Astro Noodles

One of the things which worries me a bit is the greater precision required with a narrower FOV. I'm not ready to start guiding yet.

FLO have 14 Zenithstar 61s in stock. Not much else though.

Hi Clarkey, I have had a play around with various scope/camera combos on a FOV calculator. The Redcat does offer a reduced FOV over the Tamron 200mm but it is not massive. I have the Redcat on the list because of its proven quality and light weight. The ED72 is definitely an idea. I don't think it uses the same glass as the ED80 though, and would be towards the upper weight limit of my Skyguider once I have added all of the other paraphernalia. Edit: No-I'm wrong, The OTA is under 2kg so that would be OK. I shall add it to the list

I think that I'll spend most of the time making a nuisance of myself on SGL. Like many I have work commitments , so weekday wee hours are out. I'm going to use any opportunities I have working through the suggested targets in 'Turn Left at Orion'.

Hi Clarkey Thanks for the suggestion. I don't know if the 40mm/180mm triplet f4.5 will offer me that much more than the camera lens that I'm using which is 57mm/200mm with 5 glass elements F3.5. Although I dare say that the quality is much better. And the price is attractive.

Welcome to SGL

That's a shame. I was looking forward to reading/seeing what you were going to do with it.

Woah! Just think of the amount of sky you will see from that roof. If you can haul a telescope up there, it looks like there is room for a couple of mates too, with some beer, and even a BBQ. 😁 What's it like inside? could you sleep in there?

Well it's not ISS because that doesn't swerve from side to side. I think it is something closer,

Have you got any pictures of it?

Scrap metal dealers in Texas must be really happy that SpaceX chose Boca Chica for their Starship tests.🤣

I'm really looking forward to the test of the Starship booster. That will be something to see.

Well, we've waited long enough for it, I suppose a few more months doesn't matter.🙂

Very impressive. But enough spy satellites- when are they going to launch the James Webb?

Wow, your very own bunker/observatory. I'm pretty sure that the pros outweigh the cons on this one. Is it secure? What is the area of the roof?

I thought that the issue with the Evoguide was that you couldn't achieve focus with a DSLR. I would be very interested to read you comparison between the two.

Ioptron Skyguider Pro.

Well, I must say that Clear Outside's forecast has proved to be remarkably accurate. I hope the weather improves soon - I don't think my liver can take much more of this.😄

Hi Guys I am planning to get a new scope and would like your opinions/suggestions. I'm not going to pull the trigger on it just yet. Maybe October time if my willpower holds out.😓 I am after a small, lightweight, fast (less than f5), widefield refractor for astrophotography. The Criteria I have set are as follows: Must be able to achieve focus with a crop sensor DSLR. Must be light enough to use on Ioptron Skyguider Pro. Must cost under £1000 including all accessories required (flattener/t-ring/spacers etc). So far, I have the field narrowed down to the following: WO Redcat 51, WO Zenithstar 61 II, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II. Are there any others which I should be looking at? Are there any features about the three listed scopes which would make them a better choice than the other two? Thanks

Hi Kimboman Is this the one titled 'Uranometria Deep Sky Atlas' ?

What, the mount or the bike?

Wit a bit of luck I will be able to get away to some dark sky sites. Might need a lighter tripod though

Wow

Inspired by a recent post by @Pixies, I wonder how you rate the first time you looked at the moon through a telescope against other life experiences. I'll kick off - Seeing the moon for the first time through my 130p was better than seeing The Who in concert.

Sorry, I should have asked - 'What was her reaction? Was she impressed by your knowledge of the moon and the wider cosmos, do you think she learned anything?' 😄