globular

Are you on the latest firmware? There was some mention of "SSA Camera causing short run away slews" that was fixed in the latest (Sept 2020) release.

I'm looking at 14mm EPs for use in my 8" Edge HD SCT F/10.5. I need long eye relief for glasses use and so the choice seems to be between Pentax XW 14, Morpheus 14 or Delos 14. New prices for these are £190, £189, £330 - so nothing between the XW and Morpheus and a lot more for the Delos. Reading comments on other threads: XW 14 suffers FC but otherwise is very good optically. I'd have thought in my scope FC would not be an issue..? So I'd get a near perfect view in my scope? Morpheus 14 suffers from some astigmatism at the edge of field in particular. People seem to prefer this aberration over the FC in the XW. But in my scope won't this be worse than the XW? I like the idea of the slightly wider FOV, but not if the extra field has noticeable aberrations in it....? Delos 14 - is it worth the extra? Do I avoid both FC and astigmatism with this EP? Or may be in my "forgiving" scope it doesn't matter which I choose? It would be great to hear from 14mm users - especially in a similar telescope to mine.

Nice sketch For me it's the sketching process - taking extra time at the eyepiece and studying every available detail - that makes sketching so rewarding. The end sketch is a nice record to have as a reminder of the enjoyable sessions but not the reason for doing it. In your case though I don't think you have anything to worry about - definitely more rabbit than cat's bottom!

I'm struggling to get a handle on what you are all on about

Nicely done Cloud kept rolling past here and the jetstream forecast said it was right over head - so I didn't even set up. Kudos to you for making the effort.

I got my C8 from them just a few months ago. Very helpful couple of phone calls with them sorting out some minor issues - they even helped me convince Celestron to update their firmware which was done remarkably promptly. I chose them for the purchase, being the official Celestron distributor, figuring it was the safest route if I needed any ongoing support. I guess I'm going to be on my own now unfortunately 🤔 Wish them well - sounds like a well deserved retirement.

Nice sketch and very nice birthday present!

First and last time that will ever be said? 🤣

And after that the C8 lived long and prospered

I know you're only joking - but there is some maths that shows why this can't happen. Don will correct me if I've got this wrong; but there is a formula that links fov, fl and barrel size (actually field stop (fs)). fov = (fs / fl) * (180/π) so if you want fov=68 with a fl=28 then you need fs = (fov * fl) / (180/π) = 68 * 28 / 57.3 = 33.2 and a 33.2 field stop can't fit inside a 1.25" barrel, which is only about 28mm usable, without bad vignetting caused by the barrel.

Is there a 28mm XW? Or did you mean XL?

I've pondered getting a filter slider... ...so you can slide a filter in and out while looking through the eyepiece. Trouble is it will need a slight focus tweak too so won't be as immediate as we'd like. I might still try it though..... ? Don't give up on your 2 filters trick - I often find some nights are better with and others better without filters - so keep trying for a while longer.

Solid cloud here so I called the whole thing off.

Very nice

Nice sketch Mark - some interesting details. Looks and sounds like you had a good session after your patience with the clouds. I had more cloud than was forecast but I persevered too and had some good clear spells. However very little surface detail was revealing itself despite nice rock steady images. I got nothing but the south polar cap, some whiteness at the north fringes and a squareish star shaped darker smudge filling the southern hemisphere. Amazing how seeing conditions vary from place to place.

+1 for easy plonk and go set-up to take advantage of every available, however short, opportunities. I've still had a frustratingly small number of those in recent weeks. Setting my alarm for 2 or 3am for an all too brief early morning session has been my only sniff at 2 sessions in over a month. Still loving it though... so no hint of giving up for me. And tonight is looking very promising here ........ [once I've finished watching Leicester City win 😇 ]

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No one buy anything in Shropshire for the rest of the day please. Clear skies forecast: And clear jetstream at 3am (just about): Bed early and set the alarm for 2am

+1 fan of 7.2 - 21.5mm. Loving it on Mars where I can dial in to the best viewing magnification and where the narrow FOV doesn't matter.

Nice sketch Mike. Cloud here, but looking at your sketch I can imagine I'm looking through my eyepiece.

Nice report

Glad it sort of worked. Maybe give it another go in a day or two and it will improve further? I have no hair at all (think Matt Lucas) but I have heard about such things 🤣

Presumably it has a velcro seam? I'd try undoing it; rolling it up the wrong way, a little bit tighter than normal; apply some heat from a hair dryer for a while; let cool; then reconstruct.

Fantastic sketches I'm making the most of my very infrequent clear skies to study Mars mostly at the moment - but you've inspired me to try sketching the veil next. I've had some good(ish) views of the eastern veil - helped by a DGM NPB filter - but not anything decent of the western. I think I might need an OIII to tease them out ...? I'm bortle 4/5 so I should get some good views on the right nights.

If dark adaptation is the problem and you're mono-viewing then you could try keeping your viewing eye closed when it's not at the eyepiece. Getting used to doing everything else with only your non-dominant eye is the hard part.