stafford_stargazer

1 hour ago, IB20 said:

If its red and blue glare either side of the planet’s edges then it will be atmospheric dispersion. Lower altitudes and bright planets will normally lead to such.

No it's a like reflection internally glare, white ish . Thanks 👍

1 minute ago, Stu said:

Which scope are you using Gary? A reflector will show wide diffraction spikes coming off Jupiter. A slightly dewed up objective or eyepiece can also result in glare around the planet.

RVO horizon 72 ED f6  FPL53.

My eyepeices are baader 6mm and tmb 3.2mm.

I think it may be quality of those but not sure.

2 minutes ago, Mr Spock said:

Is it glare from Jupiter, or internal reflections from the eyepiece?

That I don't know and am trying to find out, my eyepeices are not top notch baader 6mm and 3.2mm tmb.

Viewing Jupiter I get some glare from around the planet when visually viewing.

Is this normal or are my eyepeices rubbish?

Thanks Gary 

35 minutes ago, jjohnson3803 said:

I recently bought an Astronomics AT72ED which looks very similar except for paint color(s).  They don't supply optical test results, but I'm loving the thing so far.  It's so portable that I fear my 102ED might be destined for the classified ads.  😉

And BTW, those blue setting circles are quite stylish!  Seriously.

Hi mate 

Yes I've seen a couple which look identical but different paint jobs 😁

I love the portability and the quality for the size is amazing.

Ummm 102ed....😉

Thanks on the blue setting circles 👍

5 minutes ago, mikeDnight said:

It may sound strange that a cheap binoviewer with a 2x Barlow attached to its nose, and a couple of good plossl's or orthoscopics, could significantly improve the already great view through a high end eyepiece, but its true.  When you think about it, its quite logical really, as you're using both retinas and therefore twice the receptor sensitivity.  For the Moon and planets you'll not regret it, even with a small aperture scope. The Equinox 80ED below was a breathtakingly good  lunar and planetary scope when used with a cheap binoviewer.

Nice setup, I fancy trying one now, I bet it's comfortable viewing 😁 have you a make or model for yours? Thanks Gary 

45 minutes ago, Louis D said:

Before investing in exotic glass like Tak TOEs, I would look into getting an entry level binoviewer and a good quality Barlow to boost power when using 15mm to 25mm eyepiece pairs.  I find I can see far more detail on planets using two eyes instead of one.  It also cuts down on glare because both eyes see the same brightness.

I compared the view of Mars at opposition through my Pentax XW 3.5mm and Pentax XL 5.2mm against my Arcturus BV loaded with a Meade 140 2x Barlow element and 2 Svbony UWA 20mm eyepieces.  It was no contest.  The BV was showing loads of detail while both Pentaxes showed a featureless and overexposed orange disk.

Wow many thanks for the info, didn't think a binoviewer would give more detail.. appreciate all the advice ..another option for sure . 🙏🙏

34 minutes ago, jetstream said:

Just saw your scope in the other thread- nice scope!

Really it depends how much you want to spend but a good barlow would be an asset like the Baader VIP. Also you can get eyepiece barrel extensions to increase the distance of the EP to barlow lens. Its too bad the Vixen HR are no more- they were made for your application.  Keeping an eye out for these is also a great option in the used market. They are stunning.

Thankyou for your kind words and information on eyepeice.

I didn't know about extensions or wether a good Barlow would suffice.

But I've got more of an idea now.

Those eyepeices I'm not familiar with but I'm on Google in a minute 😁

Thanks Gary 

I know the scope isn't really suited for planetary but it does give a good account for itself.

What would be a good quality eyepeice with good contrast around 2-4mm?

Thanks Gary 

Yesterday I made the trip to Rother Valley Optics for the first time, I recently acquired a mak for planetary viewing so that's covered, but because I can see myself moving into astrophotography one day I thought I'd look for an ED small refractor.

I did try a small refractor I bought of a fellow member recently and I did like the convenience and quality, albeit non ED, so I sold it to concentrate on planetary viewing.

But while at RVO I really got to like this scope after having a look and feel, and although I didn't want to spend at the moment I couldn't leave it there 😭.

It comes with zygo report, I don't know much about them, but the bloke said it was a good one with strahl of 0.985. I took his word for it.👍.

I also purchased a descent William optics Di-electric diagonal.

Just need some better eyepieces now.😢

Anyway last night it was First light on the day I bought it, that doesn't happen often as you all know.

The main target was Jupiter, I stated with a 10mm 43x and it was a joy, razer sharp and no false colour, bands were clearly visible and nice points of light were Jupiter's moons.

Moved to a 6mm baader 72x still the same, more detail, razer sharp and no false colour, as expected really.

Then tried the 3.2 tmb planetary eyepiece, 135x, and it still showed perfect and razor sharp, more detail than I'd seen before, my wife came to have a look and she said "I can clearly see the two lines now"  she's struggled before in any other scope, but this little thing really does perform.

I know it could be conditions too, but I felt I could of pushed this little scope to 200x and it would of been good.

I'll have to get a descent Barlow to try it.😁

Anyway I'm sure I'll have many a good time with this, portable on hols for visual and some astrophotography In the future.

Ignore my mount, it worked quiet well, but I need something more substantial when something comes up, I've only just got back into astronomy after a break of 10 years.

I'll get there....

1 hour ago, PeterCPC said:

Firstly let me state that all imaging is expensive and tends to be a bottomless pit. Having said that something like a ZWO ASI224 camera with a good quality Barlow would be good. Video stacked in AS3 and tweeked in Registax. I find a flip mirror very helpful as well.

Thanks I'll check that out, what would you call a good Barlow?

Any males or links pls?

Thanks for the reply.

33 minutes ago, PeterCPC said:

Sorry my assumption - obviously wrong.

Peter.

Thanks for the reply, all advice is helpful, I don't do imaging yet, but maybe it's something I might get into. Just the cost I reckon could be expensive 😭 I took this one years ago with an old celestron neximager, was when Jupiter had one belt showing maybe 2010.. I just did a 30 second video as it crossed the field of view and extracted the frames and stacked.. is there better quality ones now simple how I did it then? Thanks Gary 

8 minutes ago, Alkaid said:

Not sure that the OP stated imaging??   

Visually it will do pretty well.  The mount might shake a little at higher powers around x150-x200.   But there's nothing to stop you achieving focus.

You will easily pick out detail on Jupiter with a 6" aperture.  If you like Lunar viewing, there will be a host of detail visible.  At F10, the scope is 'geared' for higher powers, so well suited to what you want.

I'll add that it also looks quite portable, another bonus.   

Thanks for the reply, no I don't do imaging just visual use..i was just thinking price for what you get seems very reasonable..

Appreciate it.

Gary 👍

12 minutes ago, PeterCPC said:

Do you have any other mounts?

Hi.

No just a small eq2 mount. Nothing else, just getting back into it and want nice planetary views.

Looking at buying this for planets, what's your thoughts?

Anyone used one?

Any guidance appreciated.

8 minutes ago, happy-kat said:

That's great and there's the comet if its clear for you still

Oh yes, although clouds have rolled in now. Typical 😭 

Thanks for reply my friend.

I think I'll upgrade, it seems ok but obviously I want to get the best out of my gear.

Thanks Gary 

Thanks for the replies chaps, they seem to perform well to be honest, tried on Jupiter this evening and very nice for kit eyepeices.

Thanks Gary 

1 hour ago, IB20 said:

Should be fine at f11.3, certainly the right side of any chromatic aberration as per the attached chart. You’ll probably see some colour fringing the brightest objects but it shouldn’t be too intrusive.

That's a great chart, thanks, I saw no evidence of CA this evening on Jupiter.

Crisp views.. very nice to be honest.

Thanks for reply.

Gary 👍

6 hours ago, happy-kat said:

Looks a great find. 80mm aperture and the long focal length (what does the label say on the telescope) makes for a forgiving Focal ratio (maybe f10) so reduced CA. Should give pleasing planet views. Observe patiently and you'll hopefully catch moments of good seeing.

Thanks for reply.

Tried on Jupiter this evening, the views were very good to be honest, I didn't see any trace of CA even at 150x although seeing wasn't very good.

F11.3 so seems quite a nice scope.

Thanks again Gary 

Are these eyepieces any good? Forgive my ignorance they came with my Orion 90mm maksutov.

They seem pretty weighty , will be used for planets and moon.

I have 25mm and 10mm.

Thanks Gary 

Just wondering how these vixen prism diagonals perform?

Is it worth changing for a stellamira Di-electric diagonal?

What would I notice in difference?

Thanks Gary 

Meade Polaris 80mm f11.3 achromat.

Just picked one up like new in box for very little.

Looking at tree branches at 150x the chromatic aberration does seem that bad at all to be fair.

Just wondering how it might do for planets?

Hopefully star test this evening and check Jupiter.

Even the mount seems very sturdy, better then some I've seen coming with scopes.

Thanks Gary 

26 minutes ago, Carbon Brush said:

The SW127 is quite popular and provides a good compromise between weigtht/size/aperture.
The similar Bresser offering of course attracts the same coments.

A long refractor (for CA) is less convenient for holiday travel.
It demands more of the mount/tripod rigidity for a given weight.

Why not look for a decent used example? That way if you don't get on, you can sell it for little loss.

I bought a used SW127 a couple of years ago. It doesn't get out much because of the other scopes.
But the view (planetary) for ££ spent is good. It doesn't occupy a lot of space at home - or in the car boot.

HTH, David.

Thanks for the info David. That would be fine, I will keep my eyes open for a used one I think, is yours for sale?

Regards Gary 👍

12 minutes ago, knobby said:

Hi Gary, you'd have to define 'easy'

For me I'd say a 150 dob, not too heavy, quick to set up and view.

Is this just for viewing, back garden or take to a dark field etc ?

Hi mate 

Yes at home but also take on holidays too. I don't want a dob, just sold a 200mm dobsonian 2 days ago as I need something I can quickly pick up and get outside .

Can you answer my question about matsukovs then, I thought they were good planetary scopes is this true then or they not that good?

Thanks Gary