Davidv

Very depressing news as the Welsh government seems to be very keen on these projects. I have objected to this application for the mast as it is the thin end of the wedge on the path to the Aberedw Energy Park application with its 200 metre plus turbines which will be an absolute abomination. The Energy Park will be a separate application and the early stage consultation is now closed. The application for a mast at another proposed Energy Park site, Llyn Lort 23/1329/FUL has already been approved.

Whether you are disappointed with a 5" mak if you are used to 6" and 10" Newtonians may depend on what you are observing. i.e. for me, the moon has always looked best in my 8.75" Dobsonian rather than smaller SCTs or achromatic refractors. (Never looked through an apo). I don't know what sort of diagonal a 5" mak comes with but if it's the common type which flips the image from left to right that will certainly disorientate you when viewing the moon if you are used to Newtonians. Also bear in mind that if you get a 102mm achro refractor you will need a big heavy mount, especially if it's f11. As bad as lugging round a 10" Dob.

Good luck in choosing something.

Hi Nik,

I did indeed observe one of these events well over ten years ago, maybe twenty. I'd been in the pub with my dad having a drink and as I was aware this was happening we made a point of observing it with my 8.75" Dobsonian when we got back to my house. There really were no moons visible - nothing to do with having a skin full. A most extraordinary sight.

I was out at about half six last night and was surprised to see only one moon. I did see two appear a bit later but had no idea if the missing moons were transiting, occulted or eclipsed. I couldn't see any shadow transits.

Cheers and clear skies.

Dave

I remember the Sky at Night program where Patrick was trying to observe with a guest and they were clouded out. The chap kept saying "We're totally obscured, Patrick."

This amused me so much that when I had lugged out my gear only for it to cloud over I would go inside and say to my wife "We're totally obscured, Patrick." (Even though her name isn't Patrick.

I do sympathise with Mr Spock, though. It's the filthy state of an orange grey sky and the noise from the motorway that discourage me from going out the most.

I did enjoy seeing Venus approaching half phase earlier in the year though and will be observing Saturn and Jupiter soon when they are better placed for me.

Dave

You seem to be a very keen doubles man so perhaps you are already aware of "Lyra's Other Double Double", Struve 2470 and Struve 2474. Two degrees North of 17 Lyrae if my notes are correct. I haven't sought them out for a few years but remember being suitably impressed.

119 Tauri is the reddest and brightest carbon star I've ever seen. Looks fantastic in my 7 X 50 binocs. Also know as the Ruby star it's below the lower horn of Taurus. Not to be missed.

On 04/02/2021 at 11:55, wibblefish said:

Glad you found it, I am going to see if I can find the other one Mu Cephei (Garnet Star) which is just off the great square (I think) next time I am out. What doubles did you look at? (Always up for more of those, finding them quite enjoyable at the moment!)

118 Tauri is a double quite easy to find about halfway between Elnath and Tien Kwan on your chart which I found for the first time the other night.

I also couldn't find M1 though I've seen it plenty of times before - must have been poor seeing and light pollution.

White Dwarf has beaten me to it mentioning Iota in Cancer, a beautiful double, and another of my favourites which never seems to get a mention is Gamma Arietis, a beautiful pair.

Dave