What did the postman bring? V2

[vlaiv]

Anyone familiar with this strange brand StellaMira?

[Vroobel]

The biggest flat field panel I ever had, thanks to steppenwolf. 🤩

 

 

[Vic L S]

6 minutes ago, Vroobel said:

The biggest flat field panel I ever had, thanks to steppenwolf. 🤩

 

 

I am looking for one as using a large iPad where I'm running the ASIair is quickly getting tiresome. Is this homemade? 

[Vroobel]

The main part is called EL (electroluminescent) foil and I think you can buy it. There is also a powered from 12V power supply. This flat field panel sold by @steppenwolf looks like homemade, so ask him please for details.

A few years ago I made a DIY flat field panel which I'm not sure if is fully OK for my 10" Newtonian. I made it using an LED kitchen ceiling lamp which is much different than the EL foil - the EL light is really flat.

Edited April 30 by Vroobel

[LondonNeil]

Postie delivered a baader t2 prism star diagonal, seems a good price

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/diagonals/baader-t-2-90-prism-star-diagonal-with-focusing-eyepiece-holder-125-nosepiece.html?_gl=1*1jceu8o*_up*MQ..*_ga*NzUzNTMxMTAuMTcxNDU2Nzk0Mg..*_ga_F6VGWQ0MW9*MTcxNDU2Nzk0Mi4xLjAuMTcxNDU2Nzk0Mi4wLjAuMA..

I'm particularly hoping the micro focuser will help as it's going on the mak127.   I can use the focuser on that fine, but if the urge to twiddle for fine Focusing hits me then the target will move in the ep as a result of the way the focuser pushes on the mirror.   This diagonal should alleviate that. 

 

[steppenwolf]

On 30/04/2024 at 20:08, Vroobel said:

This flat field panel sold by @steppenwolf looks like homemade, so ask him please for details.

The Panel was commercially made by a company called Earlsmann. My contribution to it was to mount the supplied panel on a sheet of Correx to protect it and keep it flat (oops, pun!) and to arrange the fine connecting wire to have a detent to ensure that it couldn't easily be pulled from the EL panel if it slid off the telescope!

[Mr_Cat]

My back is now happy  - can't wait to use this polarscope adaptor  
 

[bosun21]

Parcelforce delivery today of a Skymax 180 Maksutov and a 90° polar scope adapter and Reflectix/tape for it. Just need to get an electric focuser and clicklock for the back along with a dew heater strap and dew shield. Once fitted I can then fit the Reflectix.

 

 

[Mr_Cat]

1 hour ago, bosun21 said:

Parcelforce delivery today of a Skymax 180 Maksutov and a 90° polar scope adapter and Reflectix/tape for it. Just need to get an electric focuser and clicklock for the back along with a dew heater strap and dew shield. Once fitted I can then fit the Reflectix.

 

 

That looks nice

[Mr_Cat]

Today is new dew shield day
Thanks Mr Postie !!

[Stu1smartcookie]

1 hour ago, bosun21 said:

Parcelforce delivery today of a Skymax 180 Maksutov and a 90° polar scope adapter and Reflectix/tape for it. Just need to get an electric focuser and clicklock for the back along with a dew heater strap and dew shield. Once fitted I can then fit the Reflectix.

 

 

it found its way to you then Ian 

[bosun21]

56 minutes ago, Stu1smartcookie said:

it found its way to you then Ian 

Yes mate. I was miffed that I didn't have the funds when you first posted it was for sale. I regretted selling my 150 a while back. It's pristine without even a mark on the dovetail as you already know.

[IDM]

A new toy arrived with less than 24 hours between buying online and delivery from Altair. 
managed to get it to fit to my Skywatcher Equinox using the supplied fitting kit. I also like the fact that it has buttons for in and out so don’t need extra handset or to use computer to get approximate focus.

[franticsmurf]

After reading reviews elsewhere on SGL (thankyou), I ordered a couple of BST Starguider eyepieces to start the upgrade process - it's only been 14 years since I got my 'scope (a Skywatcher 127Mak). I blame work for getting in the way and keeping from the night sky. Back on track now.

On the left 5mm. On the right 12mm.

[PeterStudz]

A couple of nice secondhand books from @bosun21. Very well packaged too & both of which I’ve been meaning to buy for a while. Stargazing Under Suburban Skies is particularly impressive.

[JeremyS]

Used book arrived here too

[JeremyS]

2nd edition now published. 

[saac]

Thought I'd treat my laptop to a memory upgrade. Now to find a YouTube video on how to swap it out - oh no I have my laptop in bits  

If you never hear from me again you'll know what's happened!

Jim 

 

Edited May 5 by saac

[Earl]

Hopefully test this at some point this week

[Bivanus]

With only a couple weeks of delay , my Baader Q Barlow 1.3x/ 2.25x has finally arived. Brand new , from a shop , but maaaaan did the postman go postal on the delivery.

Thankfully it arrived and it's working - I use the 1.3x cell in my Poorman's GPC to 'widen' a bit the binoviewer views. Was a tad aprehensive if it will get into focus , but truth be told it's probably more like 2x in the full optical system. Still beter then the previous 2x Barlow cell that was in reality a 3.5 - 4x. 

[Neil H]

Well I wanted a bigger tripod for my seestar so got this one   I removed the ball and plate as that had a 1/4 thread the tripod has a 3/8 thread we're the ball joint screws on so all good 

[Nakedgun]

~

Published last year, arrived today.

 

Can't have too many Lunar atlases!

 

 

 

.

[DirkSteele]

A few posts back I showed that I had purchased volumes 2 and 3 of the The Night Sky Observers Guide. I mentioned the need to complete things left me somewhat exposed as Volume 1 appeared to be out of print. Well it did not take long to post a wanted advert in the SGL classifieds. It was answered quickly. big thanks to @Plantins.

Now I just need to pick up Volume 4.

 

Edited May 8 by DirkSteele
Added seller detail.

[Ags]

ZWO filter drawer and spare slider.

The photo also features my new elasticated filter securing device, I Don't Trust That Magnet (TM), available for only $99.99 from any reputable astro retailer.

[Bivanus]

😄 Ok ,so, the Baader Q Barlow I mentioned yesterday was Part #1 in a late delivery , today Part #2 also arived ,also for bino-viewing: pair of 10x/22mm highpoint microscope eyepieces with dioptry-adjustment by LACERTA ( Mik10xz-diop)  

Tested them in day light view , crisp focus with only the tiniest of CA when looking at very thin tree branches - that's a hard test actually and in my book they are ok especially at 49.90 EUR per piece.