Deadlake

The galaxies where pretty clear and it was quite light polluted at SQM 20.09. Great contrast allowing the outside structure of the galaxy to be seen. Is a C11 minimum aperture for these types of objects?

Regards CZAS vs Baader. I've read you can use 5-7 mm EP's with the CZAS, how do the views compare with a Barlow in front of the diagonal using a Baader? Convergence in both cases will be difficult....

I surprised no one has mentioned the CZAS BV’s. https://www.cloudynights.com/articles/cat/user-reviews/field-test-carl-zeiss-apochromatic-sharpest-czas-binoviewer-r3282 read the review…

Since the last time I’ve managed to acquire a ES 2” carbon diagonal. Both LongBond and Butterfly have tested the reflectance of this diagonal in the IR spectrum and it gives good reflectance. With both the Antlia and the Baader H-Alpha filters contrast is improved. However comparing with Gavstars chroma filter the Antlia is behind considerable. I do question whether the performance of the Antlia is as speced but without any way to measure the transmission profile this is not available avenue to pursue at this time.

Just got back from a dark site trip. It would of been great if I could of transported the AZ100 and tripod in one bag. Or at very least a soft bag for the AZ100 with dual saddles and a nexus attached. Any suggestions?

How well does the Amici work with a GPC inserted for BV? I have: Baader T2 BBHS prism Baader T2 BBHS mirror Baader 2" MaxBright ES 2" Carbon Diagonal (very good IR performance for NVD), for visual the MaxBright is better. Ideally I'd like too purchase a 2" BBHS mirror diagonal, however Baader is permanently out of stock.

It’s 125 mm and 200 mm lengths…

Just long conversations with some dealers in why it’s not just a glasses properties that effect performance. The actual manufacturing process drives the end result. I’ll dig out the e-mails and share privately if you are interested.

I suspect it's the figuring that makes all the difference as is the ability to test optics performance. Having someone who can figure the lens efficiently makes a big difference as constantly setting up the lenses for testing takes more time that you would think.

I feel a purchase coming on, any idea on weight?

Well that is the point. Burying visual observations using a NV eyepiece in EEVA means no one never gets to read about it. In the end given SGL’s approach I use CN for NV based discussions.

I find BV very comfortable and I'm thinking of getting a BARADV instead of the 2.5 mm TOE as would give the additional magnification. At that point I might just sell off the HR's as surplus to requirement, although I suspect some people would state what about doubles...

What’s the TOE 2.5 mm like?

I’m all for stealth mounts, don’t want to wait people up… As far as INDI it’s vendor agnostic. It’s a bit of a pain if you have a mount and to use it a driver needs to be written for it, but if Rowan feels that the Meade protocol meets their requirements then so be it.

Interesting to know. Any idea on weight at all or will that change with the production model? I'm guessing the control box is a similar weight to the Nexus DSC, so just the weight of the motors on top?

I have a full house The 3.4 mm HR is the most used....

I'm presuming that you can drive the mount via wifi using SkySafari? Is Rowan going to support a standard protocol or does it require a custom protocol at all? Does the mount have GPS or is that in the controller? I'm guessing the one answer to the above but it would be great if Rowan had used INDI which is a lot more open for integration to third party software. How is the mount powered, usual 12 v? Thanks

I have the same set of Vixen HR's as Mike and since I've got the BV's for looking at the moon I don't really have the need for the HR's. Having two eyes certainly increase resolution. I also find BV's good for DSO's. Note: Also make sure focuser has enough back focus to enable focusing when using BV's.

Moon was just too powerful to draw any conclusion. I suspect the Antlia gets no benefict from being placed in between the EP and NVD as expected however the Baader seems too and provides a brighter image all over the field of view compared to beimg placed before the EP. Will need to repeat when the moon is set.

To help you out what objects of interest do you wish to observe and how dark are the skies you observer under?

The chroma for example is specified to work at F4, just right for an imaging Newtonian. The confusion for me is the Antlia is half way as ok down to F3. I'm presuming the Antlia filter works best at the slowest part of the optical path, however I'm hoping that placing it between the EP and NVD will improve the contrast but I suspect it will not. Chroma here we come?

Look at Ed's post's 34, 47, 47, 50, 52 and 54 here: https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/775073-band-shift-and-filter-position/page-2 Looks experimental, I've modified my afocal adapter to give it a go tonight. I might get different results with the Antlia and the Baader (F2) filter which is also likely the outcome, but as I'm trying one I might as well try the other. If what Ed has reported works for the Baader and the Antlia is means @joko will need to redesign the OVNI adapter to allow filters can be placed between the EP and the NVD.

Where was the filter placed, in front of the EP because longbond’s tests state this will minimise bandshift? According to Ed placing the filter between the EP and NVD might be the best location as the Antlia 3nm filter is destined to run at F3 ish (Baader 6.5 nm designed to run at f2). I’d drop the speed to close to F3 to test as faster for the Antlia might not be beneficial. The chroma works at F4, so this might be a better choice as it can be placed in front of the EP and hence a 67 mm can be used so the system runs faster. Also different results reported based on observers SQM, not any easy comparison.

I agree this is basic physics. Within a certain weight change I can see a rebalance is not required, however adding a BV to the scope then I just accept that I need to rebalance the scope or need a weight to change the balance.

@Highburymark Do you have transport to make it out of London? @GavStar is another option as he has the chroma filter. Options: 1) We could meet at Walton-on-Thames Green, there is the pub nearby where we could opion... SQM will be bad, say 19 if we are lucky???? 2) We could meet further out, maybe if I can get sign off my back garden. SQM 20.89, however I suspect slightly lower. This could take some time given the moon is well in control at present. Martin