bosun21

Personally I would stick with the first choice. The reflector introduces the caveat of collimation into play. This is often a daunting prospect with beginners, more so if you don’t want anything to complicate things. For the planets and the moon the Maksutov is a terrific little scope and doesn’t have this caveat

I am leaning toward that cause as well, and the fan would cause it to be deposited around the edges. When I looked straight on it wasn’t noticeable, but at an angle it appeared clearly.

Good thinking, I only run the fan for the hour or so whilst the scope is cooling. On reflection could it have been pollen pulled in with the fan from a session earlier in the year, and that was me just noticing it?

The ring was like steam on a mirror only denser. I have no clue 🤔

I noticed a ring that had formed around the outside edge of my primary mirror on my 8” dobsonian. I have no idea what caused it. It was like condensation had formed but it wasn’t that at all. I tried a hairdryer on it but it didn’t do anything. It was really annoying me so I removed the mirror and washed it in the usual manner. Tepid water in the sink with a few drops of fairy liquid and pure cotton wool balls. Rinsed thoroughly with distilled water. I then dried it with the hairdryer, reassembled and recollimated. The ring has now gone but I would like to know what caused it in the first place, as I don’t want to be repeating this every time. Thanks Ian

Some cable management required.

Here is the detailed review that Steve Tonkin wrote for the Opticron Oregon 10x50 WA https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/reviews/binoculars/opticron-oregon-wa-10x50-binoculars-review/

I recently bought a pair of Opticron Oregon 10x50 WA for £69 from FLO (First Light Optics). I am really impressed by the quality of them, both optically and mechanically. They would be a good introduction to the night sky as well as terrestrial. You can pay more for quality binoculars and the skies the limit as far as how much money you want to spend. The reviews left, both by other buyers and our binoculars man Steve Tonkin have been great,

No, only the 1.25” ones are compatible with your telescope. Your focuser is not large enough to accommodate the 2” eyepieces.

I have ordered the clicklock but I tried to loosen the existing twist lock and it won’t budge. How tight was yours and do I need to buy a couple of strap wrenches? Once again sorry for the questions. Thanks

👋Welcome to the lounge, you’ll learn a lot for sure.

The eyepieces that come with a Celestron First scope are probably the worst you could use. They are Huygens and SR(Ramsden). The BST Starguider eyepieces would be a large step up in performance. What sizes (focal length) to recommend depends on what SW150 scope you actually have. Is it the 750mm f5 or the 1200mm f8?

Hi 👋 Steve, welcome to SGL

Well worth the drive. That’s a nice haul of astro goodies!

Just back indoors due to the clouds and a strong wind picking up. I decided to give my Starfield 102 an airing, due to the earlier discussion we were having on another thread, in which this scope was recommended for another member. After a straightforward polar alignment was out of the way I slewed over to Jupiter to carry out my focus check. I ended up spending longer than I intended as the bands were showing pretty well. Both the NEB and SEB as well as the equatorial. I dragged myself away from Jupiter after focusing its moons into little pinpricks. I then sent my mount (EQ5 pro) on its way to seek out M81 & M82 in the opposite quadrant of the sky. Both were seen easily enough, but the wash from the moon was putting paid to any details. I decided to visit M45 which was a delight to view in the Starfield, with no CA as I ramped up the magnification. Then a short drop down to the Hyades and Aldebaran. After soaking up the views, I slewed (well the go to did) up to M31. It was bright enough, although the moon was doing its thing in ruining any chance of detail. Since the moon was playing a large indirect part in tonights session, I decided to drop in on it for a few terminator sweeps. Once there I enjoyed the views, although at high magnification the worsening seeing was evident. With the wind picking up and clouds starting to fill the sky, I selected Mars. I could see the clear disc with some definite shading and darker regions, but no polar cap tonight. My image started deteriorating a lot, and I at first thought I had accidentally pressed a button on the focuser. Nope!, I discovered that I must have kicked the cigarette plug loose in the male/female cable connector that was powering my dew bands. I had no idea how long the power was off, but the dew showed up along with the clouds to end my session. Dying for a hot cuppa and sausage sandwich anyway 🙂

How long did you spend at the eyepiece on each target? I like to spend a bit of time on each of them, as my eyes start to pick out details I wasn’t seeing at the start.

Is it a straightforward swap? I can see three tiny screws. Do I remove them and it screws off? Or is it a different procedure? Sorry for being a pest with my questions.

The Rigel Quickfinder sticks to the telescope with dual sided tape. I had to modify mine to accept a standard finder shoe. The Baader skysurfer III or the V are great RDF’s and come with the finder shoe as standard.

You have convinced me. Order pending. 🙂

There’s a substantial saving when you buy them together 👍

I am another thumbs up for the Starfield. The CA on it is minuscule even at relatively high magnification. I also am a fan of Dobsonians but have to admit that they are not for taking on hikes. With you living in an international dark sky site, it’s bordering on criminal not to take full advantage of it with a large aperture dobsonian. Oh well, if you’re not to be swayed from a refractor then I’d go for the Starfield.

Yes I think it’s the same. Here’s a photo 👇

I also was thinking to fit a Baader clicklock on my Starfield but the original fitting on mine is working well and requires only one hand. I was also wanting to save in-focus for my binoviewer. I must admit though, the scare that @Mr Spock had with his LVW is giving me food for thought 😱

According to FLO, sometime in December.

From “First Magnets “ 👇 Product code F4MG100-1 https://pot-clamping-c43/100mm-dia-x-22mm-thick-x-11mm-hole-ferrite-pot-magnet-68kg-pull-p3763#ps_1_1985