Ags

The Nagler I am seriously considering is the 3-6 zoom 😀

I did have an ES 24/68 (370 g) and loved the views in an ST80 but I did find it too heavy. It just seemed a bit unpleasant ergonomically somehow. I am looking at picking up an ES 26/62 (235 g) to replace it.

It was clear all day, then cloud rolled in with twilight. I did get a brief look at Vega through thin cloud, so I tried to split Epsilon Lyrae ar 129x, but by the time I switched eyepieces it was solid cloud. But the brief wide views I had with a 10mm Speer WALER were exquisite, the seing was so serene. Waiting for a gap. ... A brief gap came and I had my chance to try split the Double Double with a 2x barlowed SLV 6, giving 129 magnification. I've split this star with 4 inch Maks, a C6 and an ST80, but by far the best split I have ever seen has been with the Zenithstar. The stars looked like stars and not diffraction patterns, if that makes any sense. This is also the first scope I have been able to push down to a 0.5 mm exit pupil without feeling the image is breaking up. I imagine it could take a bit more. Maybe I should get that SLV 2.5 mm.

@RobertI I would love to see those pictures. What spacing are you using? Sorted out my finder mast, just need to buy an RDF.

I was playing with that thread. I have an inkling of an idea to use that ZS66 SCT thread to connect 0.63 reducer for EEA. I expect the reduction would be less than 0.63 because of limited backfocus and spacing, but every little helps in EEA 😀 I don't really like larger eyepieces, so I stick to 1¼" eyepieces (and not even the larger ones of those).

I won't deny I have dreamed about getting a Baader T2 Amici prism. But there are so many other things I want to get, I just can't see it happening.

I did find lots of stuff last night without a finder scope and a 6.7 mm eyepiece in the focusser, so I don't NEED a finder, but I do like them. It gives me a 6-7 degree field of view and I don't have to swap eyepieces. I am also adding an RDF to the contraption, so it's going to be findertastic. I agree that aesthetically, I have taken a major hit. Since I started using a RACI I can actually find stuff, so I have grown quite attached to it 😃 To get a measly 5 degrees from the ZS66 I would need 2" eyepieces, a 2" amici prism, and enough backfocus, none of which I have. Also, the ZS66 focusser is only 4 cm not 2". For travel I would just use an RDF and a 30 mm Plossl as a finder (4°), and just accept eyepiece swapping and a reversed field of view...

Looking for the right "doubles" eyepiece. Maybe a Nirvana 4mm. I think the ES 6.7 mm I was using last night is ideal for general DSO viewing. Or maybe I give the scope a good push with an SLV 2.5mm.

@Louis D that's too near the eyepiece end for a great big 50mm RACI. I tried the below at lunch, but need to go back to the hardware store for longer bolts to mount the RACI on the other side of the dovetail, as this still doesnt give enough clearance around the eyepiece.

It cleared, got cloudy, and cleared again. There was some haze dimming things though. Polaris B was barely detectable in the twilight. One double of the Double Double was split, the other was very nearly split. Perhaps with more magnification than a slightly barlowed SLV 6mm. Albireo and 61 Cygni showed nice color. I do find that star color fades and I need to look away to restore the colored view. Moved on to Beta Lyrae and M57. Despite the dim twilight and nagging haze, the Zenithstar showed a definite ring. I tried various eyepieces but settled on an Explore Scientific 6.7mm for most of the session. Tomorrow I will figure out how to attach a finder.

Glad to hear you are enjoying it. I was in two minds about selling but decided to go for a big clear out and change. I wonder if I will miss the aperture of the ST80 now I have just 66 mm. It's always nice to get new kit and revisit familiar targets with different eyes.

The scope's been around the forum... it's a pity we haven't all engraved our initials on it 😀

It's a humble little battle-scarred Zenithstar 66 SD. It takes the place of a venerable ST80 that has gone adventuring in Ireland. Red, black, yellow, silver and blue... My setup is more colorful than yours! If I get a purple Vixen SSW eyepiece and a green Skywatcher wedge, I will have all the colors 😀 This pretty little thing is for travel, AP, EEA, solar, grab and go and most specifically for charming views of double stars. No reason for this thread except to share my happiness at its arrival! First light is tonight hopefully.

A mysterious silver-grey obelisk has landed in the rocky foothills of Ags-land... The primitive cave-astronomers approach tentatively, brandishing clubs made of bone... The bravest cavestronomer reaches forward and touches the smooth grey surface. My god, it's full of telescopes!

I think it is fully watertight so there should be no internal fogging 😄

Thanks for the correction. I'll edit the original post to avoid causing any confusion.

Small glass eyepiece filters get very hot, crack and can result in dreadful injuries. There are a few eyepiece side filters that can be safely used though. The most common one is a Herschel Wedge, which looks like a telescope diagonal, but it only reflects about one twentieth of the light to the eyepiece (which is still too bright, so there is an additonal ND5 filter to take the light down to safe levels): https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p9409_TS-Optics-1-25--Sonnenprisma-mit-Polarisationsfilter-und-Schmalbandfilter.html I am very pleased with mine. I used to worry the film mask I made would somehow come off while viewing, no worries with a Herschel Wedge.

A free replacement leg clamp knob from Berlebach. Bought the tripod years ago but they sent it to me for free!

Welcome!

Epsilon Lyrae is so tight, I think it is a real challenge. I think lots of aperture is needed and very short exposures.

I found a nice stash of images of double and single stars on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Dritter_wiki

I have been a bit quiet on this thread for a while, but very actively working on the book. I am down to the last 40 stars needing descriptions and "finding" instructions, although I need to go over them all and make sure I haven't muddled my easts and wests! Also I want to add another level of detail to many of the stars. I did however find a suitable cover picture (11/12 Camelopardalis) for the book with acceptable licensing terms. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Dritter_wiki

Other thing I am thinking about is saving my pennies for a I-EXOS 100, but not sure it would cope with the C6 (it would require additional counterweights, which I fortunately have): https://www.firstlightoptics.com/explore-scientific-mounts/explore-scientific-iexos-100-pmc-eight-equatorial-mount.html

The reducer is in place for two reasons - firstly to help with tracking, and secondly to put the double in a richer star field.

Thats an idea - I was also thinking of trying to use IR.