Astro_Dad

I’ve PM’d you but think you’ll also have more detailed info from Paul. I forgot to mention that there is a more comprehensive pdf manual available that is not actually distributed with the ‘scopes, but useful to have- StarSense Explorer Dob Manual .pdf

Good beginners book choices there @Nitecoda, TLaO in particular (which will remain useful as you progress). I’ve recently found that the book 110 Things to see with a Telescope by John Read, whilst light on detail (intentionally) and restricted to to the Messier catalogue, is useful when out in the field. Although you haven’t bought a ‘scope yet this book I think would be quite well suited to a beginner starting out in the hobby due to being so accessible.

Thought I’d pop over to this thread as now a proud owner of the 8” version. Useful to read through and see how others have modified and upgraded. Good post @Rallemikken , some useful ideas there.

That’s a good comprehensive write up Paul - covers all the frequently asked question and more!

29/30th October StellaLyra 8” Dob, no GOTO or StarSense! An excellent late night/early morning observing session and opportunity to use my new Dob on some old and new targets, enjoying the fun of manual star hopping. The focus was mainly deep sky, taking in: M45, M52, The ET/Owl cluster, M103 M81, M82 and NGC1664. The latter cluster was of particular interest and well worth seeking out. I’ve posted a more detailed report here: I finished the evening on the planets, with a lovely clear view of Jupiter and finally Mars at highish power (170x) where I was able to start to make out some surface shading.

29th/30th October 2022 The first opportunity for me to have a really good session with my new 8” Stellalyra Dobsonian (Following a brief first light earlier in the week). Late Saturday night into Sunday morning - reasonably clear skies with above average seeing. Without StarSense or GOTO in tow this was going to be a slower but more thoughtful session featuring some relatively easy old favourites and some new challenges as well. I used only two eyepieces throughout - a GSO 32mm Plossl and my 7-21mm zoom. I immediately spotted M45 (The Pleiades) by chance (hard to miss!) and so started here, was tempted to pop inside for a 2” wider field eyepiece to frame it better but stuck to the 32 and as always enjoyed the quite pleasing view through the good quality 50mm finderscope supplied with the SL. The first target on my list was M52 - open cluster in Cassiopeia - relatively easy to find using the Rigel Quickfinder, extending (doubling) the distance of the line connecting Shedar and Caph. An attractive and relatively dense cluster of mainly white stars. Whilst in the area I then accidentally stumbled upon The ET or Owl cluster (NGC 457) a target I haven’t observed since last year - always a treat and once found it was very easy to keep returning to as I scanned around for other targets. Next M103, very close to Ruchbah, again in Cassiopeia. The three bright stars that bisect this cluster (with the central star being a red giant) were very clear and confirmed my find. This is an impressive cluster and I’ll be returning to this target again soon to seek out nearby NGC 663 and NGC 654. For a change of direction I could see The Plough quite low in the Northern Sky so used this to quickly guide me to galaxy pair M81 (Bode’s) and M82. Both were clear and bright, and for the first time I really zoomed in to higher power (170x) on M82, in an attempt to see the dust lane. I’m not sure I managed that but I could make out some structure and the outer edges of the thin shape were clear. My final DSO of the evening was NGC 1664. This is the diamond shaped open cluster featured in the November addition of Sky at Night magazines Deep Sky list. A joy to actually locate! - close to Capella. I chose a different star hopping route to that advised in the S@N feature, but I based that visually on the position shown in Sky Safari. Thanks to @paulastro for the additional information on this one! I certainly agree with some that this is rather stingray like in appearance and provides an attractive view of a ring of stars with a trail flowing from it - creating its kite like form. It was an excellent, enjoyable evening of observing with the new Dob, helped by SkySafari Pro for checking the location of 1664, and the simple but clear and useful in the field 110 Things to see with a Telescope by John Read - the targets shown with Telrad circles is one of the most effective ways of showing where to point, and having dabbled in the past I’m now totally sold on the Rigel for quick accurate star hopping. I miss a little having access to the Celestron StarSense technology as this is quicker and more enjoyable to use than GOTO in my view, but a back to basics star hopping experience provides its own rewards - though I wouldn’t rule out one of the smaller StarSense instruments for convenient grab and go at some point in the future.

Stellalyra 8” Dobsonian First light 28/29th Oct. Not too much to report in fact - cloudier than forecast and limited observing opportunities overall late Friday/ Early Saturday but great to take the new ‘scope outside for a first, albeit quick session. I’ll post a full review of the instrument in due course but in summary very impressive views of Jupiter (Perhaps the clearest I’ve seen), very sharp Mars and a short tour around Cassiopeia. Nice to be using the Rigel Quickfinder again - essential complement to the RACI. More details to follow.

Yes it’s an interesting juxtaposition @Spile- the August addition of S@N magazine mentioned this (Saturn below and to the East of the nebula) and I remember being keen to observe it and see it in the context of the gas giant. As I posted in my observing report at the time, I was unable to discern any of the elusive blue hue on the nebula but it did look to me very much like an out of focus Saturn! Thanks, You’ve reminded me to go and have another look at this target.

Yes @josefk it’s the 8” version and you’re right the quality GSO mirror is a key part of the package. The overall telescope itself is very well built and has a premium feel to it. Almost too good to take outside 😂

It’s a good day when a new telescope arrives (yesterday). A SL so courtesy of @FLO of course. Assembled but not set up in time to view the transits last night so first light will hopefully be tonight 👍

A quick scan outside at around 10pm suggested an impromptu binocular tour was in order - I wasn’t disappointed. Fighting the clouds and the ever present feeling of impending drizzle I was rewarded with some quite spectacular clear views with my 10x50’s. I swept the sky broadly but found the patch in and around Cassiopeia the most rewarding. Melotte 20 impressive again and of course the nearby Double Cluster in Perseus - two highlights that persuaded me to grab the Heritage 150p from inside, but alas once returned outside cloud and rain thwarted any further fun… I ordered a new telescope today so that will inevitably jinx any hope of seeing the double transit on Wednesday 😆, but I wish everyone who can the best of luck viewing the eclipse tomorrow. 👍 Clear, daytime skies!

I see the Twist Lock Adapter on there already! 👍 Looking good, slightly missing it…

Thanks @paulastro , I’ll miss the solar eclipse tomorrow but hopeful for the Jupiter phenomena. Scope Nights suggests Wednesday is “fair” , we’ll see.🤞🏻

22/10 First telescopic viewing of Mars this year. Mostly cloudy but cleared sufficiently late evening for an unexpected quick session. Out with the six inch experimenting with a range of magnifications on the red planet. Good to be reminded of its extremely bright signature shade of red/orange, the view took me straight back to the winter opposition of 2020. As expected struggled to discern any detail up to 107x using my 7-21mm zoom but moving up to 187.5x (8mm BST plus Barlow) could see “hints of” surface shading - but seeing wasn’t ideal and there was a fair degree of wobble. Managed a reassuring view of Jupiter which was looking very clear intermittently. Looking forward optimistically to the double shadow transit next week. I haven’t been out with a ‘scope for what seems like ages due to work travel and weather so great to have an albeit brief Saturday night out last night! 😀

Congratulations to the winners - excellent images well done. I hope this competition runs again at some point - accessible to many and great fun. The judges must find it tough to reach a consensus! Andrew

What did I see this morning at about 11am? - the waning Moon! And a great way to entertain my three year old who was quite fascinated to see it through a telescope. Short session such are attention spans (and cloud drifting over) but still, at least I’ve done some observing today already! 😂

I use mine quite a lot particularly on my smaller ‘scope (it’s a nice compact fit with the Heritage 150p) - quality very good for the price.

Fairly cloudy last night at times and intermittently poor seeing, but popped outside half way through Question Time to see what I could see through the six incher. Spent some quality time on Jupiter - a surprising amount of detail on offer including a little later the GRS. Belts and zones distinctive and sharp through the 10mm Nirvana (so only 75x power) which is quickly proving to be an excellent item to have in my arsenal. Another delightful moon arrangement with all 4 positioned off to the West. A brief look at Saturn but a tree obscured mostly and I didn’t return as was distracted by an incredibly loud and vocal family of frogs around the pond - unusual for this time of year but that’s for another thread…

Welcome to SGL. Hope to get my daughter interested one day! 😀

The StarSense tech is quite a game changer and in my own experience (as well as others I know who use these ‘scopes too) is at least as if not more reliable at finding targets than computerised GOTO. I see more error messages and issues with my Skywatcher Syn Scan set up for example than with my StarSense Explorer equipped Dob. (As good as the former is, it is generally not as convenient as StarSense to use). Both offer pros and cons though and can be used in conjunction with pure manual star hopping too - assuming the mount supports manual use.

I’ve used a BST 2x shorty Barlow with a SvBony 7-21mm zoom and just checked - 241g. No problem at all, and I’ve used combinations heavier than that. I used to have concerns about potential flex too, but really it holds up very well.

Isn’t the Celestron Evolution mount capable of manual use? (unlike the NexStar versions?).

Some incredible images from last night @johnturley and others. Inspiring stuff 😀

Super images. Mars in particular despite the seeing conditions. 👍

Excellent image, well done there. Can clearly see Ganymede. Unfortunately poorly youngest child here last night so no observing for me though I did spot how close Jupiter was to the Moon. Nice view through the window!