Show us your set up in action at night.

[Greymouser]

Just thought I would have a little session tonight, even though Mr. Richard Head next door decided to have his bright bedroom light on, with the blinds open, without curtains!

Sorry for the poor photo, just from my cheapo phone.

First time under the sky, for the AZ EQ5-GT, many lessons learned, not least that I need to get some sort of screen sorted to block the delightful neighbours. I have tried talking to them, to no avail. To make it worse, I think he did it deliberately! Dark adapted, what's that?  

I was a little disappointed, though not really surprised, that the AR-102L took about 2-3 seconds to settle after focussing, at high power, but I guess that even though it only weighs a little over 5KG, it is five feet long. The SkyTee 2 holds it firmer.  Not sure I needed the extension, probably would have been better without, as well as a better tripod. Lots of things to think about, but at least the SkyTee gets a stay of execution. The AZ EQ5, tracked very well but the goto was out, think I need to balance better and align more accurately. Got to say as well that the Synscan system is no where near as good, or intuitive as the Celestron option. Odd considering it is the same firm really.

[Ian McCallum]

Some more from this evening...  No imaging as such, just getting used to KStars, Ekos and Astroberry. 

[ONIKKINEN]

5 hours ago, CCD-Freak said:

Waiting for the stars to come out.....

AP900 / SS15028HNT on new "Texas Style" Todmorden pier at SRO.

The pier will be getting a nice white coat of paint during my next visit.

Is this setup balanceable in DEC? Your mount probably handles it fine either way though.

[CCD-Freak]

3 hours ago, ONIKKINEN said:

Is this setup balanceable in DEC? Your mount probably handles it fine either way though.

Yes it is a bit nose heavy but the AP900 does not care.  I love this mount. (^8

I can put a longer dovetail plate on with a weight to get batter balance.

I was doing a first light test with my ASI-2600MC and did not put the weight on.

[Paz]

A bit of lunar observing this evening. The cloud was quite thick but at low magnification it was a fine sight.

[scarp15]

Another of tonight's Lunar observing, quite steady in Newcastle, no problem with a 3.5mm Delos. 

 

[jacko61]

Yesterday was the first clear night up here since I got my Altair Astro 150EDF apo so despite the near full moon I was out at 9pm having a play.  Didn't expect very good results due to the moonlight and that's exactly what I got but at least I could see how well the Skywatcher EQ8R pro handled the length and weight of the near 150cm load.  No wind and guiding (with an Svbony 60mm guidescope) was as good as I've seen with my ZS73.  Taken through the window of my warm room into the scope room. (plus a gratuitous M101 - 2 hours of 4 minute subs processed in startools - grainy and lacking detail I expect due to the moonlight)

Graeme

 

[teoria_del_big_bang]

That is not at all bad considering the moon stage.
At least you had a clear night, no such luck for me, according to CO it is due to be clear on Friday, just as the moon is at its fullest and no real NB targets in view for me so I probably will have the same issues.

Steve

[IanC11]

[DrMike]

It’s a beast 😁

[Guest]

This is from last night.  I was testing the new coma corrector.  

[Dave scutt]

It's been a long time but out at last and time to try out my new telrad 

[Sunshine]

On 06/03/2022 at 22:15, CCD-Freak said:

Yes it is a bit nose heavy but the AP900 does not care.  I love this mount. (^8

I can put a longer dovetail plate on with a weight to get batter balance.

I was doing a first light test with my ASI-2600MC and did not put the weight on.

Whoa, that’s one serious looking rig you have, it must be so satisfying to have an observatory to keep your gear in.

[Pixies]

Testing the motor controller. A bit too much moonlight!

 

[Sunshine]

Setup just outside door for a peek at Orion perfectly positioned high up. I’m  stunned that I could make out both E&F stars even though it’s a bit hazy up there.

Edited March 18, 2022 by Sunshine

[Sunshine]

1 minute ago, Pixies said:

Testing the motor controller. A bit too much moonlight!

 

Nice, that tripod is mighty high!

[Pixies]

1 minute ago, Sunshine said:

Nice, that tripod is mighty high!

Just trying to save my back while I fiddled with electronics. No serious observing tonight.

[Davesellars]

Both looking forlorn at the sky last week as the clouds had just moved in...

[IB20]

Here we go then, seems to have been an age since I last used the dob!

[JeremyS]

Dizzy ready for action 🤞🏻
 

[F15Rules]

Dancing in the moonlight...

Dave

Edited March 18, 2022 by F15Rules

[powerlord]

fitted a fan to the monster after dew on primary yesterday.. bit of a ballet getting it to play nicely with others as you can see...

 

Edited March 18, 2022 by powerlord

[Sunshine]

1 hour ago, JeremyS said:

Dizzy ready for action 🤞🏻
 

Dizzy is pretty! the fact you have names for your scopes hints you have to many, therefore need names. 😂 Also, I notice you are using the Tak collars which grab and tighten the diagonal and eyepieces, I found the same silver ring just did not hold my diagonal well, maybe my diagonal differs from yours.

Edited March 18, 2022 by Sunshine

[VNA]

On 06/03/2022 at 14:30, Greymouser said:

ust thought I would have a little session tonight, even though Mr. Richard Head next door decided to have his bright bedroom light on, with the blinds open, without curtains!

 

Clothe on or off? 😉

One can make a simple stand or sun shade of a black plastic sheet  or a garden umbrella to keep light away from your observing area.

My neighbors have motion detector lighting, so he can watch wildlife going by, even the occasional coyote or mountain lion . So I installed a simple system that I erect when I am out there, it helps a great deal.
That same neighbor likes to have lights everywhere in his garden, even the trees have a light treatment,  it is pretty,  but. . .

[JeremyS]

1 hour ago, Sunshine said:

, I notice you are using the Tak collars which grab and tighten the diagonal and eyepieces, I found the same silver ring just did not hold my diagonal well, maybe my diagonal differs from yours.

Yes, I use the Tak connectors on several scopes with no problems