Xgaze

'Phillips Pocket Star Atlas' second hand from around £2 £7 !! Never had any trouble with used books on Ebay, saves them going to landfill and saves you money! Philip's Pocket Star Atlas by Maps, Philip's Book The Cheap Fast Free Post 9781849072397 | eBay I don't own one but am tempted by this!

Good shout about modifying! Here it is: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Telescope-Eyepiece-Waist-Bag-Carrier-Case-for-Celestron-1-25-2-Omni-TMB-/384500329830?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

Welcome Martyn! From another Salopian, now residing in Somerset. I'm sure you'll have some great dark sites there! I'm fairly new to the hobby too, buying myself a 6" Dobsonian last June, I've found this forum to be an excellent resource with friendly and experienced people who are very happy to help! Best, T

Hello all and happy new year! I know this topic has been discussed and I have trawled through them but still have a few questions: As I have a grab and go setup, I'm wondering if this type of waist bag (pictured below) might be useful to save bending down to access a bag/case in the dark on the floor? Also, keep both my hands free for carrying all the other items. Does anyone have any experience of using one like this that attaches around the waist? the one below is £11.99 new on that most famous auction site. The larger holes at the front have inserts to make them smaller so it can accommodate up to seven EP's. The one for £29 on FLO does look like good quality but I'm on a tight budget and it doesn't seem to have a strap although, I'm not sure this is necessarily a feature I will need, if not, is it better to get a case!? Some feedback and advice from those with experience would be very helpful. Thanks, Tony P.S happy to post the link for the bag pictured, just not sure if its allowed?

Hi Dafydd, Both are beautiful images, well done. I know nothing of AP as yet but, in my opinion, the top one has more detail surrounding Pleiades. I feel the extra stars give the image more depth. Thanks for sharing. Tony

Excitement justified and mandatory! I saw it for the first time back in October. I was blown away, what a truly amazing and wondorus sight! Haven't managed too enjoy it since due to a combination of, cloud, not getting up early enough/staying up late enough! Here's to the next viewing...! Clear Skies!

Was just about to post then the following then saw that @Mr Spock nailed it! Many people don't realise how much heat is lost through conductivity when standing still. Good insulation (which can be as a simple as cardboard) between you and the ground will make a world of difference. A good rubber mat or old carpet will work. Particularly worth mentioning to people on market stalls this time of year too! Hope you succeed with warm tootsies @wookie1965! All the best, T

Launch on the 24th?? Need to check the santa tracker to avoid collision !! https://www.noradsanta.org/en/

Hi CC! Great topic, thanks for sharing your choices. I'm always on the look out for new stuff to watch in that precious bit of 'me time' late evening! One YouTuber I have subscribed to, as a newbie, is a chap called Astrobiscuit. He is funny and informative, helped me learn a bit and understand more about telescopes and what can be achieved on a budget! The production of his videos are excellent and as good as some of the stuff on TV. Cheers, T

Thanks John. That quote is very true. Sharing the view's and experience with people is a hugely enjoyable and satisfying benefit that I would never have thought about or, expected before owning a telescope.

Hi Gonariu, All attendees must take Lateral Flow Tests before meeting. This includes everyone who's 11 years and above which Scouts are. So, with negative tests and considering that we don't allow our eyeballs to come into contact with the eyepieces for obvious reasons. Also, that we're all outside (masks must be worn at indoor meetings) I'd say the risk is minimal. I'm sure restrictions, policy and guidance differs vastly between countries.

Thanks again to everyone who replied, some really useful advice, such a great forum I'm proud to be part of! It was a beautifully clear evening when I arrived and got a fire started only to cloud over by the time everyone turned up 45mins later! However, the clouds began to disperse and leave us a short window. We alternated each group of around 4-5 between stargazing with myself and following track markers through the wooded pathways. This seemed to work well giving each group about 20mins with me. Seeing didn't seem that great though, Jupiter was quite blurred and a bit wobbly perhaps due to atmospheric conditions and the fact that I think; even though we were in the next field to the camp the fire smoke was blowing our way - schoolboy error! Anyways, they could see the four Galilean moons. Frustratingly, Saturn had dropped down below the tree line, I think that would have added a much better "wow!" factor! We went on to look at Pleiades and discussed different constellations including Cassiopeia which led us to M31 Andromeda. I feel some of them might have been a little underwhelmed! Then the clouds rolled back! so annoying! we did manage to discuss why the constellations move across the sky heading southwards, how the moon effects the tides and one or two other question and answers that will go towards their Astronomer badges so, all was not lost! with most enjoying the short session. Looking forwards to another go, better prepared and in the warmer months! Best, Tony

Great story CB! Thanks for the advice.

I like this idea almcl. Could be a fun challenge for us!

Thanks John, Useful advice. They will be in their troops with a leader. Briefing will be important and emphasised. Looks like we'll be short on helpers, one of the three of us has gone down with flu!😑 Hopefully, one or two parents will be around!

Hi all, I'm training to become a scout leader. On Monday evening we're planning to take a group on a stargazing session as part of their astronomy badges. Weather permitting of course! There's around 20 in the group. Session will begin at 18:45 for about an hour. It's going to be on the edge of large woodlands near the scout camp, Bortle 4. I will take my Heritage 150p there has also been a scope donated that I haven't seen yet. One or two of the scouts have scope's they will bring and I've told them to bring binoculars if the have. So, apart from Jupiter, Saturn, Pleiades, Andromeda and, perhaps Bodes galaxies there are probably one or two other clusters we might see... Does anyone have any other targets or ideas I could add to the list? Or, if anyone has any experience of stargazing with Scouts or groups of youngsters, what worked well and what to avoid! Any help and advice will be much appreciated! Regards, Xgaze

Well done Stu! Been meaning to contact them about the one outside ours. It's horrendously bright! Not just ruining star gazing but at night the front bedroom is like it's in daylight! Sending an email now! Cheers, T

The Heritage scope's have a small plastic 'dove tail' type fitting on the OTA. I think it's called a shoe? Doesn't look like it's compatible with the ones in the link. Or am I missing something, is there some kind of adapter? interested as I too need to replace the woefully inadequate red dot supplied with the scope. Not just because it moves out if alignment all the time even when switching on/off!

Beautiful shot! My family are farmers near Clun. Must take the scope up next time I visit! Many thanks, Tony

Lovely report, thanks for posting! Can I ask; what part of Shropshire were you. I'm a Salopian but haven't done any viewing there yet!

Too right! I'm with you all the way! I think this has to be my favourite view so far...!

I'm in the process of making one from a section of an old oak tree, in the round. I like the idea of natural materials and new tech combined! Will post pics when done... I'll only put three legs on it though this will make it more stable on uneven ground. Until I've finished that, I've been using an overturned old metal dustbin! It's the perfect height and works a treat! combined with a lightweight, folding 'shooting' type chair. Let us know what you choose/make. Good luck!

These are brilliant, I'd be very happy with them from my 150p. Encouraging! Thanks again!

Thanks Stu, Some good and encouraging advice there! I have put a shroud on the scope however, it causes problems when collapsing and extending the truss, gets stuck in two points: where I've cut out the hole between the EP and secondary mirror and also on the bolts that attach it to the dovetail/mount. Annoying having to hold it away from these parts every time I set it up/ pack away! I have overcome the former by not fully closing the truss. The other advised and common modification to this scope; the PTFE tape on the focus thread seemed to just 'file' bits of the tape off over time which built up debris or tape filings inside the OTA with the potential to find their way into the primary mirror so, I removed it.I Iwill say that helix or threaded focuser is a big downside to the scope but I'm very happy with it over all. Thanks again, Tony

Really, it was two sessions last night/early morn. Firstly, began cooling the Heritage 150 DOB at around 20:30. Seemed a nice clear night, started with viewing Jupiter with its 4 moons laid out fairly evenly spaced. Using the BST 8mm the Details on the planet itself wasn't as good as usual. Moved over to Saturn, luckily, the moon was behind a large brewery chimney so didn't seem to hamper the viewing too badly. As ever, Saturn didn't disappoint, read somewhere that the Cassini division was discernable using the stock 10mm!!?? I've not managed this with the upgraded BST 8mm, I wonder if it's possible at all with this set up?? Anyway, it's nice to pick out two of it's moons were they Titan & Rhea? Then decided to move over to PLEIADES using a 32m Plossl this was a lovely, bright treat! Then wondered up to ANDROMEDA, after spotting in the 32mm EP I put the 8mm back in. Viewing this seems to get better each time I visit, guess my brain is getting used to interpretation of it? Moved back over to the DUMBELL NEBULA, bit underwhelming, tried bumping up the mag with the BST 'shorty' X2 Barlow, seemed worse if anything! Just a bigger smudge! Then spent some time looking for (or at) Neptune. Pretty sure I'm in the right spot now, using a mixture of star hopping, binoculars and Stellarium. So, I'm about certain I've found it but can't tell the difference from neighbouring star's, I thought it would be different somehow perhaps even a blueish hue? Is that too hopefull with my setup? Session was interrupted by a chap parking his car in the car park where I was pitched up right in front of his space! Holding my hand up, standing in front of my setup (DOB on an overturned old metal dustbin!) I waited until I was sure he'd seen me before lifting the setup out of the way. Despite completely ruining my adapted night vision, after greeting him, he asked what on earth I was doing, I replied and asked if he'd like to have a look to which he replied: "I'd love to!!" Spent the next 10-15 minutes with the complete stranger who's face I couldn't even see! showing Jupiter and Andromeda (unfortunately, Saturn had sunk behind the brewery). He asked lots of questions which I did my best to answer, he seemed really in awe and thankful!! Knowing Orion was rising later in the night/early morning, I thought I'd turn in and get up for the show.... It was better that I could of hoped! With the DOB now safely in my garden it had, had plenty of time to cool! I woke at around 5:30am, managed to get ready without ruining my adapted vision. Found the nebula right away, first time viewing this, it was incredible! Saw what I hope might be a meteorite between 5:35 - 5: 45 travel across the view of the nebula, seemed too fast and dim to be a satellite? Did anyone else see this?? What a brilliant hobby!! Must have spent most of the next 30mins just drinking in that wonderous view of the Orion nebula. Didn't see any colour but, in my opinion; it is better that those sickly, over coloured images created with cameras! It was the real thing with photons traveling directly to my eye! Mind boggled at the size of it and how black space looked behind the centre where the four stars are situated (apologies for my lack of names/knowledge, still quite new to it all). All my equipment has paid for itself in 'WOWs" ten times over! Thanks for reading! Clear skies to all! Ex