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Everything posted by chiltonstar
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SCT, Mak or frac?
chiltonstar replied to OK Apricot's topic in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice
Before you hit the buy button, maybe look at some images with each type of scope on challenging subjects like Plato craterlet detail and Saturn. Images are inherently objective, visual descriptions tend to be subjective. Chris -
Good detail. Chris
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Another new AR, 12941 appearing around the limb
chiltonstar replied to Stu's topic in Celestial Events Heads Up
Had the scope out just now although the haze is annoying. Nice to see some activity though. Chris -
I know what you mean - obsessive fiddling to try and get a very slightly better result. Astronomer's OCD! I fiddle with this one quite a bit, each time another craterlet appears.... Chris
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Nice detail! Shows the advantages of a 10" scope! Chris
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Agreed! Unfortunately size is everything provided the scope is performing properly. I can certainly get more detail than this on the craterlets with my 180 Mak, and 8"SCTs I've played with have done as well. Chris
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How does the craterlet detail compare? Chris
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Interesting Neil - gives me an idea of the performance of a CC compared with say a Mak. Keep them coming! Chris
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Dubhe - another really tough one !
chiltonstar replied to John's topic in Observing and Imaging Double and Variable Stars
Yes, agreed. At their best in good seeing, Maks can be truly "refractor like" but if the seeing is poor or the scope not equilibrated, the view is less good. However, I have found that sometimes going to a higher mag just shows the Airy disks without the diffraction mess which is of course fainter. The main point being I suppose that most of us could not afford or lift a 7" frac with a 2.7 m focal length. Chris -
Dubhe - another really tough one !
chiltonstar replied to John's topic in Observing and Imaging Double and Variable Stars
I've managed a split a couple of times now with my 180 Mak at x375 and x450. The secondary appears as a slightly distorted blob on the first diff ring of the primary, and with dark space so it is actually split. Not an easy one though, needs excellent seeing. Chris -
7 Tauri at last
chiltonstar replied to Nik271's topic in Observing and Imaging Double and Variable Stars
Last night's seeing was excellent here despite the Moon, and the thick hoar frost covering everything underfoot, so an evening to try 7 Tauri with the 180 Mak. The faint, wide mag 10 component was clear despite the sky brightness, and the main pair looked to be a double even at low mag. High mag (x375) showed the pair as a very white close pair like car headlamps seen at a distance, with clear dark space between them, and a stable single diffraction ring. I was surprised by how good the separation was - it almost looked more than the 0.8 arcsec listed in Stelle Doppie, but a tribute maybe to the wonderful seeing. A lovely multiple, thanks again Nik for the heads up. Chris -
Moonlit Doubles & Superb Seeing
chiltonstar replied to SuburbanMak's topic in Observing and Imaging Double and Variable Stars
Superb post! There are some superb doubles in Orion and the 127 Mak a lovely scope (I have had one for 12 years). Chris- 14 replies
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7 Tauri at last
chiltonstar replied to Nik271's topic in Observing and Imaging Double and Variable Stars
Revelation 2" SCT Crayford, dual speed. Fits on easily, said to vignette at low power with a wf eyepiece, but I've not noticed it. Chris -
7 Tauri at last
chiltonstar replied to Nik271's topic in Observing and Imaging Double and Variable Stars
7 Tauri is on my list - sounds like a nice multiple to test system and eyes. If you struggle with focus at high mag Nik, a decent focuser is a great help - I added one a year or so ago and it really makes it easy, particularly for imaging. I can send a pic if you like. Chris -
32 and 52 Orionis
chiltonstar replied to Stu's topic in Observing and Imaging Double and Variable Stars
100mm is a good aperture for doubles, but good to see that the laws of physics still apply even in these times of inflation! Chris -
Theta Aurigae
chiltonstar replied to lunator's topic in Observing and Imaging Double and Variable Stars
Nicely done! A difficult pair to image because of the mag difference. Chris -
The oldest person you know who still observes?
chiltonstar replied to F15Rules's topic in The Astro Lounge
There is the alternative way of looking at it that astronomy helps keep the little grey cells working in older age. An hour spent fiddling with software, hardware and a stack of books should certainly keep you younger. So, something to take up in older age! Chris -
Lunar closeup Stella Lyra Classical cassegrain
chiltonstar replied to neil phillips's topic in Imaging - Lunar
A nice result Neil. Not a lot of images obtained with these scopes yet, so keep posting them. Now the Craterlets would be interesting.... Chris -
I don't see any polar variation visually but imaging Uranus seems to show some brightness. Chris