MnAstro Forums

Moon and Mars with an iPhone:

Occultation tonight with the full moon. Should be clear, too.
See viewtopic.php?p=65471#p65471

Well, after over a week of cloudy skies, I've been able to observe the past few nights. I'm off work this week, too, which helps. Transparency was ok but seeing has been good until it clouds over. Still not making out the poles, but can see light and dark patches. Biggest problem is staying warm, an...

They have a 130 AZ Star Sense Newtonian for $479: https://www.celestron.com/products/star ... r-dx-130az
No idea how solid the mount is.

They do make a smaller version, though, that might work for you. There's one on sale in facebook marketplace right now, an Orion XT4.5. No idea of the condition: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1110984703188201/ The XT 4.5 is not a smaller version. Same aperture, but longer focal length s...

I'm guessing it's dusty because it hasn't been used. If the mirrors look ok, might be worth picking up. It's been for sale for 10 weeks--the seller may be motivated to make a deal.

The small tabletop dob Kris mentioned is a nice scope. You do need a solid table to set it on. I bought a telescope last summer that someone had bought for her daughter, but it was too big for the daughter to move. They do make a smaller version, though, that might work for you. There's one on sale ...

It's too bad the beginner sessions are over for the year--you could try out all kinds of telescopes.

How old is your daughter? What is your budget?

I've been looking the last few nights, and I can make out some definite shading, which I believe is Syrtis Major. I was using the 6" most nights, but I had the 4.5" out tonight, as I was moving it around looking at the moon, Saturn, and Jupiter, too. I just came in from observing Mars--see...

I have two dobs--a 4.5" f8 (114mm/900mm) and an Orion XT6 6" f8 (150mm/1200mm). I usually grab the small one as it's lighter and easier to move around.

I have some higher power eyepieces, (5mm, 6.1mm) but unless the seeing is really good I don't use them.

I've been looking at Mars most evenings lately, as it rises earlier and earlier in the evening. I can't really make out any features; it just looks like an orange ball, but the view should improve as we get closer to opposition in December. I gather that this year's opposition will not be as good as...

It's going to be clear and warm this weekend--maybe have a beginner night Saturday the 22nd?

I may go out to Metcalf field Saturday evening anyway...

Nice job. I thought about attaching a setting circle to the current base. Having a circle on a separate base that the current base feet fit to didn't occur to me. What plywood did you use? I looked at a sheet of Baltic Birch at Menards and nearly died from sticker shock.

I have the same scope, and I've had trouble finding items, especially in my light-polluted neighborhood. There are a couple of low-cost approaches I'm considering. You could try an inclinometer to get altitude. Many have a magnetic base that will hold to the OTA: Inclinometer Another one I've tried ...

Sureshks wrote: ↑Mon Aug 23, 2021 5:04 pm Hello,

Can you tell me your name?

Suresh

Gary Aslakson

Though the weather forecast does not look promising.

I would like to attend. gnarator@gmail.com

New member here. I would like to attend.
gnarator@gmail.com