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PHIL HARRINGTON'S COSMIC CHALLENGE
* Cosmic Challenge: Palomar 2
PhilH - Jan 28 2023 12:41 PM
SKETCHING CONTEST
DECEMBER 2022 SKETCHING CONTEST WINNER IS MICHEL DECONINCK (AQUARELLIA)
CONGRATULATIONS MICHEL!
THIS MONTH
* The Skies of February, 2023
cookman - Feb 06 2023 01:32 PM
RECENT TOPICS
* iOptron Commander & ASCOM Driver installation Error
Alfred Tan - Feb 08 2023 08:01 AM
Mounts
* Sun today from Melbourne Australia 8 February 2023
Averton - Feb 08 2023 07:54 AM
Solar Observing and Imaging
* Powering my setup with mains
Phil49 - Feb 08 2023 07:23 AM
Equipment (No astrophotography)
* is ganymedes.nl a reputable site to buy from? + venting
gsaramet - Feb 08 2023 07:11 AM
Beginning Deep Sky Imaging
* 2 Barlows to compare
Ulwar - Feb 08 2023 07:09 AM
Eyepieces
* Would the contrast be the same at 1mm exit pupil perfect seeing as 4mm exit
pupil average seeing
kingsbishop - Feb 08 2023 07:04 AM
Equipment (No astrophotography)
* Stars or noise?
RoyceA - Feb 08 2023 06:30 AM
Beginning Deep Sky Imaging
* The Night a DWARF II Smart Telescope SMASHED a 6" Dobsonian
Tiago Ferreira - Feb 08 2023 06:04 AM
Vendor and Group Announcements
* SDO/HMI Continuum Image on 2023.02.08 at 1023 UT
SgrB2 - Feb 08 2023 05:58 AM
Solar Observing and Imaging
* Eye Fatigue from 10x32s
edwincjones - Feb 08 2023 05:19 AM
Binoculars
RECENT ADDITIONS
* Measuring the Parallax of a Near Star with Modest Equipment and Modest Talent
Jan 31 2023 01:49 PM by chlady
Is it possible to measure the distance to the nearest stars using by
measuring their parallax with a set of affordable astrogear? In the summer of
2016 I set on a journey to find out. When I first considered the question, it
seemed a very difficult if not impossible task. Parallax measurements of even
the nearest stars are measured in milliarcseconds, whereas with my equipment
my resolution was approximately 1 arcsecond/pixel. So therefore the challenge
was to detect the shift in position of a star between measurements of, at the
very best, a fraction of a pixel. I wasn’t sure if that was feasible. To make
the issue even more challenging, I thought, was that the average seeing in my
neck of the woods tends to be around 2 arcseconds. Would detecting so slight
a shift in the apparent position of a nearby star be possible with equipment
available to amateurs on a budget with all its inherent limitations? Or is
the measurement of stellar parallax only the purview of professionals?
* Investigation of telescope visual filters; (Part 1 Contrast).
Jan 29 2023 08:41 AM by Pointsoflight
My first set of filters came with the Celestron eyepiece kit I bought. The
kit came with the traditional #23 red, #80a blue, #56green and #58green, #12
yellow #21 orange and neutral density filter #ND 0.9 that come standard with
most kits these days. They didn’t overly excite me the first time I used them
on Saturn and Jupiter all much too dark, although they all worked great on
the moon for cutting that intense light back a notch. It was when I viewed
Venus for the first time as that brightest of stars and thought to myself
what if I try that #25 red. It was then that I really found filters useful,
transforming stars into planets. I enjoyed watching Venus go through its
shape change that first season.
* Review of Explore Scientific First Light 8
Jan 28 2023 02:46 PM by edwrdw5
I don’t have words to describe my first view other than wow. The views from
light polluted suburbia was beyond comprehension. In a 25mm Plossl included
Jupiter was crisp edge to edge I discerned color in its banding amazed at the
realization that the universe was in color and not shades of grey as in my
four-inch scope. I spent the night scanning the skies and the review of once
patches of fuzz in the sky with my smaller scope are now defined by galaxies
and nebulas. I now had a better understanding of the word zillions. I can
only imagine the viewing away from city lights.
CLOUDY NIGHTS ANNOUNCEMENTS
ON CHRISTMAS EVE…
24 Dec 2022
...the moderator and administrator staff of Cloudy Nights would like to wish you
a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and a wonderful holiday season. And here’s
to clear skies and good health for all in 2023! Full topic ›
HAPPY HANUKKAH!
18 Dec 2022
…from all the mod/admin staff here on Cloudy Nights! Full topic ›
USER REVIEWS
* Review of Explore Scientific First Light 8
Jan 28 2023 12:46 PM by edwrdw5
I don’t have words to describe my first view other than wow. The views from
light polluted suburbia was beyond comprehension. In a 25mm Plossl included
Jupiter was crisp edge to edge I discerned color in its banding amazed at the
realization that the universe was in color and not shades of grey as in my
four-inch scope. I spent the night scanning the skies and the review of once
patches of fuzz in the sky with my smaller scope are now defined by galaxies
and nebulas. I now had a better understanding of the word zillions. I can
only imagine the viewing away from city lights.
* Rebuilding my CGE Pro
Sep 29 2022 09:34 AM by MensaDei
My CGE Pro started having pointing and tracking problems after installing the
Celestron WLAN SkyPortal module and became completely useless. I found a
“clone” of the MC online from Camera Concept in NY and after installation,
all seemed to work fine. But as soon as I used the Skyportal module again,
the same problems came again: Declination didn't respond correctly and the
mount was completely messed up, even a simple polar alignment became
impossible. I loved my CGE Pro, and I had no intention of buying a new CGX-L
with tripod or using my CGE Pro as a flower stand or doorstop. Thus, I
started looking online for those who had similar experiences and maybe
solutions.
* COUNTING SUNSPOTS WITH A $10 OPTICAL TUBE ASSEMBLY
Jul 03 2022 03:48 PM by retroformat
I encourage anyone with a minimum of technical facility to build their own
vintage solar telescope, and join with me on the sunspot counting journey.
Next to the study of Earth-grazing asteroids, I can think of no more
important branch of astronomy. Aside its obvious ties to climate change
science, solar astronomy is extremely important to our understanding of, and
ability to predict flares and coronal mass ejections, which have the
potential to devastate modern society (google "Carrington Event").
* Hubble Optics 14 inch Dobsonian - Part 2: The SiTech GoTo system
Feb 20 2022 12:47 PM by Chris Westland
This is the second in the set of reviews about my Hubble Optics 14”
Dobsonian, where I relate the performance of the installed GoTo system. I
completed adding the Hubble Optics / SiTech GoTo system to my Hubble Optics
14” f/4.6 dob, but did encounter a bit of a learning curve on this, one which
I’d like to share with anyone planning on upgrading any Dob to full GoTo.
* iStar Optical’s Phantom FCL 140-6.5 review
Dec 02 2021 10:03 AM by Psion
From what I was able to see, I conclude that the optics belongs to a Super
APO class, which is highly suitable for both visual observing and
astrophotography. Unfortunately, I have to state that the TEC 140 lost in the
direct side-by-side chromatic aberration comparison test, otherwise the TEC
is practically perfect from the optical point of view. The Phantom FCL
140-6.5 is, therefore, a great all-round refractor, and the manufacturer has
promised to remedy the minor mechanical issue with the amount of “grip” of
the rotary lock. Therefore, iStar Optical can be congratulated on a very well
made optical instrument.
* Who’s Afraid of a Phantom: Istar Phantom 140mm F/6.5, that is?
Oct 31 2021 10:43 AM by ABQJeff
The Istar Phantom 140mm f/6.5 is a new entry in the large (5”+) triplet APO
world. For the price to performance it is an excellent option. The vendor is
already implementing upgrades (eg 80mm removable section from OTA tube) and
recognizes need to make further improvements in its mechanics (eg 2” twist
tight clamp). The optics are superb and are even better than the advertised
0.9 Strehl minimum guarantee. If you are interested in a super high
performing 5+” triplet APO, that is much less than comparative peers, don’t
be scared, I highly recommend you take a look at a Phantom!
* SHARPSTAR 94EDPH APOCHROMATIC REFRACTOR
Oct 01 2021 06:30 AM by Larry Carlino
The Sharpstar 94EDPH turns out to be a competent instrument and a good value
for its $1495 asking price. It's a very good deep-sky telescope, is airline
portable, and is, in all probability, a good choice for imagers, the 0.8
focal reducer yielding a fast optical system. As to the consistency of the
optics and quality control, a sample of one has little statistical validity.
My particular scope might be better than average (or worse), and the QC
checklist from Sharpstar failed to catch the balky focuser and sagging dew
cap.
* My Losmandy G11T review
Sep 26 2021 09:32 AM by jeffmarston
In general I really like my G11T. It is well built, should last for decades
from what other owners of Losmandy mounts say. It seems to work really well
with auto guiding. It is very stable even with my C14. It is very different
from my Celestron mounts and to be fair It took a while for me to learn how
to use those mounts also.
* FIELD TEST: THE NOH CT-20 ALT-AZ MOUNT
Oct 15 2021 10:14 AM by wapaolini
After several weeks of field use of the NoH CT-20 mount for general
astronomical observing with both my TSA-102 and APM-152 refractors, I found
the operation and use of this mount to be highly intuitive in the field. The
axis friction knobs are conveniently located and are tactile-distinctive from
the saddle plate knobs that hold the telescope on the mount, so there was
never any question in the dark as to which knob-type I was operating.
Operation of the mount was also smooth and precise throughout the testing and
general field observing sessions. At no time did I ever find that the CT-20
mount was anything but superlatively capable to handle even my large 6-inch
f/8 refractor.
* SkyTee-2 Alt/Az Mount Review
Jul 27 2021 07:42 AM by ScrewLoose
Overall, I think that this mount is good value for money and a good choice
for my purposes. I'm confident that the mount will be more than adequate for
my needs.
* SharpStar Askar ACL200 200-mm f/4 astrographic telephoto lens
Jun 29 2021 06:35 AM by covington
I strongly recommend the ACL200 for wide-field astrophotography. It also has
some uses for (fully manual) nature and landscape photography. The optical
performance is exceptional, and the physical construction is unusually well
suited for astronomical use.
* A review of the Unistellar EVscope
May 31 2021 11:48 AM by bmwscopeguy
Well here is another product that has received a lot of hype and press, but
without divulging much useful information about the telescope itself. Well
needless to say, the hype worked on me….and I took delivery of my (used)
Unistellar EVscope today.
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