The Start of Something Big

[Sam]

Here's my gear. It's an Orion 8" Newtonian on a HEQ5 mount. There's also a 12v power supply.

In the Maplins Case:

25mm plossl

10mm plossl

6mm Super Plossl

2 X Barlow

SPC 900NC SC1 Webcam

Red Torch

LP Filter

Plenty of space for more

Laptop with Stellarium

(click to enlarge)

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cheers

Sam

[Tim]

Question, (definetly NOT a criticism!)

is the OTA properly balanced like that? I dunno whats inside those tubes, but my gut says the eyepiece end would be heavier??

Cheers

TJ

[Andrew*]

There's a big heavy mirror in the bottom half and very little at the top (small mirror, focuser finder and eyepiece). It would have to be quite a hefty eyepiece to over balance that. Looks about right to me. That's quite a long tube, actually... f/6?

Looks like a recipe for astro fun, that does.

Clear skies

Andrew

[centroid]

Very nice Sam.

An 8" Newt is a very capable scope, and IMO, is the sensible minimum size for a Refelector.

Dave

[Ant]

TJ, remeber that the mirror is down the bottom... 8" mirror - maybe an inch an a half thick does weigh quite a bit.

I've had a 8" newt just like that and it looks about right to me, might need a minor alteration if big EP's or camera put on...

Nice set up Sam, takes me back - I'm not sure if I miss my newt or not.

Ant

[tom.yates]

Nice set up mate

[radioactive]

Cracking setup looks and very capeable too

you must be very pleased

[Sam]

Thanks guys, I like it. It seems quite good for a first scope, better than I ever expected.

is the OTA properly balanced like that? I dunno whats inside those tubes, but my gut says the eyepiece end would be heavier??

TJ, Yes it's balanced, well...as good as I can get it. It does look a bit odd but the mirror on that thing is quite heavy - it's a very thick piece of glass and takes a while to cool down.

That's quite a long tube, actually... f/6?

Andrew, Yes it's F/6 and is certainly a recipe for astrofun!

cheers

Sam

[supernova]

That is a nice photon bucket to start of with, looks like its dark in yer garden to :shock:

Plenty of room for an Obsy to put my scope in Ahem :insects1:

[Sam]

Thanks Bernie,

Not sure if the landlord would want my efforts at DIY in the backyard. It's a nice dark spot around that side.

Sam

[supernova]

Thanks Bernie,

Not sure if the landlord would want my efforts at DIY in the backyard. It's a nice dark spot around that side.

Sam

Give im a go, you never now

[Starflyer]

Hi Sam,

Really nice collection of kit there, a great 'scope and a great mount

Seeing your pics has made me realise that I need a garden bench to plonk my stuff down on. At the moment what doesn't fit on my small camping table gets put on the damp grass

Cheers,

Ian

[Sam]

Thanks Ian,

The bench is very handy - came with the house. The only problem is the dog likes to lean against one of the HEQ5 legs and I'm sure it puts it out of alignment - or is that just my weak excuse for poor alignment in the first place.

Sam

[PhilM]

Lovely scope Sam.

I used to use a similar bench in the garden of an old house I rented - until one night while looking straight upwards I walked straight into it. Both shins had lumps like golfballs on The girlfriend thought it was hilarious.

Phil.

[Sam]

Lovely scope Sam.

I used to use a similar bench in the garden of an old house I rented - until one night while looking straight upwards I walked straight into it. Both shins had lumps like golfballs on The girlfriend thought it was hilarious.

Phil.

ouch! I bet you didn't do that twice.

[Sam]

Just added a Canon EOS 450D to the list - yippie!!

Sam