Astro_Dad

Yes and one thing I didn’t say Is that for all the reward of finding targets there’s at least an equal or greater frustration of not being able to find them - particularly when going beyond the usual suspects! I can imagine trying to star hop with an equatorial mount is very hard work. My first proper telescope was the 130mm reflector version of the StarSense (DX130 AZ) and it was that that got me hooked on the practical side of Astronomy rather than just the theory. A game changer - it unleashed what will be a lifetime hobby 😀

I agree Paul - StarSense in many ways makes other finding systems (including other Push to approaches) seem old fashioned, and GOTO is not as convenient (in my review I compared StarSense very favourably against Syn Scan based on my own experience of them). We are luckily spoilt for choice with the range of options available depending on budget, requirements etc. 

Definitely  with you on the finding being (ultimately) a means to an end, but I won’t be the only one who despite being a big fan of StarSense, derives some joy and satisfaction from learning the night sky the “hard way” and having that reward of finding an object manually. (Perhaps minority! who knows?).  I suspect this wears off after many many years of observing though.  BUT, I’d still prefer to have StarSense than not on balance - and I’ve read a good analogy that likens the need to star hop manually to the need to use a road atlas to get anywhere- it’s just not a skill that is required anymore. Still fun though, and as always horses for courses 😀. 

4 hours ago, paulastro said:

One thing I thought was rather odd, was that Ed said people might spend more time looking at the phone screen mounted on the scope rather than looking through the scope.

I interpreted his point here as being that for some people a piece of electronics (gadget / screen) could be a distraction from the “pure” process of finding and actually observing. This could be true, but it’s also true that it increases the speed of locating objects and hence maximises precious observing time. It was useful to mention though since the ‘scope is essentially designed to be used with a phone as the default - a concept that could be anathema to some traditionalists, and also removes the psychological motivation-reward loop inherent with tracking down a faint fuzzy manually. Nevertheless I’d surmise that for very many beginners and experienced observers alike (who have done their time observing the hard way!) it’s an absolute game changer from Celestron and as Ed noted in his review, has the potential to become the de facto standard. 

After the incredibly wet day it was surprising to find a dry spell with clear skies at around 9-10pm. Enjoyed a fun unplanned binocular tour around the sky, with M45 and M31 particular highlights. This was my first binocular view of the Andromeda Galaxy in fact. Quite impressive to see it stretch out across the wide FOV.   Encouraged - despite a few clouds rolling in - I headed back in for the Heritage 150 plus power tank and then did a quick 2 star alignment. Set the ‘scope to track M31 and enjoyed an impressively clear view, first with a 32mm Plossl and then slightly closer in with a 25mm. I decided to leave the ‘scope tracking whilst cooling, then popped in for a cup of tea and started to plan some more adventurous targets. Sadly a short time later - predictably - the Dark Skies app alerted me to drizzle. Quickly back outside to abort the mission - definitely more than drizzle…should have known but you have to grab your clear skies when you can at the moment !

Always interesting to watch an Ed Ting review - it’s been out a few weeks but if not seen this is his take on the 10”. 
 

Great to see some very impressive reports from last night - steady seeing in some parts of the country and some outstanding images 👍🏻.  Not as successful here unfortunately with a general mix of haze, drizzle and thick fog at least for most of the night. The only viable astronomy on offer was a brief look at the waxing Moon, bright enough to shine through the prevailing conditions to provide an atmospheric, ghostly image through my 10x50’s. 
 

12/11/22,  02.20  

First observation of M42 this year in the early hours of Saturday morning. The Orion Nebula - always a highlight and looking superb at low-medium power through the 6 inch Newt. Takes me straight back to last Winter and Christmas 😊. The Trapezium presenting clearly with the bright Moon and Mars nearby adding to the overall scene. 

On 10/11/2022 at 14:49, wookie1965 said:

Now fitted on the base. 

Nice work Paul - should make things easier! 

Not a whole set up but could be added to one - not sure where else to post an accessory discussion topic?

Looks to be an interesting NPD from ES in the finder space - similar principle to a Rigel Quickfinder but with a standard dovetail type finder base fitting, and more compact than the Telrad. 

I’d be interested in members thoughts on this.  I currently use a RACI finderscope in combination with a RIgel Quickfinder magnetically attached to my Stellalyra Dob  - works well but always looking to optimise. One of these in say a TS dual finder mounting bracket alongside a RACI could be interesting?

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/finders/explore-scientific-reflexsight-led-finder.html

18 hours ago, cajen2 said:

Great and very even-handed review, AD.

As a fellow SL 8" owner, I agree with everything you say, though a knob on it is not necessary for me, as like Louis, I just use the front edge of the scope. A handle, though, would be of great benefit.

The adjustment on the alt bearings is theoretically an advantage but (like I suspect most users) after setting mine I haven't altered them as it's such a faff. I just use a few small magnets to achieve balance.

It's worth noting that several of the other GSO labelled brands don't necessarily offer all the good accessories like the RACI, though I believe the Orion one is identical.

On the subject of supplied accessories, a minor detail I forgot to mention was the lack of supplied collimation cap with the SL.  For those of us who have other 'scopes or have been into the hobby for a while this is unlikely to be a problem, but it's a nice (inexpensive) touch that the Celestron includes one out of the box. The SW doesn't include one either. (The Heritage 150p does usefully and interestingly enough!).

4 hours ago, Mike Q said:

Orion has had the Skyline series for at least the last two years. 

Interesting thanks - I didn't know that. My knowledge of Orion Dobs is based on what was (past tense) readily available to order to the UK via their Netherlands based distribution centre. They are not particularly easy to purchase here due to lack of UK based distributor as I understand it.

Well aware of the SkyQuest and SkyQuest Plus branded instruments (the latter incidentally similar in design to the new Celestron Dobs for understandable reasons) and others -  but not the Skylines - Maybe US only?

Although this review was not intended to be an appraisal of how new these various GSO class models are in real terms, (but was fundamentally my own hands on view of the new to UK SL branded version vs the others I have experience of), it's provided an interesting segue 🙂

7 hours ago, Louis D said:

New branding perhaps, but these GSO scopes have been available under multiple other brands for years.  I recall the Zhumell ones coming out well over a decade ago.

Yes  - I could have mentioned this in the report so thanks, useful to clarify @Louis D -  new branding aside they are essentially identical to the Zhumell and Apertura models as far as I’ve read, which in a way makes it more surprising others have not innovated more. I’ve recently noticed that Orion (US) now have the same offering under their Skyline branding.  It’s obviously stood the test of  time at that relative price point - indeed  a quality offering from GSO!

36 minutes ago, bosun21 said:

I just fitted one myself. It’s a piece of cake.

I imagine it is - what did you use? Looks like a rubber foot from a Dob base  ?

I’ve now written my own hands on review of the 8” version, emphasising the differences between my experience so far with this instrument and the other Dobs I’ve used (SW and Celestron StarSense). 
 

Quite a lot has been written about the relatively new to market Stellalyra series of Dobsonian ‘scopes now so a full user review from me would largely duplicate and is probably not needed. However as I’ve owned both Skywatcher and Celestron StarSense Dobs as well, I can offer my brief views on the importance to me of the relative pros and cons having used all of them. Hopefully this more comparative summary will help prospective buyers. 
 

Firstly the main positives and areas I’d see as advantages of the Stellalyra based on my use to date. 

1. The addition of the well built dual speed Crayford style focuser. This has certainly been valuable already on planetary observations and I think matches the overall quality and fit/finish of these GSO manufactured instruments. Not an essential feature but a definite plus that would have lifted the modern Celestron StarSense just a few notches higher. 
 

2. The tensioning system - very well engineered and offers a wide degree of flexibility. In practice not quite as easy to use in my view as the Celestron approach and may still need the additions of weights to balance some heavier accessories (as done have reported here), but a well designed element with potentially more precise balancing available than with the Celestron. The SW falls short here - certainly in terms of ease of use. 

3. The roller bearing movement - provides a smooth and solid azimuth movement with good adjustment using the central bolt. For me provides smoother, more precise control and easier nudging than the Teflon pad based designs used elsewhere (also easier to get the friction level right than with the other systems). I did though find the Celestron azimuth system very good indeed - matter of preference here but for me the SL wins out. 

4. Brass compression rings in the eyepiece barrels - both the 2” and 1.25” - a nice feature here, the Celestron only manages this on the 1.25 resulting in the possibility of marring 2” oculars without an upgraded adapter. The SW of course manages neither out of the box. 

5. The inclusion of a good quality RACI finderscope - much better than the straight through version supplied as standard with the SW. More comfortable and avoids a stained neck. That said for me an RDF of some sort is really needed out of the box - the RACI is a great accompaniment for star hopping  but it is much harder to find the initial “lock” than with a reflex sight. Others will differ here no doubt. 

6. The battery powered fan unit - supplied as standard with the SL. Useful addition - only available as an extra £25 purchase with the Celestron, and even then only the 10”. The SL version is better in that AA batteries are all you need. The Celestron version is USB powered and the supplied cable is simply not long enough to set up and use conveniently. I had to buy a longer cable to use easily with my Celestron power tank. 

7. Good quality included eyepieces - the 2” 30mm Superview and 1.25” 9mm Plossl are certainly much better than the basic “Super 10” and “Super 25” supplied with the SW, but the quality 25mm Omni Plossl packaged with the Celestron is a very decent starter eyepiece - sadly you only get this one, so an additional purchase is required almost immediately if this is your first telescope. 

A good number of real advantages , but there are a few things that I find lacking. What I really miss that both the SW and the Celestron models have is the movement control knob at the top end- with the SL one needs to grab the outer edge of the rim when moving - there is nowhere obvious to place your hand - this feels like a basic but obvious missing feature to me. 

I also miss (even more than the knob) the carrying handle found on the Celestron. This is a great addition that provides an easy way to lift and  handle the ‘scope - obvious! - but why no others seem to want to include one is a mystery. The handle in combination with the knob at the top end provides a natural and intuitive way to place hands and slew the scope when in use. With the SL you have nowhere to grip other than a slippery dewed up tube. Carrying the SL after a session in this condition is also that much harder without a handle.  This makes the 8” SL only marginally more manageable than the 10” Celestron in reality…. although noticeably heavier. 

Some I know will bemoan the fact that the primary adjustment knobs protrude beyond the end of the main OTA - this means when standing on end the knobs are the “feet” - not a disaster but perhaps not an ideal design either.
 

At least though the 8” version has collimating knobs in the first place - only the10” Celestron  has these, though I’ve heard that the 8” (with Allen key and screw driver adjustments) holds collimation very well so not a deal breaker. 

Lack of StarSense itself - this is clearly a functional benefit of the Celestron if navigating the sky with reliance on a phone is what you need or want - it’s a bit of a game changer in terms of observational astronomy but the flip side is reliance on electronics and a screen when a “pure” gadget free experience might be preferable. I miss it on balance, but finding targets the old fashioned way compensates partially by providing the reward of actually locating objects by star hopping and learning the sky in the process - horses for courses pros/cons. The Celestron can be used “manually” of course but the position of the finder shoe is awkward and too far over to the right hand side to be comfortable in my view. 

All of the “down sides” to the  SL are sortable if required. With some effort a StarSense unit can be retrofitted as detailed elsewhere on this forum, or else with slightly less effort an Asterion Push To system can be added. That along with a tracking platform (when available) does indeed make this set up somewhat modular and eminently upgradable (and described as such by Ade Ashford in his excellent Astronomy Now review a few months ago).

Of course, handles and knobs can be bolted on also… just as the SW can have a dual speed focuser and roller bearing base fitted at some cost. 

I haven’t discussed aesthetics yet- best left to last due the obvious subjective and matter of taste nature of this but worth a note. The SW Dobs, whilst increasingly dated in many ways, for me still look sharp in their white livery and green lettering - there’s something appealing about a white ‘scope! The Celestron Dobs for me look the most “modern” due to the silver livery and cut away design in the base (which also provides a functional benefit by making the overall unit lighter),  but the SL for me have the most premium look and definitely have a touch of class. That glossy black finish does attract fingerprints though!

Hopefully this will be useful to new purchasers when considering the relative merits against the quite widely differing price of entry. Aesthetic points aside I may have missed a few structural or design features so additions welcome as well as comments!

A mostly clear early evening dominated by the near full Moon  - very windy though as others have noted - even the Heritage 150p was a little unsteady at 150x on Mars, but pleasing views nevertheless.

Excellent views of Jupiter at medium/high power  - belts and zones clearer than they have been of late for me, and always fascinating to see the Galilean moon arrangement - last night the four making an almost straight line flowing from the main planetary disc in a N E direction.

Spent some time on our moon comparing the view and surface features to the Newtonian orientated view in Sky Safari Pro - I usually use Moon Atlas after the event, but good to see in the field as it were - to be honest I was surprised to be reminded of how detailed this app is on the Lunar surface. It never fails to impress with its feature set!

6 hours ago, josefk said:

pic added

Nice report and sketch of your field of view - good to see these.

I was worried I had a telescope “problem” to start with until I realised many other passionate like minded folk are the same! I currently only have two though - similar to @cajen2 its the 8” SL Dob and the Heritage 150p. Mine is the Virtuoso GTI version and it’s literally my go to for a quick grab and go session - as a visual astronomer in the main I find it’s balance of decent aperture and ease of deployment makes it very hard to beat - especially given the low cost. I don’t think you’d be disappointed with it. 

Welcome to SGL! Excellent ‘scope choice - very good optically and will show you amazing sights for years to come. There has been lots written on that set up on the forum so you’ll find a great deal of helpful info, but do ask away if you need any help. 

05/11/22

A nice evening on the waxing gibbous Moon, taking in many lunar features and hunting down November S@N magazines Moonwatch feature - crater Hainzel. 

Heritage 150p and SvBony 7-21mm zoom the equipment of choice. 

Trickier than expected to find (done mainly retrospectively studying a phone picture). It is hard to see anyway due the dominance of Hainzel A and B, and I was a day after the apparent optimal date, nevertheless combining orientation using both the Moon Atlas app and the useful fold out Philips Moon map I found the general area.

It was a very clear night - The Moon had earlier formed a stunning backdrop for the local firework display! 

Finished on Mars, 150x power and able to see a few darker areas of surface shading but I think my best Mars session is yet to come. 

Quite a simple Friday night for me - just enjoyed the naked eye views of Jupiter and the Moon moving together across the sky, then later with my 10x50’s and finished much later with a lunar close up using the 6 inch Newt. 

4 hours ago, paulastro said:

I had an excellent session this morning, November 4th.  As the Met indicated it would the sky cleared by 1am, and I was out ready to go by 1.20 - using the Celestron StarSense Explorer 8 inch dob. The session ended at 4.35 when I was too cold and tired to carry on.

The good thing with the SS scopes is that most of your time is spent actually observing rather than finding - I may have mentioned this before somewhere 😊.

It was a good night with steady seeing, but at times the transparancy was poor so I concentrated on OCs, 17 of them, plus 6 galaxies, 3 nebula and 1 SN remnent - M1.

I looked at some old favourites but also a sprinkling of new objects to me. The following are some of the highlights.  For most of the time I used my Excellent ES 68 24mm and Morpheus 17.5mm.

The highlite of the session was the Rosette Nebula and the embedded OC,  NGC 2244 - C49 and C50 respectively. Its a very large nebula in a great area. The star cluster is very fine and the whole area is full of interesting detail. The object itself is quite complex and I spent some time exploring it - it repays repeat visits. There is an excellent account of it in James O'Meara's book The Caldwell Objects.

I visited some of my regulars including the ET's Cluster, the Double Cluster, M31 and company, M81/82 and of course M42 - always hard to resist. It was stunning in the Morpheus 17.5, and then with a x2 barlow.  Later also with my binoviewer, x2 barlow and 24mm Orthos.

It was nice to see M41,(OC) in Canis Major - its often affected by haze, at a higher altitude it would be even more impressive.  I also observed OCs M47 and Its neighbour M46 in Puppis (ofter overlooked), and M50 in Monoceros. After observing M34 in Perseus, I took the opportunity to seek out Trump 2 and Mellote 1, also in Perseus.

I observed  Mars from about 3 -3.20 when it was around 60 degrees altitude. The seeing was excellent, by far the best thuis apparition.  Using the Morpheus plus barlow and the binoviewer Mare Sirenum and Mare Cimmerium  were easily visible in the S, and there was what I think was Elysium to the N.  

It was an excellent session - and my new head torch worked a treat as well 🙂.

 

Inspiring report Paul - great to see the StarSense is working out for you! 

1 hour ago, Stu1smartcookie said:

Under the surgeons knife yesterday , and of course missed a fairly clear night last night , pleased that a lot of people were able to take advantage though .

All the very best Stu - wishing you a speedy recovery and a return to the eyepiece very soon. You won’t be spending your time researching future ‘scope purchases at all will you  ?!😊

Impressive first mosaic - well done!

56 minutes ago, bosun21 said:

A decent star atlas is the next acquisition on my shopping list. Any recommendations? Thanks  

    Ian 

There are a few threads on here discussing Star Atlas recommendations, including this one where I was looking to answer the same question. Some great suggestions.