one for pol - jupiter

[Pol]

Re: one for pol - jupiter

had another go tonight with a pair of 2x barlow's. they worked, but as i was helping my nephew with maths didn't get outside until 2130. then had to wait for jupiter to clear the neighbours tree, so didn't start imaging it until it was low in the sky. the results weren't good, but as a proof of concept, it was fine. think i'll just buy a single 5x barlow.

i did get to finally put the hydrogen alpha sensitive 20d through its paces though. got a totally new take on the orion nebula. will try and get them processed this week. focusing was a PITA (it's a modified 20D rather than the 20Da which has live view) and took a few mins of trial and error to get dialled in.

I'm looking forward to seeing your latest picci of the orion nebula.

Good to know the doubled up Barlows worked too. David only has a 2x barlow here so maybe he'll eventually get something with more magnification at some point in the future when he manages to get his setup sorted and he's done more revision.

I'm very pleased he's finally getting down to it again as I'm aching to just see these things for myself. I just wish I could manage to carry and work the 'scope myself. Finding a suitable storage space downstairs for all his kit would also be good. Maybe we should get him a dedicated shed outside , maybe he could even live in it, eh.

Pol

[devilgas]

Re: one for pol - jupiter

I'm looking forward to seeing your latest picci of the orion nebula.

uploaded to my gallery and the http://dpnow.com/forum2/showthread.php?t=12690 thread

[devilgas]

Re: one for pol - jupiter

Maybe we should get him a dedicated shed outside , maybe he could even live in it, eh.

Pol

a shed outside isn't a bad idea as the scope doesn't need to do much cooling down, as for banishing david to the shed, he'll either love it or hate it

[Ian]

[Pol]

Re: one for pol - jupiter

a shed outside isn't a bad idea as the scope doesn't need to do much cooling down, as for banishing david to the shed, he'll either love it or hate it

We'd both like a decent new shed/home office sort of thing - though I'd love it even more! The sort of thing I have in mind could also be used as a hide for photography as well as a place for the telescope. We're battling it out between ourselves even as I type because he's seriously disorganised and untidy and I'm determined he isn't going to be allowed to fill a new outbuilding with his clutter ... or I may really make him live in it).

There's a place I know of just a few miles away HERE where we an have a 'bespoke' building designed and erected to replace our old shed and greenhouse (which is already gone now). Yeah, 'Polly-prodding-the-bloke' is good when it turns out to be productive.

Pol

[devilgas]

Re: one for pol - jupiter

i don't know what those scopes are like, however if you're considering one for imaging, you need to check that the focus tube / mech will take the weight of your camera. all scopes should cope with a webcam as they are very lightweight. add an SLR though and both the focus tube and the telescope mount come into question.

the motor drive sounds promising. i'd be curious to see how accurately it can track. it certainly seems better than the one i used on my old tasco scope - it was manually speed driven so difficult to get to the exact speed required.

i've since discovered, that one of the most important criteria is starting with a good, heavy duty mount. my scope uses an EQ5 GOTO which i'm starting to push the load limits on. i've found that GOTO is a God-send as it helps reduce time spent searching for objects.

i'd probably view the cheap scope as an introduction to see if astronomy is for you. better still, with stargazing live on the telly now, most astronomical societies will be holding outreach events over the coming weeks. for those in south wales, i know cardiff AS have an event at dyffryn gardens this saturday (21 jan '12). depepnding on whether the weather plays ball, these can be an ideal way to not only look at and use kit, but to quiz those that know.

[Ian]

Re: one for pol - jupiter

Ah - the brand is Seben and apparently they are Chinese (sold from Germany) - and not very good!

Ian

[devilgas]

Re: one for pol - jupiter

Ah - the brand is Seben and apparently they are Chinese (sold from Germany) - and not very good!

Ian

yep, just googled them now. deffo in the avoid category

it's a shame as no doubt they sell loads and put loads of people off in the process. reflectors take a lot more maintenance (colimation, mirror cleaning etc) than refractors, but offer good aperture for less cost.

thanks for POTD as well!