GSmith

Have a look here https://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomy-optics-cleaning-protection.html

A lovely AZ-Baby mount from Stu

I use these desiccants from Halfords, they work fine. https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-accessories/interior-car-accessories/air-dry-classic---car-dehumidifier-170096.html?istCompanyId=b8708c57-7a02-4cf6-b2c0-dc36b54a327e&istFeedId=367c5610-f937-4c81-8609-f84582324cd6&istItemId=xttwwiwrt&istBid=t&_$ja=tsid:|cid:14295650065|agid:125190219999|tid:pla-330542459504|crid:539441682431|nw:u|rnd:10690552207211691477|dvc:t|adp:|mt:|loc:1006946&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjtSJnY-F9gIVz-3tCh0ZsANZEAQYASABEgLjBfD_BwE

https://www.dewcontrol.com/Dew_Heaters/cat3099126_2678517.aspx These can be made up with ASIAIR plugs.

Shameless plug for a previous topic - count the stars inside Orion and report data... starts 26 Feb.

Slight moment of panic when saw a bit of a dink on the outer packaging but happy to find my shiny new Zenithstar 61 is a-ok

Seeing the rings of Saturn through an eyepiece for the 1st time. Tiny and wobbly but still fantastic.

From the local Freecycle group. A bit faded but can’t complain for £0 and a 10 min walk...

How about the non-Astro specific solution? I’m using ankle exercise weights for fine balance (about £10 for 2 from Argos or similar). Takes about 10 sec to put on the tube with non scratching Velcro strap, can be slid up and down the tube to suit.

A real work of art.

https://www.cpre.org.uk/what-we-care-about/nature-and-landscapes/dark-skies/star-count-2021/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=engagingnetworks&utm_campaign=SC2022_PastPax_SaveTheDate&utm_content=Star+Count+2022+past+pax+-+save+the+date it only took 5 mins to participate last year and the results are pretty interesting! A useful addition to the usual dark sky maps. 2022 star count is running at end of Feb for 2 weeks.

Great article, thanks for posting. It’s quite difficult to envisage such a massive balloon but an innovative alternative to a satellite. Makes back-garden astrophotography sound easy!

Great talk, thanks!

Yes, the North_Level alignment brings my Az_Gti pretty much into alignment if I level the tripod at the start. Takes a minute or thereabouts, so great for snatching a peek at the sun between gaps in the clouds.

I usually have a peek at the Double Cluster in Perseus, and the Albireo double star.

I thought it was great that the finder chose to donate it to science. Contrast this to a news article from last year where a meteorite crashed Through a roof and the owner sold it for £1.4 million...

Try here https://m.youtube.com/user/britishastronomical

I’m another solar newbie. We had Lynn Smith from the BAA solar section do a great talk via Zoom at the local Astro society meeting recently. It’s well worth looking this up on YouTube so you can put what you see into context.

Same here...

I looked at the Baader zoom but ended up getting the Celestron 8-24 instead as it was a fair bit cheaper. I’m very pleased with it.

Perhaps try one of these? https://www.screwfix.com/p/turbogold-plastic-screw-gauge/7337J?kpid=7337J&ds_kid=92700048793290424&ds_rl=1249413&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIx7qhzsah7wIVxO3tCh3P1AuOEAsYASABEgIO4fD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Ash, Don’t know if it of interest, but I’ve been tempted to have a go at creating some of the awe-inspiring Astro images as there seem to be more cloudy nights than clear. I don’t yet have a camera so I’m starting out by using raw data from here: https://stargazerslounge.com/forum/294-iki-observatory/ There are some really good tutorials on the web showing how to do this...

There are links to live broadcast (and recorded) electronically assisted Astronomy sessions here: https://www.cloudynights.com/forum/73-electronically-assisted-astronomy-eaa/

I had exactly the same problem. The booklet that came with the mount could be clearer! There is a discussion thread on this forum which give instructions, you can find it if you search for SW AZ - Gti mount firmware update??

One also available here if you’ve got a tight budget. https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=170860