GSmith

Have a look here

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomy-optics-cleaning-protection.html

A lovely AZ-Baby mount from Stu

On 14/01/2022 at 12:21, Giles_B said:

Is it worth getting a special cover like this https://www.firstlightoptics.com/telegizmos-telescope-covers/telegizmos_tg2d.html ?

Any desiccant packs you'd recommend?

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.

21 hours ago, John said:

A "witnessed fall" and a carbonaceous chondrite as well. The 28th February fireball did make it to the earth:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56326246

If any of this material ever makes it onto the market, the price will be pretty "astronomical" 

 

 

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

On 07/03/2021 at 11:31, StuartT said:

First of all apologies for yet another newbie post asking about solar observing (I am sure all you experts find it a bit tedious). I just want to be 100% sure that I won't fry my eyeballs!

Can I check with you the following;

1. Solar filters should be covering the aperture of the scope, not the eyepiece (in order to protect all the optics)

2. they should be the metallized kind (like Baader planetarium film). For example this

3. once securely in place, you can observe using regular eypieces with no further filters needed at the bottom end

 

Thanks. I just have anxieties about this!

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.

On 07/03/2021 at 12:13, Steve Clay said:

Constantly check the security of your front filter...I'm slightly paranoid about it.

Steve

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