Jupiter, Saturn and Eps Lyrae. Tales of woe...

[Mr Spock]

I don't do much astro these days. When I turned my EQ6 on the handset read 17th Sept 2019....

There are a few reasons. Firstly after setting up and getting into some awkward positions, my slipped disk is really letting me know it's there. I'm dreading lifting the EQ6 back in.

The sky is a light grey colour. Almost like twilight. These new LED lights have finished off any chance of deep sky from here.

Jupiter - complete mush. Can just about make out two belts. Saturn - a bit better. Can see the eq belt easily, and cassini in steady moments. Seeing at these low altitudes is always dreadful here. Tonight is a bit worse than usual. I need to quit on these two until they are much higher.

Eps Lyrae - much better. Seeing is still not good but I have airy disks and diffraction rings on all four stars at x235. My collimation is spot on despite the long lay off. 

I had planned a night of doubles, but, my back is so sore I have to quit after just one.

[John]

Sorry to hear of your pains Michael.

Perhaps it's time to consider a lighter rig ?

If you are dreading setup and tear down motivation is going to be hard to come by.

At least you got out for a bit