I fancied a dabble. Dave at FLO has sent me a few links based on the weight of the OTA and I've had a look through those. The CEM70 caught my eye, would like folks opinions on that. The choices seem to be rather large to say the least. The biggest issue seems to be availability, I really would like to back in the astro saddle as soon as possible.

Also interested in the deforking issue, from those that have gone down this route. Seems reasonably straightforward but maybe a few pointers from those that have done it.

 

 

Yes it could I agree, thanks for the heads up. I notice in the programme info he is listed as comedian, amateur astronomer and astrophotographer. I knew he had an interest but it appears he's one of us, makes the show even more of a watch...

Nice image,  my only thought would be the light nights in July from Northumberland though...

Not too shabby for the worst. I'd forgotten how closed the rings are at the moment on their way to edge on in 2025 so great you posted that.

Really showing my age when I start to measure my life in Saturn's ring apparitions. 😲

You should be proud of that, a great advert for the hobby well done....👍👍

Never watch the one show, but I'll certainly be watching this. Nice to see our hobby on prime time tv and it doesn't come more prime time than the one show. 

Yes, that would be the same thing. My only thought would be that it would be difficult to fully heat seal an observatory and the only reason for doing this in the first place would be to sit in comfort against the outside elements. I've been doing that so long it's almost part of the experience, though, to be fair we don't have the winters a lot of our fellow forum members endure...😁

Came across this earlier, initially thought it was an April fools joke, perhaps it is....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/65154705

You already have the answers to your question.

This does remind of an advert that appeared regularly in old s&t magazines. You could buy a film that effectively sealed the slit in an observatory dome. I think it was mylar. Not seen that since though...

Rare clear night yesterday. A quick shot with the dslr on the wo66 to show mars close to M35. 10, 20 sec images stacked. 

Nice, must have been a great visual treat. Sadly having the worst weather possible here....

Would you be hoping to do this with the native F10? The biggest problem you would have was finding a suitable guide star with the OAG. Unless you are using the scope to mount a camera or piggybacking a smaller scope and using the lx10 to guide as you say.

I got the 20x80 bins on it last night, I would have rolled the obsy roof back but it was blowing a gale. I must say it's incredibly well placed for Northern observers. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quick grab with the zwo385 with a x2 barlow on the  Lx200 12gps. Not great but one of my favourite craters ....

 

 

Excellent. That ion tail is fantastic. True seasonal dedication in getting that.

Excellent. Incredible detail...

Very nice indeed. 

Cracking image, and thanks for allowing me to see Mars,  permanently sat under fog here.....