Ags

Sounds like something Scotty would work on after realigning the warp coils 🤣

Just had a super short test with the SCT, 0.63 Reducer, and an ES 24/68° and NPL 30/50°. There is a lot of astigmatism off axis - bright stars are concentric arcs toward the edge of the plossl field and to a lesser extent the ES. I think this is coming from the SCT as this isn't visible with the same eyepieces and an f6 refractor. It is also less of an issue with the ES because it is a widefield and the distorted edges are just further away! Given the severe distortions, I would say the NPL30 is too widefield for the scope/reducer, but the ES gives a lovely view (~1.4° true field). I turned the scope to the Double Cluster and it was nicely framed in the ES eyepiece with the red stars showing their color well. I moved the clusters to the edge of the field and didn't see any dimming. Also, the astigmatism wasn't really troubling with the fainter stars of the clusters. Nah.... I don't need a 2" diagonal etc...

I think the stated reason was the reducer moves the focal plane, which in turn means the primary mirror is moved towards the secondary to compensate, so the secondary is too far into the primary's light cone, so light from the edge of the primary is lost.

The baffle tube is before the focal plane, so it doesn't absolutely dictate the width if the image circle. At least viewing a tree with a 30mm plossl and a reducer seems to give an ok view. Certainly no hard vignetting. I think by the way that the greater focal length of the C9.25 might make the vignetting harder? Its a longer focal length but the same absolute distance from baffle to focal plane.

I had a quick peek at my local oak tree (I swear it moves around to interpose itself between me and any astronomical phenomenon!) with the 30 mm plossl and the view seemed fine in my deliberately unscientific assessment. The view seemed a little easier to hold with a 20 mm 68 degree eyepiece.

I do find the combination of a 30mm plossl with the .63 reducer is not ideal, I can't recall the details but I vaguely recall seeing the shadow of the secondary. But I might have been experimenting (ok, messing about) by day, so a small entry pupil could have been half the problem. If it stays clear I will try tonight.

It was national sungazing today in NL? I missed the event, but worked through lunch so couldn't set up...

I have used a .63 reducer with 1.25" eyepieces and haven't been troubled by vigneting thus far (not that I have gone looking for it). I am thinking of getting the same effect with less glass with a 2" eyepiece (and no reducer of course). Also, I have read that the .63 reducer crops the effective aperture of a C6 to something like 135 mm.

V2 is spectacular!

I do have a .63 reducer and do use it, but I want to try the 2" route.

Impressive Ha! But M78 is somewhat overwhelmed by comparison? Visually, I can see M78 under dark skies but not a trace of the Loop, so the proportions feel a bit strange, but then night-adapted eyes aren't sensitive to Ha but cameras are!

I never have a problem with using just one eye, especially when I remember to remove the lenscap from the eyepiece.

I have not dabbled in 2" eyepieces because I strongly dislike big eyepieces, but I quite like the low(ish) power views with my C6 and want to explore that a bit more. The 2 eyepieces I have in mind are the Panaview 32 mm and the Aero 35 mm, as I am looking at exit pupils of 3-4 mm. I understand the Aero is better at faster focal ratios, which is a paper advantage as you need to be at f7 at least for an exit pupil of 5mm or less. I do prefer the Aero as it is a bit lighter (360g vs ~420g). Are there other eyepieces to consider? Is a field stop of around 42mm too much for a C6?

I'm not seeing green??

It's sooooooooo dark there! No advice, but I enjoyed a very simple trip - we went to the south-west of the island and mostly stayed around the hotel. Nevertheless, lots of good observing.

Found this old pic from 2011 - my eyepiece case from way back in 2011. This was my NexStar 4SE collection. At f13, the Hyperion 24mm seemed like a perfect eyepiece. The Hyperion 17mm was ideal on most DSOs, While the 9mm did planetary duties. More experienced heads had advised the 6mm was too much in an f13 scope, but it worked pretty well on the Moon and Saturn. I have more and better eyepieces now, but am somehow less satisfied with them!

Albireo looks well controlled with good color despite the long subs. Excellent image!

I need to rethink my rethinking.

I am seeing far fewer slugs this year for some reason. The C6 Performed better last night with my new diagonal, so my drive to buy a new scope is diminished. But now I am rethinking my eyepiece collection...

Garnet Star, Delta Cephei, 61 Cygni, Beta Lyrae, Epsilon Lyrae, M57, Albireo, M27, M29, M103, C10, Achird, Polaris, Double Cluster. C6 and ES20/68°. Decided the ES20 beats the Speers WALER 13.4. Also, preferred the view without the 6.3 reducer tonight, at least in combination with the Celestron prism. Couldn't figure out why I had to keep tweaking the focus... realized in time that the diagonal was working its way out of the visual back!!! Garnet star is not that red, more Amber than Garnet, but very striking regardless.

I am always grateful that my family is understanding of my singular obsession. I try to stick to a limit of three scopes though. I have a C6 lightbucket cooling outside right now, a ZS66 (my main scope, for quick looks, travel and photography) and a Solar Scout. The Scout is a great buy as my partner can share the views without worrying about stepping on a perambulating slug at some unsociable hour after midnight. I would like to add a fourth - something widefield like the ZS66 but with a bit more reach.

I think zero power means zero electrical power.

I think scatter and internal reflections might be a problem, as well as a tiny exit pupil.

I can't stand contacts either actually 🤣

https://www.science.org/content/article/telescopic-contact-lenses-could-magnify-human-eyesight