NGC 1502

On Friday night just gone, the skies cleared late evening. With the moon not up until the small hours it was a good opportunity to grab some deep sky before June skies mean that it does not get fully dark at my latitude. With my 10” Dob set up in the garden at 23.00 BST the sky looked ok even though full astronomical darkness was still an hour away. I’d not viewed M10 / M12 for ages, took a few moments to find M10. At 44x it was obviously a globular cluster, a hazy patch with a sprinkling of stars apparent. Some much more obvious stars around the periphery, guessing those are foreground stars. Best view was 150x. A short star hop to M12, at 44x obviously brighter than M10, no obvious foreground stars as with M10, best view, again 150x. Decided to wait until M14 was a bit higher later on. M3 followed, apparently so much brighter at 44x, best view was 240x. GCs always seem to look better with the power pumped up👍 Could not resist M13/92. After their dimmer cousins they both looked great. M13 a very obvious ball of stars with those streams of stars radiating out, a digression was galaxy NGC 6207 just half degree away, a dim hazy spot borderline averted/direct vision. Failed to find M14, maybe next time, didn’t try for GC M56 as I was keen to try my new-to-me Lumicon 2” UHC, that’s another story, a comparison with my Ultrablock. But M27 sure looked great……. Thoroughly enjoyed my globular cluster fest!!

And from Ed in Essex 👍

I certainly understand the ‘Refractor versus Reflector’ debate. As I get older (now 74) I could live with a fine refractor as an “only scope”. As a double star fan the pinpoint stars with a good refractor are simply wonderful. Just one thing I’d miss, the way a larger reflector resolves globular clusters into a blizzard of stars. I’ve looked through fine 4” refractors owned by others, notably a Vixen 103 Apo, and TeleVue NP101. Simply divine😊 Years back on a wonderfully transparent night at Kelling star party, a clubmate’s NP101 with his Nagler 31, was truly a night to remember, that occasion is etched on my memory forever. Maybe one day…….

Thanks v much👍👍 Just caught it before the sun went behind neighbours roof line with my Lunt 35.

I have an early version of the Skywatcher ED80 and have the chance of buying a used William Optics Binoviewer. I’ve searched online to find relevant info on combining the ED80 and WO Binoviewer. The purpose will be for low power use only, therefore I don’t want to add a barlow to achieve focus. However I’m thinking I could shorten the tube to allow focus without a barlow. It should be a simple job in principle to remove the focuser and cut the tube. The focuser isn’t threaded on, just 3 screws. I’ve read that this could vignette a low power view if tube baffles are not removed. I have both 1.25” and 2 inch diagonals. Has anyone reading this ever tried it and do you have any hints and tips, or any thoughts? Thanks very much in advance 👍

Lots of options to build a DIY Dob mount. If it were me I’d make a short plywood box to take the tube assembly with the altitude bearings fixed on each side. Then a regular plywood Dob mount as found on the Stellafane telescope website. (Sorry couldn’t make the link work). Just search for “Stellafane” and you should find it. Having found it there’s lots of stuff if you look around the site. With a short tube assembly like the Cape Newise the mount needs to be tall enough to make viewing comfortable. I’d consider seated observing so the mount doesn’t have to be too tall and therefore unstable. Wishing you success……cheers, Ed.

As already mentioned, whether it’s a scratch or a hair it won’t have a bad effect on the view. All optical surfaces tend to look dreadful under bright torchlight. Best advice- don’t shine bright lights at your mirror😁

Another simple solution if you want an image. 1. Google it. 2. Enjoy it. 3. Sorted😊 This is definitely said in a friendly fashion. I’ve been involved in amateur astronomy for a long time. I’ve seen new people come (that’s great) and jump into astronomy imaging in a big way. They’ve spent loads, tried hard, expended lots of energy and sleepless nights. Some have progressed to make top quality images, and I admire them. But many have fallen by the wayside and ended up frustrated and selling all their kit at great loss. So tread carefully, there’s no rush. Take advice from those who have succeeded and from those who have not. If you really think it’s for you go for it, I wish you well. Or step back from imaging and enjoy the universe in a simpler way. There’s no right or wrong way to do astronomy, it’s what works for you. Cheers, Ed.

Simple solution to all this hassle. For visual- 1. Get a Dob. 2. Learn the sky. 3. Sorted😊

Although the mirror is in poor condition a star test will still be valid. If it were me, I’d collimate and try it. Make sure it’s fully cooled and learn how to star test. A basic star test at medium to high power tells a lot. Be aware that the star test can reveal minor errors of no real consequence, so be critical but not over critical. Only you can decide if it’s worth spending the money. If the mirrors are poorly figured then a recoat will mean it’s a light bucket for galaxies and faint nebula. On the other hand you may just get a nice surprise and it’s a competent all-rounder👍

This is a very sad story that I’m sorry to hear. I’ve had truly excellent scopes from OOUK. I had one that was a real dog that should definitely never left the factory. That’s not just my opinion but a local friend who’s made excellent big mirrors for others (in his well equipped optical workshop) said the so-called 10th wave designated mirror was about 1/2 wave, in other words total rubbish. I realise this thread is about an imaging scope, mine have been basic Newtonians. If I were buying again I’d go with a Dob from FLO knowing in the unlikely event of a problem FLO would sort it in a friendly fashion. And I’d save a lot of cash too.

Experimentation is key. I’ve seen plastic packing strap with a crisscross pattern embossed, that could work so best to try it and find out👍

Eyepiece choice? It’s not life or death it’s much more serious than that😁

Welcome to SGL👍 Do you have an owner’s manual? If not then I’m sure an online search will provide, or look for a review. When using this type of telescope in automated mode don’t skimp on the batteries especially using at night. In lower temperatures batteries are less effective, so have spares available or use a power tank.

I can recommend the BST 8mm, works surprisingly well in my 10” f4.8. Same for the BST 5mm for high power.

As already said the mirror is not dirty enough to affect the view. But if it bugs you then consider giving it a wash, it’s really no big deal if you’re careful and take your time.

For myself for visual observing I’d choose a 12” Dob from FLO. At £849 that leaves £151 for accessories, so premium eyepieces not within the £1000 budget, so I’d make do with whatever I could get. The above wouldn’t suit yourself for imaging, but for visual…………a 12” Dob + dark skies = Bliss!

You can’t beat a Newtonian on price to get good views. The post by Cajen2 is very relevant, and I agree that a 6” reflector is the way to go if you need something lighter than a 200p. Lots of choices with 6” reflectors, choose wisely and enjoy 👍

I’m replying because no one else has😊 Best guess to answer your question. If it were me I’d squeeze everything you can from your current scope before considering an upgrade. Put the money you save towards your next energy bill……..😳

Great to hear about your projects 👍 If you do a search for planetary scopes by Gary Seronik he too made a planet-killer. I recall it was a long focus 6” Newt with a tiny secondary. Gary was with Sky & Telescope magazine for many years. Thread drift warning 😊…….I have an Edmunds Astroscan that Gary worked on by shimming the front optical window. It was owned by Ade Ashford who also worked at S&T. When Ade moved back to the UK he brought that Astroscan, I subsequently bought it. The Astroscan is at the opposite end of the spectrum of scopes….horses for courses….. Ed.

Hi and good wishes from the UK, I have fine friends in your country near to Hyderabad. I think the best thing you can do to answer your question is to read as much as you can in the binocular section of this forum. There’s much to learn from all sorts of people offering advice and help. Best regards from Ed.

A roll of black electrician’s tape is very inexpensive to sort the bright colour, or is it the whole design you don’t like?

Agreed the primary mirror should be pristine and the packaging should be sealed so no contamination present. Under the circumstances I’d also be disappointed. Having said that, I’ve looked through big Dobs (owned by others) with VERY dirty mirrors and the views were great! If it were me, I’d contact the company with pictures, therefore lodging a complaint. Perhaps after you carefully wash the mirror it will be pristine. Whatever, my best wishes for a satisfactory outcome.

Hi Oliver and welcome to SGL 👍 Perhaps your focuser has a problem that you’re hoping to sort with a motor? If so there’s adjustments available on that focuser you could try. Ed.

Your’re not missing anything😁