Ian McCallum

I do like AP, but I've don't have an APO refractor or DSO cooled camera. I find that sometimes the software on the RPi can be glitchy, but when it does run it does work well.

Believe it or not, that was imaged with a second hand SW Evostar 120 achromat, on a EQ5 Pro mount with a Raspberry Pi running Astroberry OS, a ZWO ASI224MC camera fitted with 2x BST Barlow and FireCapture software.

That's partly the reason that I've gone back to visual.

Nothing grandiose from me, just this image of Mars.

It does give a yellowish tinge to objects, especially the brighter ones... I was going to get a 2" version for my 28mm LET EP, but am now convinced that I don't need it. I've still got the 1.25" version, if needed.

I had some fantastically clear seeing of the lunar disk, earlier this evening. I used the SW ST120 achro, initially with a SW 2" 28mm LET EP. Then did a bit of observing of M45 and M42, using averted vision to see some more of the nebulosity around the Trapezium. The CA wasn't too bad at all, even on the edge of the moon. I think switched to the SW Evostar 120 achro, starting of with the same 28mm EP on the moon, then onto M42. I finished up with higher magnification of the moon at the terminator, moved on to Mars, Betelgeuse and back to M45. The mount was the AZ5 on the stainless steel tripod, for simplicity. I did use the Baader Contrast Booster filter on the moon and Mars for the higher magnifications. It gave the moon a slight yellowish tinge, as has been reported by others...

I've removed my YouTube subscription from some channels, based on their snotty attitudes towards others or simply because they have a heavy commercial slant to them. I'm still subscribed to Chris's Astro La Vista channel, Ed Ting, Jenham's Astro and Small Optics.

After a while, you may need one of these filters!🤣 https://www.firstlightoptics.com/narrowband/antlia-125-methane-ch4-planetary-filter.html

You know what I mean. The whole human eye experience can't be replicated by a camera and screen, at present.

A camera can't capture the dynamic brilliance, colour and magic of a view through the eyepiece. For the time being, a 'live' view can't be matched on bright objects like stars and star clusters, etc.

I get it. 😂

That's probably my most used eyepiece.👍

Was just talking about that today... https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/404394-averted-seeing-corner-of-the-eye-phenomena/

Some dew heater straps from Auntie @FLO, plus some heatshrink tubing from eBay for another astronomy gear related job. 😉

Thanks for everyone's input, as I was a bit dubious. This comes from being a former "ghost hunter" who was and is still sceptical of the human senses.

I've always been a bit wary of 'averted vision', as it reminds me of 'corner of the eye phenomena'. When looking at DSO's using this method, are we actually "seeing" them or is our brain just filling in the blanks that we expect to see?🤔 http://www.assap.ac.uk/newsite/articles/Corner eye phenomena.html

Can I ask what the strange repeating square and dot pattern is, looks like a domino?🤔 Not the usual dust bunnies...

I've already got an 8" Newt, but not exactly EQ mount friendly!🙄🤣

But I love the challenge...🤪🤣

It looks like that the worm gear isn't engaging with the teeth on the cog below the dial.

Some will claim an achromat for AP is sacrilege, but to some of us, it's all we can afford!😱

I already have. 😉

I've got the Wratten #8 and it does help, it's the poor man's Baader Contrast Booster. 👍

I'm only dabbling with planetary imaging, compared to you guys. 😮 I've worked out that my Sky-Watcher Evostar 120 achromatic refractor, using a 2x Barlow and ZWO ASI 224MC camera, seems to follow this formula (I think). It gives me an F ratio of 16.66. It would seem to be from what I've read that the Barlow that would suit me best, based on the pixel size of the camera is 2.24x magnification. I've got the BST StarGuider 2x Barlow, so that'll suffice.

The Baader Contrast Booster seems to be better for reducing CA, than other Baader filters. Your mileage may vary.