What would you do?

[trudie]

I have been suffering from lack of enthusiasm as far as getting the scope out is concerned, hence I have not been making a nuisance of myself with loads of daft questions.

I think part of the reason is sheer frustration cos no matter how I try I cannot find any darned DSO's, let alone attempt to photograph them!!

Have to wait till until my birthday for the upgrade kit for autoguiding (can't justify the expense at the mo)

Anyway I'm going to Egypt soon (for our 30th anniversary) and am wondering about taking the ED80 to be used on an adapted camera tripod.

What do you guys think is it worth it or not?

Interested to hear your views.

All the best

Trudie

[proflight2000]

Awww under those skys youd have a field day. I took my big binoculars to the sahara desert last year, the skys were amazing to say the least. The obvious one is beware the sand, sand is that region of the world is like talcum powder, very very fine and it will get into anything. Id go for it.

What part of Egypt will you be visiting, would guess you would get some wonderful shots of stars over the pyramids, and at worst because the skys can be quite generous, take a good camera on a tripod and do some long exposures using the pyramids ect as the backdrops.

One tip, if you do go out and about in the sands, take a roll of clingfilm with you and wrap any lenses ect you have in it, dont rely on any bag you have to protect them. Can be good as well for wrapping up the sensative parts of the scope as well. And of course you can use it to cover over those areas where the sun tanning has caused mayhem,

[CELESCOPE]

not sure about taking anything abroad Trudie, but on the other question , just relax, when the nights draw in a bit more, get over to my place , and we can run through a few things for getting set up for imaging , or at least have ago with my gear and see what you can achieve , that way it will give you a confidence boost and decide if you want to spend anymore money on progressing further ,

When u going to Egypt;

Rog

[geppetto]

Me personaly, I would leave the ED80 at home and just enjoy

the holiday.

I would be more inclined to make sure I was kitted out with a good camera

and lens to get some good captures of Egypt.

Re the frustration with astronomy, I think we are all at that point Trudie,

the chances to get out under the skies have been so rare this last year or so

it's hard keeping the faith so to speak

[trudie]

Going 2nd 2 weeks in September if I don't take the scope i will definatley take the bins got those ones from LIDL's not bad at all. Thanks for the offer Rog will take you up on that. I do want to improve the setup but I'm afraid I want it yesterday, Not very patient but perhaps need to just keep trying to find things myself for now. trouble is I think its me being thick and not looking in the right places.

Trudie

[centroid]

Hi Trudie, nice to hear from you again, but sorry to hear about your enthusiasm woes.

Given the almost continuous cloud we've had this year, I think we all struggle with our enthusiasm at times.

As for taking the scope to Egypt, I wouldn't bother. Just enjoy the holiday for what it is, a 30th anniversary celebration, and a visit to a fantastic location.

I don't know where abouts in Essex you are, but I'm just six miles over the border into Suffolk, and as with Roger's invitation, you would also be very welcome to visit my obs, and do a bit of 'DSO hunting', to point you in the right direction. The missus would even make you a 'cuppa'

In the mean time, cheer up, come on the forum a bit more, and then go off and have a fantastic holiday.

Dave

[barkis]

That's a great offer from Rog. Trudie, you ought to take advantage of that, I know I would.

Leave the 80 at home, and do as Phil. suggested, and concentrate on the photo opportunities Egypt will offer you.

Desert skies are renowned for their star filled beauty, so no optical aid will be required, just go and relax and have a great time.

We are all here when you get home.

Ron.

[Kai]

Ditto to what the others have said.Enjoy the skies for what they are,how many opportunities will you get to see that quality.

A few years ago we went to the Maldives and spent evenings looking out over the Indian Ocean drinking in those views with NO light polloution and nothing hindering the horizon.If i had that chance again i would go the camera route and cherish them when i got frustrated with my home site.

Enjoy your Holiday and come back raring to hit the ground running on your return.

Ps Take Rog's,Daves invitations up as well

[jcm]

Hi Trudy,

Went to Egypt a couple of years ago with my wife and daughter.( over the Christmas holidays - much cooler ) Wish I had taken our small bins because the skies are so clear and you are much further south. Site seeing is very energy sapping and I don't think I would have had time for telescope viewing. Enjoy yourself and if you get a bit of star gazing that will be the icing on the cake - er something like that.

John

[Astroman]

Finding DSO's requires patience. Believe it or not, it took me nearly 2 years, under Arizona skies, to find much beyond M31 and M42. A visit to Kitt Peak that actually showed me what to expect at the ep was all it took. I figure a trip to Rog's or Centroid's place for some "hand holding" may just be the ticket you need. If you have a pair of big binos, just take some time to surf around and point the telescope at anything that looks fuzzy. You'll get your enthusiasm back once you've stumbled upon a few things.

As for Egypt, I'd be torn, (I can just imagine the skies out there!), but in your situation, a camera may be the better choice as others have said.

[trudie]

Thanks all,

Decision made, I'm just going to take a good camera and the bins.

In answer to the ? e are going to Sharm to swim with Nemo but will be visiting the pyramids and the valley of the kings while there. Can't wait !!!!

Cheers All

Trudie

[Robd]

Hi Trudy,

We went to Sharm for the transit of Venus with Explores. They specialise in diving holidays, the boss is a diver, but his wife is a keen astronomer so they do astro related holidays as well.

It is true that the Sky's from Egypt can be spectacular, but unfortunately Sharm is not ideal. The whole town is lit up. However the up side is that you are not far from the desert. We spent one night out at a bedouin camp where the sky was spectacular, although there was a very noticeable glow back at Sharm. I would imagine that this or similar trips are available from most hotels/companies.

If you stick with wide(ish) angle shots you should be able to manage 15 to 30 sec shots without trailing. These can then be stacked etc..

The sites are spectacular so enjoy them and the swimming. If you get out from the lights treat that as a bonus.

Mots importantly enjoy your holiday.

Rob