Ian McCallum

I used the 28mm 2" SW LET and 8" Dob on the moon, last night. It was breathtakingly sharp in it's clarity!😮

I did try 320x magnification on Almach, last night. That was using the Sky-Watcher Evostar 120 and BST StarGuider ED 3.2mm eyepiece. To be honest, it was too much for the seeing conditions and scope.

For me it's my second hand 28mm 2" LET, great for wide views. Second would be my BST StarGuider 12mm ED, for closer in observing. Lastly would have to be the BST StarGuider ED 8mm for occasions when the seeing is good.

Some photos and videos of the sun through a solar filter, just a few hours ago. There's at least one sunspot visible. Sky-Watcher Evostar 120 achromatic refractor and Meade 4000 Super Plossl 15mm eyepiece, plus mobile phone holder. VID_20211121_114600.mp4

These were taken with a smartphone holder attached to the eyepiece. Another wee muck about with the Sky-Watcher Evostar 120 achromatic refractor and the moon, this evening. I was using a Meade Super Plossl 15mm eyepiece. I actually saw Orion for the first time in ages. Betelguese looked not too bad, as was Rigel. I could even make out the Orion Nebula and 3 of the Trapezium stars too. VID_20211120_213135.mp4 VID_20211120_213220.mp4

Whilst I was forewarned about CA with achromats, I picked up a used SW Evostar 120 recently. I can easily detect the purple fringing and it's more obvious than I thought it was going to be. I guess having used a 8" Dob for over 18 months has spoiled me...🙄

I picked up a used Sky-Watcher Evostar 120 Achro recently, you're observation (no pun intended) is absolutely spot on.

Firstly, Jupiter with the Sky-Watcher Evostar120 Achro - using the whole BST StarGuider range 25mm-3.2mm. CA was apparent right through-out the who range of magnifications. There was a bit of a breeze this evening, which didn't help seeing. I decided to move onto Almach, which I discovered by accident recently. I used the whole range of the BST eyepieces again, but couldn't obtain a totally clear image, as seeing wasn't great. CA was present on the images I was viewing, having being previously spoilt by a 8" Dobsonian.

Yep, filters don't add light, just subtract from it.

I was looking at the colour wheel and trying to work out what was the closest opposite colour to cancel out the purple fringing. The closest I could see was Wratten #102. Sorry that the image for the Wratten #102 being so small, but I felt the correct colour was somewhere between yellow and green.

Just curious if anyone has tried Wratten filters for CA correction in achromats? I was thinking a Wratten 11 or 102 might be good to reduce the purple fringing.🤔

Some WD40 or similar to break down the foam adhesive, followed by Meths or IPA to remove any oily residue left by the WD40.

That's interesting to know, regarding LP and the size of the finder scope. I've only got the 9x50 variety.

I managed to pick up a used one from a SGL member, thanks. 👍

This awful weather is putting me off getting more equipment.😒

I'm not in a desperate hurry for one at the moment, so will hold off and see what comes along. Bad time of year, etc.

Must be because I got some more astronomy related stuff, recently.🙄

So basically the EQ5 would be good enough for the ScopeTech STL-80A 80mm f15 Maxi then?🤔

Yeah, that's what my gut feelings were too.

What's the advice regards dust inside the lens elements of a refractor? 🤔 I cleaned the objective lens with Baader Wonder Fluid and the Baader microfibre cloth. I used the method described below... https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/clean-a-refractor/ If the dust inside won't affect the image, my thoughts are to leave well alone.

I just call it 'Fred'.🤣🥼🚪

This guy did a good job of replacing them, on a second hand mount that he bought. I wonder if he's a member on here?🤔 https://youtu.be/tGTY61b5HPg

Any video or photos will just be occasionally, the vast majority of stuff will be visual.

I plan in the future to get one of the Scopetech 80mm F15 refractors from Autie @FLO, so that will be the longer OTA to go on the EQ5. No problems regarding the bolts, as I've already been forewarned in a YouTube video. I think one set is M8 and the other is M10, so no major problems.