wakefield area

[dean w]

Went out to see if I could see the asteriod nothing but cloud now just been out and its clear as a bell typical b####y clouds

[stonemonkeylives]

Managed to get 30mins of uninterrupted viewing of 2012DA14 passing through the handle of the Plough, was quite chuffed it was my first asteroid.

[mapstar]

Well done to all those that managed to see the asteroid.Gotta get myself a scope

[notaclue]

Went out last night with the Celestron. Did not see that asteroid but did see a nice westerly view of the moon and Jupiter. Not bad for a hours viewing.

[Soupy]

Had a great hour out last night, caught view of asteroid, but couldn't manage a photo . Must try harder next time.

anybody up for a night this week up at the mast? Dependant on weather and clouds though.

[mapstar]

If I can get myself a scope sorted i'd be up for a viewing session

[nicks90]

I'm up for a meet up if my chest infection decides to leave me alone... But I'm also spending a few days at Clumber park back end of the week.

Fingers crossed for good weather!

[mapstar]

A question to anyone which way is best to go? better scope or mount for starters? thinking eq5 or heq5? sw200p or sw200pds? with a view to observing to start and maybe a bit of photography at a later date?

[dean w]

I will be up for a meet weather permiting and if its not too cold still defrosting from last meet

[crashtestdummy]

Tbh if your after observing just get a 200p dobsonian to start with and then add the mount a bit later when you want to start imaging

[mapstar]

Cheers for that crash, i'll see what I sort out what about the flex tube versions? what do you make of those?

[mapstar]

The sky is clear by me although got my two girls tonight so wouldn't have been able to get out!

[Soupy]

Mapstar, I have the sw200pds and heq5pro, great set up, a little chunky and heavy but very stable, you will need plenty of boot space to bring it out and about safely. I was always told Best going for the best mount you can afford as you can always upgrade scope easily enough, mounts tend to be much more expensive.

[mapstar]

Cheers Soupy I'd read in your signature what you had so thanks for the verdict on that and advice. I've an audi estate so think I can fit it in what ever I end up with, dob or otherwise? but its gonna have to arrive soon as the stars keep tormenting me!

[nicks90]

Just been out for a couple of hours and decided to set up where the caravan usually sits as its now on the drive, secluded by the garage and caravan on 2 sides. Lovely!

Never really looked north a d east and there is so much up there! Damn this light pollution ! So much so tantalisingly close but ever so not quite! Grrrrr. Quite a few averted vision almost smudges and I couldn't tell if they were really there or not, there and gone in a blink.

God I'm looking forward to some clear skies at Clumber!

[nicks90]

PS map star.... For the price of a 200 and eq5, you could get a 12" dob!!!

Sod staring at a laptop with all that beauty for your eyeballs to feast on with a belting big mirror!

[mapstar]

Cheers nick.I'm still undecided, want something that's portable and a bit future proof as I know i'll want to attach a camera as my sis has a superb SLR I can borrow from time to time.Good on you getting out and seeing something wish I could

[crashtestdummy]

I have a 300p flextube which you can have a look at if you like but tbh i would just get the solid tube 200p as the tub isnt that big,i got mine sideway in the boot of my 206 estate and the base behind it

[mapstar]

Thanks for the pointers, well I'll have a look and see what's available new and second hand.Looking good for later if this weather holds.

[Sammyb]

Mapstar - if you go for a dob you wont be able to image. You need deep pockets for deep sky AP.

[stonemonkeylives]

Mapstar - if you go for a dob you wont be able to image. You need deep pockets for deep sky AP.

Or the patience of a saint as you save for the kit I would go for the 200PDS and at least the EQ-5 mount. You'll have good start if you do decide to do AP.

sent from Gherkin Muncher mk .III (commonly known as a Galaxy S2)

[Soupy]

Looking great for later, touch wood. Anybody up for an hour At Emley mast about 8.30 tonight?

[Nephalem]

I'm going out this evening....gonna try and find a dark site around winscar.

[mapstar]

Thanks to everyone in the dob and eq mount camps for their advice. I think I've settled on the mount and scope route so just a case of picking them up and joining you guys for a few pointers as to where I should be aiming it to see some great stuff.

On nights tonight (why does work get in the way of things aaaarrggghh!!!!) but I've been to winscar today for a walk with my two and it looks good up there to me wish, could join you tonight.

[nicks90]

Not too sure about tonight. Looked lovely earlier on, but at sunset the whole sky had a pretty pink hue all over it. Silly high thin cloud...

Might pop out for some lunar stuff and tick a few objects off my "moon top 100", but I was out for ages last night and only just defrosted.