Andy ES

13 hours ago, Nigella Bryant said:

Sorry for another belated session. Some brilliant activity. Nice prom in calcium II K. 

Nigella, this is amazing! I’m continually stunned (and humbled) by what people achieve on this forum.

I start with the high tech goto scope with all the setting up and alignments. After that move to the binoculars for a while. Then finish with just my eyes (with glasses 😁).

very relaxing way to end a session.

Out with some old favourites last night.

Really wanted to use the new 82 degree 24mm EP, which gave me some stunning views.

Had chance to view before later cloud, it was surprisingly mild, but did pick up a bit of dew after a while.

Double Cluster (breathtaking)

Andromeda Galaxy (just fuzzy in my area)

Orion nebula

Mars (some detail)

Pleiades

Almach (beautiful  gold and blue, this must be the nicest double?)

The main trouble last night is that my next door neighbour has decided to install a massive Led PIR security light pointing at where I normally set up in the back garden 😩.

So I had to hide behind the fence in the corner trying not to trip the light on.

luckily I’m on very good terms so shouldn’t be to hard to get it switched off at the appropriate time.👍

Flashing Telrad is very useful for alignment of the CPC, which performed very accurately. 

Wish the sky was black and not grey.

30 minutes ago, Captain Scarlet said:

Phew thanks be to God I moved to the SW tip of Ireland 🤣🤣, should escape the worst 

Yes I’ll be in Belgium drinking beer that day so should be OK😂

Turned up today after a 2 year & 1 month wait! 🥳

Now my EP collection is complete!

Yeah right! 😂😂

4 hours ago, WestCoastCannuck said:

(Have the CPC on a roll out now to save my back)

Mike

That looks great, did you make it or buy it from somewhere? 

Cheers 

1 hour ago, GeoffM54 said:

I've just bought a new ZWO ASI224MC camera, which doesn't have a UV/IR cut filter, do I need one?

I use this camera for planetary photography. 

Recently used it and wondered why the results were so rubbish, then discovered I’d not put the filter on😬.

So would say it’s essential.

19 minutes ago, fullmoon said:

I'll have a look on my profile to see how I do it. Cheers 👍

It’s a bit tricky (well I thought so) to find.

from your profile page hit “account settings” (not edit profile)

then “signature” on the bottom left to access the editor.

50 minutes ago, fullmoon said:

had my scope for 7 days

Looks great, hope you have many other clear nights out.

Would  be great to set up your signature so we can see the kit you are using.

I have also found this really useful when you’ve got questions and people can see quickly what you have got.

Good luck and enjoy.😁

57 minutes ago, Carbon Brush said:

Recently while leaving work after dark, I heard unexpected birdsong from outside the farm buildings next door.

The Robins sing all night every night thanks to my neighbours security light

42 minutes ago, Franklin said:

Bring back power-cuts!

Or just turn the street lights off for a bit when all the “normal” folk have gone to bed 😂

I think Basildon council are contemplating turning off the street lights at midnight again, like they did a few years ago to save money.

It made a big difference for a while, until everyone complained that they were frightened of being mugged or burgled.

Thats Basildon for you....☹️

2 hours ago, Stu said:

those boosters returning are the stuff of science fiction!

Looks like an alien invasion 😂

21 minutes ago, NGC 1502 said:

There used to be the “Astronomy Resource Centre” at a nursery on Main Road Hawkwell run by Roy Dean.  Don’t know if it still operates as a club.   (It’s not far from Clements Sports Centre)

Thanks, that’s the place I was thinking about.

23 minutes ago, NGC 1502 said:

Castle Point AC is clearly the BEST😁

Obviously! 😂😁

just out of interest, on the way to Benfleet, near Clements hall sport centre, I think there is a great square of conifers that have been planted on the bend in the road as a light pollution screen for an astronomy club, not sure if it is still used by a club??

Welcome, this is a great place to learn👍

Also  thanks for posting the Essex AC choices above👍

1 hour ago, Marvin Jenkins said:

Also included in the box of treats.

Looks like an interesting book.

Any chance of a look inside to what sort of puzzles they are?

cheers

Lovely clear night after sunny day in Essex.

Bright Jupiter and Mars then...

FOOTBALL! (and beer)🍺🍺😁

6 minutes ago, L8-Nite said:

No, just with custom colour coordinated observing apparel. 

Outstanding! more for when you’re in California than Wales maybe? 😂

43 minutes ago, Alien 13 said:

So given these senses what would the development of technology require as a minimum and could it be done without sight for example and are there any other senses we don't know about?

Interesting Alan,  I suppose natural selection may have produced organisms that can sense everything that’s out there as an advantage? But then again I can’t sense magnetic fields like maybe a pigeon can so who knows? 

You didn’t mention sensing temperature but I suppose that is just touch?

6 hours ago, L8-Nite said:

Back in 1985 while working on a construction project at the Mt. Wilson Observitory, I had the opportunity to view through a Questar 7 one evening; and I said to myself, " someday ".  🤔

Fast forward 25 years, I had retired, and " someday  " had finally arrived.  🙂 

Fantastic, does it come with a shiny silver jump suit to wear when using it?.😂

24 minutes ago, HollyHound said:

I use my pair of Hyperion Zooms in my WO binoviewers

Thanks that’s what I’ve been thinking if I go down this route. 👍

6 hours ago, HollyHound said:

Finally, after ages waiting for it to come back into stock… one popped up yesterday 😮

Baader Maxbright ii Binoviewers 😃

Already mounted my Baader T2 Prism onto it, ready to fit to my Mewlon… can’t wait to try these out

Hi Hollyhound, congratulations on a great bit of kit. what eye pieces do you think you will use with these? 

8 minutes ago, jjohnson3803 said:

I dropped all social media well before COVID.  Can't say that I miss any of it.

Never used any of it.

Makes my kids scream with laughter when I say 

“I’ll email the picture to you”😁

”Dad you are sooo old!”

19 minutes ago, Tomatobro said:

Twitters AI analysis of the picture thought it contained inappropriate material.

That’s why we all need a “Stu”  (other moderators are available). 👍

never send a machine to do a man’s or woman’s work.😂