Spile

On 18/03/2021 at 12:47, Tiny Clanger said:

I'd add the date and equipment used .... I bet you wrote it on the back already !

No but as a result of your reminder - I've just done that.

I find it OK most of the time but reviews seem increasingly critical of its accuracy.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.firstlightoptics.clearoutside&hl=en_GB&gl=US&showAllReviews=true

It would appear to rely on the API provided by Dark Sky (now owned by Apple) which will stop working this year.

Dew and the need for a red torch mean that apart from the method below, I don't use a printed atlas "in the field".

If I am scanning the sky and I come across something interesting, I tend to use SkyEye which like a stellar SatNav is attached to my telescope. It normally usually comes up with the goods. 

If I am targeting an object, I use print-outs from Stellarium as described here.

On 17/03/2021 at 11:16, Venster said:

my dewy telrad didn’t help!

The dew shield is easy to make and has improved things considerably for me.

I thought I would give a few doubles in and around the Beehive (M44) a go last night.

There is so much going on, I needed a printout to guide my way and I ended up adding notes and basic sketches on that. I was pleased with the result even though I guess many/most are visual rather than actual binaries?

As you can see, I am not sure about SLE337 and so have marked two candidates which were next to one another. I may have to check Stellarium again.

It took most of the observing session but I did manage to catch Iota Cancri (5* Y+B) and I am pretty certain I got Struve 1266 (3* Y+B), Phi-2 CNC (3* B+B) and the very close 57 CNC (3* WB+WB).

21 hours ago, DeepSkyBagger said:

What size 'scope are you using?

Thanks for the recommendation. It is a 8". I don't have any filters but will keep a note for future reference.

22 hours ago, Pixies said:

Are you sure you weren't observing over a wall, near a tree branch, etc.? Sometimes the view through he finder is OK, and it's not until you see somethign like this that you realise the view from the actual scope was obscured! Have done it plenty of times myself when observing south from my garden!

The first time I waved my hand in front of the aperture came as a bit of a shock when I was out of focus as above. 

I was impressed with the low tech approach of this...

https://www.instructables.com/Airline-portable-8-Dobsonian-telescope/

I had a nice evening last night with a few open clusters and a double.

M47 to the East of Sirius was easy to find and combined brighter and faint stars. The central region reminded me of a number 5 dice. 4*

I headed North and found the fainter open cluster NGC 2423 3*

Back to  M47 and then East to M46. Rather mysterious in that the longer I looked the more I saw. It was almost as though I was looking at an animation with "mist" rising out of the centre of the EP  5*

I then headed over to the Beehive (M44) which was as excellent 5* as ever before concluding with Tegmine which I finally managed to split into three at maximum power YB+YB+YB 4*

I think all these mounts are going to be limited due to what that are attempting to do but the Celestron gets positive reviews. I personally have no issues with it, apart from the angle (see below) that the phone is held. I have solved this by fixing a small fibre pad under the phone to tilt it so that it sits parallel to the EP.

The low tech option is working for me.

On 14/03/2021 at 21:02, reezeh said:

It's what's missing in a lot of people's lives these days.

We should be prescribed by the NHS.

Have you considered the DIY option?

On 13/03/2021 at 18:58, ScouseSpaceCadet said:

The OP's blatant 'like' farming. Mods?! 😆

Hypocrite 😉 and I didn't say I wanted to "hang out" with you. Now what did Groucho say about clubs?

20 hours ago, Clarkey said:

I would agree with the Baader zoom. I am more of an imager, but when observing I use the hyperion and a low power 42mm 2" Revelation eyepiece. They may not be the absolute best option, but saves having a drawer full of eyepieces.

SNAP! 

15 hours ago, Second Time Around said:

No, even right at the zenith the height is fine (I'm 5ft 9ins), unless I'm using my equatorial platform under the 10 inch f/4.8.  Even then I can get very nearly to the zenith.  As you probably know, the notorious "Dobson's Hole" makes observing at the zenith difficult anyway.

The reason is disability -  I struggle to get up and turn round, especially during a long session.  With the Skywatcher I can lift myself up just a few inches and grip the seat to adjust the height. 

I use my 72mm f/6 refractor at night for short grab 'n go sessions, plus in the day for solar and travel.  So I'm sufficiently mobile then for long enough.  Additionally, it has a short tube so doesn't need as much height adjustment.

But for many able-bodied observers the telescopic stool would be fine for Dobs, depending of course on their height and how high off the ground the eyepiece is.  

I'd add that the stool adjusts from 6.5-45 cms/2.5-18 ins, whereas the chair's range is 30-82 cms/12-32 ins.

Thanks for the clarification. The lightness of that stool appeals.

On 13/03/2021 at 12:09, MartinB said:

The double cluster is one of the few targets which I think, generally, looks better through a scope than when imaged

As I spend more time looking, I find an increasing number of objects I am seeing have more of a Wow! factor than digital ones.

If our solar system is tilted in the galactic plane, what galactic season are we currently enjoying? 

I am off to Harris later this year so that will be a few hours up the M5, M6, M74 and then just a few more...

But don't forget the monthly updates from Pete and Paul 

I think your less is more strategy is spot on. I find that I get more enjoyment from the simple pleasure of looking at just one or two objects for the whole evening. In terms of Stellarium, I find the ocular view invaluable in locating  difficult objects. 

I am delighted with the results and functionality of my Baader Hyperion IV Zoom. I'd be happy to recommend it. 

On 11/03/2021 at 21:45, Second Time Around said:

I have two such chairs, firstly a Skywatcher Anti-Tip /Omegon Astro Observation chair I use with my Dobs. 

Secondly, a Ksera Telescoping Folding Stool for my refractor.

Is this because the Ksera doesn't extend high enough for your Dob?

I’ve been participating in online forums since the dark ages. Usenet during the 90’s and bulletin boards before that.

In all that time I don’t think I have come across a forum as good as SGL. I don’t just mean Astronomy related either. Online forums full stop.

Friendly, polite, welcoming, non judgemental or patronising, respectful with excellent advice from contributors with a wide range of expertise.
I’ve not seen a moderator have to “step in”, which says it all.

The technical side is excellent too. A sensible non garish colour scheme and great support for images and links. A sensible navigation and sub forum structure.

Sorry if this sounds like an Oscar speech but I wanted to thank the people who set up and maintain SGL. And of course without you, the contributions, it would come to nothing. It is why I recommend this forum to others interested in the subject.

A simple cap with washer works for me.