Xgaze

Brilliant, thanks! Just answered my question above!

Thank you both. I find your your replies encouraging! I appreciate I'm still very much at the beginning of my journey and still have much to learn. The subject of turbulence now explains why, even after allowing plenty of time for cooling down the OTA and not viewing over rooftops, I'm still seeing that 'wobble' or as said, those kind of heat waves. Stephen, what does "splitting" mean? Is this separating stars/objects that are close together? Heather, thanks for the links, I will look them over. Is there any App. or forecast that will tell air conditions with things like turbulence or, is it just a case of trying? I'm just wondering how I would ever know what's good other than of course not seeing that shimmering? Thanks again both of you, very kind to give me your time, much appreciated! I'm not put off in anyway yet, but perhaps ought to be a bit more patient, allow time to learn more and keep enjoying it! Regards, Tony

Hi Heather, Is the above good or bad? Apologies in advance, I absolutely hate maths and have not applied or forced myself to understand all the focal length, magnification sums and all the rest of it (I know I must at some point) so, I don't yet understand. I know I will reach a limit on magnification in accordance with the scopes spec. Have I done this or not? On seeing conditions, they are pretty good around here. I'm in Bortle 4 and have been out quite a few times so far. Will try again tonight... I have resided myself to the idea that, anything magnified or "blown up" will loose definition. Just like a zoom on a camera phone or a pixelated picture that's been enlarged? Thanks, T

Hi Shaft, Had mine nearly a month now (as per my post above in the link) I have found it pretty underwhelming to be honest! I was expecting it to show planets slightly larger, which it does however, I was not expecting to lose so much detail. Perhaps this is to be expected? But I didn't read this anywhere or have any kind of idea it would, very noticeably, sacrifice definition and clarity for the extra magnification. I did find that DSO'S like, for example, the ring nebula and M13 were better viewing but certainly not the case with planets. I much prefer to view them without it. Wish I'd only bought the Astro Essentials one for £25. I'm not really going to get enough use of the £50 BST shorty to justify double the price. Of course, this is just my opinion. I've been using the Barlow with a BST 8mm, Plossl 32mm and the two stock EP's with my SW Heritage 150. Good luck with whatever you choose. T

Nice report John. I particularly love the way you mention "drifting off to sleep..." I totally relate to this, I really enjoy falling asleep with my head full of the wonder's of space, mostly meditating on one object in particular. The next morning that image is still strong in my recollection spurring me on to the next session. Regards, T

@Dannomiss Hi there, Just wondering, now it's 14 months on, how have you found the BST lenses and their use with the X2 Barlow? Was it the StarGuider X2 short Barlow with three elements you have? I have this and the BST 8mm as upgrades for the Heritage 150 (also a Plossl 32mm) only tested the Barlow once so far but enough to conclude I lose noticeable detail on Jupiter and Saturn. In contrast, DSO'S are much better including; M13 Globular Cluster in Hercules and M57 Ring Nebula. If anyone else reading this has any views, I'd appreciate hearing them. Thanks, T

Thanks John, I noticed you'd rated the Astro Essentials on another thread. Just haven't found a complete review of the BST shorty yet. Don't want to be in a position where I buy the former and keep wondering if it could be improved! T

Hello all, Apologies if there is already a review on the above. (Please direct me if there is I'm struggling to find it!) Feeling my Heritage 150 Dob. would benefit from a X2 Barlow? I'm on a tight budget but could squeeze the £49 on the BST but will I notice the difference between that and the Astro Essentials (which I believe is the same manufacturers?) For £25? The EPs I have are the stock 25 &10mm have added a BST 8mm and Plossil 32mm. What I'm hoping achieve is larger planets/detail and perhaps magnified clusters and other DSO'S. Any help advice or direction to actual reviews/discussion around the BST X2 short Barlow, would be very much appreciated. Thanks, T

These are great, thanks Heather! I'm sure I'll need them. Hoping for clear skies! Best, T

Great! Going to try that. many thanks Heather!

That sounds like a great idea although, I guess I'd need to upgrade and pay for Stellarium?

Great tip, thanks. Keep forgetting to bring binoculars out, off to put them with my kit now!...😀

Hi all, Spent a surprising hour and a half last night viewing an, unexpected clear sky! Found M27 dumbbell nebula for the first time! Then spent a good amount of time viewing other DSO's (mainly clusters) until Jupiter's conspicuous shine lured me in. What a treat it is at the moment! The Galilean moons on show as sharp points of light. Then decided to try and find Neptune, spent a good while trying to reference Stellarium, back and forth, just below Pisces, left of Aquarius...no joy!! Am I too ambitious? Is it possible to view it with my Heritage 150? I was switching between a Plossl 32m and BST 8m. Trying to spot that lovely blue green colour, I guess it would be very small? Either way, it was an enjoyable night, the milky way growing brighter by the minute, had to leave at 1am (when it was probably brightest!) Knowing my young family would wake early whatever! Thanks for looking Tony

Thanks for this, really useful and makes perfect sense. I will certainly have a play with the twist eyecup and see if it helps. Six nights on Exmoor, Alas, only last night offered the opportunity to see anything! Just managed to see M57 for a few minutes and show friends, which was nice. On to the next session... Regards, Tony

Thanks Zermelo! Yes, I have the SW 150 DOB. I admit, I do need a bit more time with the BST. Perhaps having more time adjusting the eye relief will help, is this what you are calling "guard"? Is that the screw threaded end on the BST? Apologies if I don't reply immediately, camping on Exmoor again! Hoping it's going to be clearer tonight! Best, T

We'll done for finding the time and getting back to it! Great report. Love the photo of Saturn from your phone, you've inspired me to have another go! I like the idea and practice of flirting with astrophotography on a budget!! The ring nebula is great! So looking forward to visiting it again in a dark skies area which, hopefully, will be tonight! Best, T

Great reading! Noted a couple of those for tonight! Can I ask, what's a few strap?

Thanks John, Out on Exmoor again tonight a week's camping there. Hoping it's clear enough! Will check out Mirach's Ghost, thanks for the heads up! Best, T

Welcome Heater! This is a really useful and friendly forum!

Hi all, Set up in the car park behind my house. Not a bad spot, away from houses, good views from NE around to the SW. North/Northwest blocked by our large Hawthorne. Started with a lovely few minutes admiring Saturn. Then up and tried to find some DSO's first attempt at M57 ring nebula but couldn't locate. The moon was very bright, too bright to view - wanted to maintain my adapted eye's! Had a mess around with my 32m plossil what fun that is, not nearly as good as the Exmoor Dark skies but a brilliant EP. Pointed it over to the Mirach star to find M31 Andromeda. Finding this with ease now, should have looked at more around that area but got distracted by, what I'm pretty sure was ISS flying past, managed to catch it on the EP but was too quick for me to focus. A little annoyed I'd now lost sight of the original target, I though I'd have another go at the Ring Nebula. So glad I did! Finding it fairly easy this time, I finally spotted the fuzzy donut shape and found it quite exhilarating! The dark patch in the middle of the nebula was quite evident with the stock 10m EP and, I have to say it again; the 8m BST didn't seem any better! Perhaps it is me, not getting used to it yet? The more I looked, aiming the target to the top of the view, allowing it to move across the EP then a slight nudge of the DOB to keep in view, I was able to pick out more and more, sometimes looking away from the nebula using my peripheral vision allowed better details. No colour but what treat it was! After failing on a couple more targets, I decided to have a good look at Jupiter which had now climbed high and bright. Comparing it between the stock 10m EP & 8m BST. I did, this time find the BST had the edge however, because it doesn't have irate the "rubber ring" around the end, as the stock EP does, I found the BST harder to view as steady. Is the anything I can do about this? I know there is an adjustable threaded bit on the end of the BST, tried moving this out as far as possible and having a play but it just didn't give as steady a view as the stock EP. Although, when settled it did give a bit better detail of Jupiters banding. The moons also lovely, punchy spikes of light. Great short session, really pleased!

I saw something very bright around that time moving fast and constant. I pulled away from M31 to view it. I guess this was my first sighting of ISS? Very bright and too fast for me to track and focus at the same time!

Great report! Couple of things noted, thanks! Love the sketches... I'm off to find a black, spiral bound sketch book!

Apologies *Wookie! Damn autocorrect! 😁

Thanks Woolie! It was the second night of trying and plenty more perseverance. I suspect the dark skies of Exmoor really helped too! Really enjoy reading you reports too, I find them inspiring!

Thanks Pixies! Still buzzing over it all. Just wondering, want does BST stand for? I know you meant the 8mm StarGuider EP but don't know what that acronym means. T