Astro_Dad

6 minutes ago, gorann said:

Physical print copies are nice to have and read but when it comes to images they (un)fortunately look much better on my computer screen

I was just thinking there how much better your image looks on my phone screen compared to my print copy of the magazine. I’m fact the print version barely does justice. 

I have both delivered - one is an ongoing gift subscription. AN clearly more in depth but both offer a lot. More targets and projects than I can possibly do in a given month of course! Still prefer physical print copies of magazines vs reading on a screen. 

7 hours ago, gorann said:

As I said I got the August image of the month in AN and it is from my backyard in Sweden😉.

Just had a look - Iris nebula with 13 h worth of data. Nicely done👍 - I’d be pleased just to have an image published let alone image of the month!

If not already read - mostly covered here though. 

Welcome to the forum @Scoobyroo !

Both the 127 Mak and 150p versions are excellent 'scopes. There is of course a degree of overlap between their capabilities - the 150p reflector is very good for planets (I regularly use mine on Jupiter and Saturn with excellent sharp results, and the 127 shows some of the brighter DSO's well). The smaller aperture of the mak combined with the narrower field of view will limit to some degree the breath of deep sky objects you can view, (marginal in practical terms although I was able to view a large area of the Veil nebula using the 150p at a dark site recently - not sure if this would have been as good through the mak?) but as your primary interest is planets this probably won't concern you much. If you are certain planets are you main interest then the mak would be hard to beat (I also own a smaller mak for quick grab and go planet/moon sessions), but in my experience of using both,  the 150p is probably the more versatile instrument that will grow with you should your interests change/develop. The weakest element is the helical focuser, and the need to make a light shroud - the maksutov doesn't suffer from these issues, but you'll likely still need a dew shield for the 127. You can later buy a more conventional tripod/mount for either.

Lots of videos and stuff to read on both but I came across this recently on SGL and it's relevant here.

Here’s a good one too- from @Chris

Enjoying this very informative thread on planetary AP. I’m largely observational but I’ve dabbled previously with a ZWO and posted some early results here, but I’m planning on having anther go. I’ve just today returned a Celestron Skyris 132c cam as couldn’t get it to work at all with Windows 10 (running in Parallels on a Mac). Several drivers tried but no success. I’m going to replace with another ZWO - probably a 224. Keen to try some “basic” untracked with my 10” Dob having been inspired by the excellent results achieved by @sorrimen with his Dob. Very useful reading here the various tips and tricks. Thanks. 

Given this thread has indeed gone almost full circle and meandered into a broad based discussion about ‘scope choice philosophy and beyond - I’ll risk criticism of going off beam again by reposting this that came up elsewhere  on SGL. Food for thought! (I know off budget but gives a flavour of a good six inch aperture option). 
Thanks @Tiago Ferreira

I can absolutely relate to @Stu1smartcookie and others in terms of mistake making - it’s all part of the “fun” and learning for some  - but one must avoid analysis paralysis and do something… this thread may perpetuate ad infinitum - let us know your current thinking @Gem85 - note that the 70mm travelscope option didn’t work out for you - maybe something in the 4-6 inch aperture class like some of the suggested instruments on this thread would be more in line with what you think you need? If still not sure then perhaps taking a pause  and learning the sky with a pair of bins and a planisphere is not such a bad idea?

Yes this one is available on the Virtuoso GTi - the mount includes an integrated bubble level to help. Works pretty well for rough “good enough” GOTO most of the time. 

The only alignment procedure not requiring a star alignment is North level alignment. Here, only the North direction is needed to be known. The accuracy of this method relies on how accurately N is determined, and how level the mount is. 
This is quite a good summary of the options from Cloudy Nights-

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/658474-skywatcher-synscanaz-gti-alignment-instructions/

Thanks @Mr Spock  - I wasn’t  familiar with the term nephologist.  It looks by my quick search  to be an older term less often used today - referring to a specialist in what is a field of meteorology. You learn everyday! 

I’m sure a geographer or meteorologist will help identify these particularity striking clouds this evening. 

Good to be back out with the 10”. Relatively  clear skies so an opportunity to find a few planetary nebulae, and some for the first time. All viewed at various magnifications using the 7-21mm zoom in conjunction with a Baader OIII. 

First up was The Saturn nebula (NGC 7009) close to Saturn! I couldn’t discern any of elusive blue hue, but the distinctive Saturnesque form was there to see - much like a very out of focus Saturn. 

Next the Dumbbell (M27) - impressive  as always and with the subtle green hue apparent. 

The ring (M57) was very clear and really popped this time - nicely showing its grey/ green colours. 

Finally another new one for me, The Blue Snowball NGC 7662. Very impressive object here and one I’ve been keen to see for some time - a gem of a target with a very distinctive pale blue colour with the OIII. 

After squinting at some DSO’s I then turned to the planets for some razer sharp views - seeing was good. 

Jupiter looked probably the best I’ve seen it so far through the big Dob with lots of subtle banding on display. I was able to push the magnification up more than in recent sessions, and the four Galilean moons showed a little more depth and colour. 

Saturn was impressive and as noted elsewhere on this thread more moons were visible than usual and with that interesting triangular formation. 

9 hours ago, planetman83 said:

I couldn't turn the focuser all the way with even the PTFE. I will try again.

It takes some patience and a few attempts to get it “just right” (at least it did for me). Once you do the precision and control you can achieve on focusing is pretty good. 

Excellent images, and encouraging as I'm hoping for a first light with my new planetary cam in the next few days (including untracked with Dob also).

Well done,

A

14 minutes ago, Moonshane said:

Oops the OP DID mention kids but my point still applies!

I was beginning to think we’d all been mixing threads up! 😄 

8 minutes ago, planetman83 said:

PS: the focuser is the weakest part of this telescope.

Most would agree here, but perhaps a reasonable compromise given all other factors. Sounds like you have had some good observation time already 🙂

42 minutes ago, SthBohemia said:

If either of the 2 above, both @Rallemikken and @Astro_Dad bothered to read previous posts within this thread they would both, with some hope, come to the conclusion that their contributions are irrelevant as 'dobbies' do not fit within the parameters or requirements of @Gem85 ! 🙂 

Always up for a challenge - but having re read most of it (I may have missed something to be fair as there looks to be a chunk of responses missing between the OP and @SthBohemiaas far as I can tell - maybe be just me) There have been several recos here for the Heritage 150p, which is just about within the OP's budget (not a true Dob in the classic sense any way) , is good for kids as pretty robust and is so easily transportable due to its collapsible design it would be almost remiss to not suggest it for consideration. It would though also render several other posters comments here irrelevant too by your charge. The spirit here is a discussion on potential options, to advise but also suggest curve balls at times- and its the way these threads go. It will be interesting to see where the OP actually  ends up! In a thread that segues into a discussion about the classic 8" Dob in response to other posters comments, it is entirely relevant to comment and respond back - albeit briefly.

Yes as mentioned a couple times this is normal - your video shows the same movement as mine does. It doesn’t affect GOTO and as noted you can refine the alignment if a target is slightly off centre - no need to worry. 
You might want to consider making a light shroud and applying some PTFE tape - well known mods for this ‘scope. 

9 hours ago, Gfamily said:

So, water was always present - and I assume

You’re right - crude oil or other is a possible substrate but even then water it seems must be present at all times- albeit in tiny quantities. The need for water however small is very likely to be a constant for all known life on Earth…as far as we know…

My post above should have omitted the word “pure” since that was maybe suggestive of not requiring ANY water - not the case. 

It’s an interesting field. During my biology PhD I came across putative gene candidates that related to “petroleum degrading enzymes” suggestive of bacteria that could thrive off pure crude oil or similar - potential application including cleaning up of oil spillages in marine ecosystems.
 https://www.mpg.de/257961/oil-degrading-bacteria

The science and understanding has moved on of course,  but the concept remains fascinating…

SkySafari Pro on iPhone or iPad is hard to beat, as is Stellarium on desktop. 
For a ring bound physical reference, this is excellent- 

Excellent nice post @Macavity!

Obviously you can do basic astrophotography (to a point) with even a manual Alt Az mount depending on the target you want to capture. Have a look at @Spile’s blog and even my own examples on this forum! 

Have a careful read of the information already provided in this thread such as the attached document I shared - it’s all there. Then play around and experiment in your own hands - no need to overly worry about  firmware upgrades etc. take it out and try it out. Get to know the ‘scope.