Gratuitous Pics of My Refractor

[John]

Well, it's going to be clear, and the scope is out, so why not point a camera at it

 

[JeremyS]

Great stuff John. I never tire of looking at pics of lovely scopes.

Have a good session tonight 👍🏻

[Roy Challen]

I thought you said gratuitous?😉

[F15Rules]

Beautiful John, a "proper scope"!👌😊.

If I may join the "gratuitousness".. I was painting the floor of my recently refurbished outside brick barn today, where my scopes live, so I had to move lots of stuff out, or up off the floor, while the floor paint dries: so I took a few pics of the FS128 while it had to stand outside, and a couple as dusk fell and the almost full moon rose..

Also, John, did you check out The Trap last night? I had an hour out and despite the brightness of the moon I was easily able to see the E&F stars with direct vision..the transparency here was very good and the seeing was good too, got a lovely clear split of Alnitak as well😊.

Dave

[oldfruit]

Have to agree, the seeing and transparency was pretty good, had the scope out last night and despite the bright Moon managed to have a good session with well resolved brighter nebula and clusters.

Scopes looking good.

Edited February 26, 2021 by oldfruit

[John]

2 hours ago, F15Rules said:

Beautiful John, a "proper scope"!👌😊.

If I may join the "gratuitousness".. I was painting the floor of my recently refurbished outside brick barn today, where my scopes live, so I had to move lots of stuff out, or up off the floor, while the floor paint dries: so I took a few pics of the FS128 while it had to stand outside, and a couple as dusk fell and the almost full moon rose..

Also, John, did you check out The Trap last night? I had an hour out and despite the brightness of the moon I was easily able to see the E&F stars with direct vision..the transparency here was very good and the seeing was good too, got a lovely clear split of Alnitak as well😊.

Dave

Yours looks lovely as well Dave 😀

I did check out E & F Trap and Alnitak last night and quite a few others too plus some lovely lunar views. The seeing was pretty good.

Having a night in tonight. More clear skies forecast over the next few days though.

 

[F15Rules]

Cheers, John..

I've just come in from an hour out tonight..the transparency was pretty good but the seeing wasn't so steady this evening. I did get a nice view of Mars for the first time for ages could definitely see dark markings but too small to make out solid details.

I also noticed a few aircraft con trails..there are definitely more planes in the sky than there were a few months ago.

The RAF have also been doing night flying which doesn't help, although thankfully they only do it one week in every 4 or 5..

Enjoy your night off John, I'll probably be staying in tomorrow night😊.

Dave

[John]

Actually I've been tempted out with the Tak 100 by a dodgy man from Oakworth

 

[SimonIRE]

Mine were also getting ready for the night shift. Same again tonight...

[John]

Amazing setup Simon 

[SimonIRE]

I've been blessed - 152 LZOS and a TSA 120mm. To be honest, and I say this cautiously because a lot of folk love SCTs, I barely use the Edge. I am hoping to replace it (with another refractor). A Tak 128mm is on my wish list but they are very difficult to get hold of. The one in the posts above mine is a beauty. 

Edited February 27, 2021 by SimonIRE

[Stu]

Oh, go on then 👍

Been having a 4” fluorite fest these last few days and nights.

[John]

Lovely Stu !

"OK-4 fest" does not sound as enticing as a "Fluorite Fest" 

 

[geordie85]

Mine are waiting for darkness. Just hope I can get everything working tonight and not have to waste hours on things going wrong or refusing to do what they're supposed to.

[SimonIRE]

Just one more; tonight's shift. 

I got rid of the Edge and replaced it with an FSQ106. 

Sorry about the messy observatory - and the pink Dyson hoover :)

 

[Marki]

My contribution, again in the 4" class. Tonight I'll be using this Skylight 100mm F13 (based on a Carton lens), mounted on an AZ-EQ 6GT in eq mode. Beautiful to use, and really punches through poor seeing. Great for doubles.

[geordie85]

2 hours ago, geordie85 said:

Mine are waiting for darkness. Just hope I can get everything working tonight and not have to waste hours on things going wrong or refusing to do what they're supposed to.

Thankfully everything's working as it should so far.

[Stu]

3 hours ago, John said:

Lovely Stu !

"OK-4 fest" does not sound as enticing as a "Fluorite Fest" 

 

Tee hee. It’s what you see through that counts though. Technically I have three fluorite scopes as the Genesis has a fluorite element. Trouble is it’s in the rear petzval doublet, leaving an achro up front so it does have some CA.

[Marki]

I can't believe I've got a 'scope mounted and cooling for the fourth night in a row! Skywatcher Evostar 150ED ready for action (as soon as I've plugged it all in ).

[JeremyS]

Yup, 4th night in a row here too 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Ready to roll....

[John]

I'll probably pop the Tak 100 out at some point. It doesn't need much cooling time though

It will be a while until the Moon gets above the conifers here so there is no particular hurry.

 

[Marvin Jenkins]

Yes gratuitous, as per the heading🤣 frankly rubbing it in! Still clouded out here, but nice to know someone is getting some scope time.

In all seriousness I am sooo happy for you, we have not had a great time of it, so why not show us how it is done. Would be nice to have a raft of observing reports to read and then try to compare.

Good luck to you all and clear skies.

Marvin