M40

Good find, thanks for highlighting that 👌 another once in a lifetime event. A couple of before and after pictures on my target list now.

I dont have an observatory but I do have a small pillar box type enclosure for the permanent pier. I have a power distribution box and a bracket for an asiair permanently mounted on the pier. I then have the power supply mounted in an enclosure about 2 meters from the pier and linked to the power distribution box. I then simply fit the asiair and plug cables into the power box and asiair. The cables are all the typical 2 meter type and to date all has worked well with no clashes between ota and stuff mounted on the pier. I frequenty swap telescopes so not having kit mounted on the ota works for me. If you choose to mount your kit on the pier, fit your ota to the mount and swing it around to make sure that when you mount your stuff, you have no clashes and the cable length is all good. All the best.

Have you considered the physical aspects of both? I.e. length and weight. The sm125 being about half the weight but slightly longer. The height of my mount head is about 1700mm from the deck but the length of the sm125 makes visual near the zenith awkward but not impossible. Lifting the sm125 onto the mount at that mount height is not a challenge.

This is an interesting conundrum. How about something like a Todmorden pier where you can add or remove blocks to suit your telescope? You could start with a height to suit your reflector and add blocks at a later date if you change to a refractor.

I have just read that in the year 20346ce, Thuban will reclaim the title of the Earths North star. I have just got polar alignment "down to a t" and now, apparently, it's all change. I understand it will not be a sudden switch from Polaris to Thurban, which means my polar alignment is going to be off. No wonder my images are garbage, how do you all get over this problem?

Ditto. Part of the hobby I enjoy is standing outside looking up and watching the image build up. The only downside is you watch those clouds roll in 🤣

My eaa setup is a baader flip mirror with camera in the straight through port and an eyepiece in the flipped port. Both are set parfocal. I tend to use the camera for goto and plate solve then switch to the eyepiece for a touch of visual. At end of play I leave the setup together good to go. Anything to make life easy and quick.

I have neither the ability or ambition for astrophotography; seestar suits me just fine thank you very much. That excellent little device has already given me (albeit poor) images of things I never thought I would get and the other night, between the clouds, the grandkids were overjoyed to choose and then see a few wonders the night sky can offer. Enjoy.

Thanks for pointing the thread out JOC, judges are going to have a hard time with those.

A couple of mine are very similar but they are fine when the cup is raised into position. It must be the way the rubber stretches when folded down. All the best.

Have a check, but you might just need one of these.... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/zwo-accessories/zwo-ar-replacement-protective-windows.html?_gl=1*xkfk64*_up*MQ..&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI14HcmYSG_AIVlGDmCh2DDQ5IEAAYASAAEgJiUPD_BwE

Hello TheTaz and welcome to the site. Ask away with any questions, people are only too pleased to provide answers where possible

In amongst the clouds and before rain stopped play.....IC410 tadpole nebula. Slightly lightened using the sliders in the seestar

An excellent picture and may well yet be stolen for the tablet wallpaper 👌

I can feel the clouds forming already