What did the postman bring?

[Guest]

Mini Pc for the rig and 8GB Ram. Already have a 1Tb laptop hard drive to put in it. 

[Captain Scarlet]

Nexus DSC...

[Captain Scarlet]

On 20/05/2020 at 17:16, JeremyS said:

Baader 2" clicklock SCT-clamp. Allowing use of my 2" BBHS diagonal with Celestron C9.25

Nice focuser, it’s on my wishlist. I actually find the native one not bad on my skymax 180 but still hanker after one. Would you recommend it?

[JeremyS]

23 minutes ago, Captain Magenta said:

Nice focuser, it’s on my wishlist. I actually find the native one not bad on my skymax 180 but still hanker after one. Would you recommend it?

Actually the C9.25 stock focuser is very good, at least in this example and there is very little mirror flop. But the Feathertouch microfocuser is a real improvement.

[Telescope40]

On 20/05/2020 at 17:16, JeremyS said:

Baader 2" clicklock SCT-clamp. Allowing use of my 2" BBHS diagonal with Celestron C9.25

Nice additions Jeremy. Scope looks familiar with that focuser, too. Trust it’s working well. 

John 

[DaveL59]

this arrived this evening, the bay via hermes, quite surprised they were out delivering on a bank holiday. A pentax angle finder 1:1 in original box and case.

Figuring to adapt it for the polarscope on the EQ5 and to make the TAL finder into a right-angle one too without having to hack the finder and fit a diagonal. With that in mind a quick check with an eyecup off a scrap DCF type bino:

 

and it fits, not ideal but will do for testing

Need to figure something else for the polarscope and more secure for the finder, but nice and clear view through the combo so a nice cheap mod  

[TerryMcK]

Hmm what's this?

Seems to be a carrying case

With something red inside

Looks good out of the plastic bag

A little more aperture. A bigger sister for her small ZS73 brother

Just need to dust that lens.

Complete with flattener, Lakeside focuser motor and bracket.

Sorry everybody but it will be months before we can all use our telescopes again by the law of "May contain clouds"

Edited May 26, 2020 by TerryMcK

[markse68]

17 hours ago, DaveL59 said:

this arrived this evening, the bay via hermes, quite surprised they were out delivering on a bank holiday. A pentax angle finder 1:1 in original box and case.

Figuring to adapt it for the polarscope on the EQ5 and to make the TAL finder into a right-angle one too without having to hack the finder and fit a diagonal. With that in mind a quick check with an eyecup off a scrap DCF type bino:

 

and it fits, not ideal but will do for testing

Need to figure something else for the polarscope and more secure for the finder, but nice and clear view through the combo so a nice cheap mod  

Do you lose any fov using it like that Dave? I did purchase an old slr amgke Dundee for just this purpose but abandoned idea as it had a much smaller afov but maybe the one you got is better

[DaveL59]

9 minutes ago, markse68 said:

Do you lose any fov using it like that Dave? I did purchase an old slr amgke Dundee for just this purpose but abandoned idea as it had a much smaller afov but maybe the one you got is better

haven't had a chance to test it properly so far other than q quick play when I took the pics, gave myself a touch of food poisoning so pretty out of action this past couple days  I've a feeling it might reduce the FoV  a little on the finder but the image is clear and sharp. 

[DaveL59]

today arrived

Manfrotto ball head from the bay and a TAL Lanthanum 2x barlow from one of our members here. 

[markse68]

28 minutes ago, DaveL59 said:

haven't had a chance to test it properly so far other than q quick play when I took the pics, gave myself a touch of food poisoning so pretty out of action this past couple days  I've a feeling it might reduce the FoV  a little on the finder but the image is clear and sharp. 

Sorry to hear that Dave- hope you’re on the mend

[DaveL59]

49 minutes ago, markse68 said:

Sorry to hear that Dave- hope you’re on the mend

thanks Mark, yeah getting there. No idea what went wrong as I'm not that bad of a cook lol

[Fieldsy]

🤩

Double stacking filters tonight 🤞🏻

[Fieldsy]

1 hour ago, Fieldsy said:

🤩

Double stacking filters tonight 🤞🏻

A double whammy 🥳

[Guest]

Every photon counts and an ASCOM controller for my skywatcher auto focuser. 

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

A bit boring, perhaps, but I am rather pleased with the 12V 105 Ah deep-cycle battery that has arrived, which should happily power my mobile setup 

[barkis]

That Battery is not for shipping according to the site I looked it up on.
Did you purchase it locally Michael. It's a Biggie for sure. Weighs half a hundredweight 🙂.
Certainly a Beefy beast, 
Ron

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

38 minutes ago, barkis said:

That Battery is not for shipping according to the site I looked it up on.
Did you purchase it locally Michael. It's a Biggie for sure. Weighs half a hundredweight 🙂.
Certainly a Beefy beast, 
Ron

Was delivered in an appropriate container this morning by courier. It weighs in at 23.1 kg (just over 50 lb). 

[Telescope40]

Delivered over the last few days.  Xmas come early. Wallet will relax now.
Via ABS UK - the rings were from @GavStar Via ABS UK 

William optics 1.25 in diagonal. Nice - for my Stellarvue 102 frac. 
Primaluce rings an upgrade / pimp up, for my SW 150 ED 

John. 

Edited May 27, 2020 by Telescope40

[Ags]

6 hours ago, michael.h.f.wilkinson said:

the 12V 105 Ah deep-cycle battery that has arrived, which should happily power my mobile setup 

Your mobile setup's battery weighs three times more than my whole setup (AA batteries included)!

Edited May 27, 2020 by Ags

[AstroExploring]

Today I received a bahtinov mask and the Optolong L-eNhance filter but sadly I can’t use them until next week as they’re a birthday present from the wife 😭

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

41 minutes ago, Ags said:

You mobile setup's battery weighs three times more than my whole setup (AA batteries included)!

It probably weighs more than the entire mobile set-up, unless I bring multiple mounts and scopes. However, the 105Ah version was on offer, and cheaper than some of the smaller options, so I thought I might as well get some extra grunt in the battery. Especially if I want to run the laptop and dew strips from it as well

[barkis]

I have to say that the modern Astro. gear of all types looks what I can only call, Pretty.
Perhaps this plays a huge part in the attraction to buy these days. Of course I'm guilty myself,
having bought a couple of Astro century 21 bits, nothing very expensive.
Those Primalucelab rings look smartish.

I am presently considering a Red Cat 51, but the Postie needn't get too excited, I haven't fully committed.
I'll rephrase that, the Wife hasn't released the debit card yet 🙁.
Ron.

Edited May 27, 2020 by barkis

[Pixies]

Start of a collection.

Edited May 27, 2020 by Pixies

[Star101]

Two more 10Kg weights for when my new scope arrives.

I did try to get quotes from local fabricators to have some weights made as Modern Astronomy didn't show any weights in stock. But when I got no response I decided to call Bernard. Just so happens he has some in stock now. 

I just need the scope now lol.