The Official Astronomy Thread

[mercurial]

Hey, you're getting it!

 

[AllBrain]

Must better attempt than mine.

 

[Crusader]

Here's my best tonight of jupiter, this time with sony 4mp cybershot held to lens:

Now, that is impressive for a handheld photo. Could never get my old A80 to take anything but a blur.

 

[dappled]

Thanks guys! I'm going stargazing now....

 

[AllBrain]

Here is what I finally decided to buy after a lot of research:

Baader Laser Collimator

Link

I need to make sure my scope is collimated correctly as you will never know until you try.

Baader Hyperion 5mm Eyepiece

Link

I am not ready to buy a R2000+ eyepiece yet so I bought the best I could get for less.

 

[mercurial]

I've collimated my scope with a laser collimator before, but to be honest, I can't see any difference to my viewing. My laser collimator sort of broke, well not really. One of the prongs that connects to the battery broke off. I need to solder it on, but I don't really need it. I had a look at the moon and Jupiter on Saturday night and it looked pretty much like I expected it to. I have to collimate my scope whenever I use it because I drag it from my room to the yard

 

[AllBrain]

I've collimated my scope with a laser collimator before, but to be honest, I can't see any difference to my viewing. My laser collimator sort of broke, well not really. One of the prongs that connects to the battery broke off. I need to solder it on, but I don't really need it. I had a look at the moon and Jupiter on Saturday night and it looked pretty much like I expected it to. I have to collimate my scope whenever I use it because I drag it from my room to the yard

I have never done any collimation om my scope so have no clue if all is fine. That is why I want to check it and make sure its all cool.

 

[MisterBigglesworth]

Guys...have heard that the ISS was visible last night at 6:51. Apparently again tonight...but not sure where to look or at what time? Anyone got some details???

 

[Crusader]

Try www.heavens-above.com. They will have the visibility times and directions. It was hazy here last night but by pure accident I was outside when the ISS passed over from SW to NE direction. It's very bright so difficult to miss.

 

[Crusader]

@AllBrain: A laser collimator helps but is not essential. If you have a collimation cap and everything seems concentric you are pretty well set. Keep in mind that the laser could be out of collimation itself so a sighttube/cheshire combo is preferred for centering the secondary. A barlowed laser then works exceptionally well to get the primary spot on. Of course a star test is the best way to check collimation.

 

[AllBrain]

@AllBrain: A laser collimator helps but is not essential. If you have a collimation cap and everything seems concentric you are pretty well set. Keep in mind that the laser could be out of collimation itself so a sighttube/cheshire combo is preferred for centering the secondary. A barlowed laser then works exceptionally well to get the primary spot on. Of course a star test is the best way to check collimation.

I am aware of the laser collimator issues but I did not get a collimation cap with my telescope. Thus I decided to buy the best collimator I can afford and see if my mirrors are aligned. At least it will not be a waste of money as I will have a very expensive laser pointer as well.

 

[mercurial]

The laser collimator I have is used for both primary and secondary mirror collimation.

 

[Kalvaer]

I have never done any collimation om my scope so have no clue if all is fine. That is why I want to check it and make sure its all cool.

Its easy to check. Find a nice bright star, and then defocus it until you start seeing concentric rings around the star. If your mirrors are out of alignment the concentric rings will be misformed.

 

[MisterBigglesworth]

Local Time: Central European Summer Time (GMT + 2:00)

31 Aug 22:28:08 WSW

http://www.heavens-above.com/AllPass1Sat.asp?satid=25544&lat=0&lng=0&loc=Unspecified&alt=0&tz=CET

Is this right?

 

[Crusader]

You didn't specify a location.

For Joburg it should be 19:19 W-NW for tonight.
18:08 SW-NE for tomorrow

 

[MisterBigglesworth]

You didn't specify a location.

For Joburg it should be 19:19 W-NW for tonight.
18:08 SW-NE for tomorrow

Thank you!!!

W-NW for tonight

Does that mean its enters in view from W, exits NW?

EDIT: Just checked the image...it does

 

[dappled]

Spotted it with naked eye, found and tracked it through finderscope while partner looked through scope. It moved too fast for me to get a look through the telescope though unfortunately
but there will be more chances, and i'm glad i found it tonight!

 

[Crusader]

It was too low from my location and the clouds didn't help either.

Those people in the North of the country are in for a treat tomorrow!
1 Sep -3.3 18:05:53 10 SW 18:08:50 88 SE 18:11:43 10 NE

At that magnitude the ISS will be the brightest thing in the sky at that time. Brighter than Jupiter and only slightly dimmer than Venus.

 

[dappled]

Er, i'm still a noob here crusader, is jhb considered 'the north of the country'?

I aim to capture it. I know i know, may take years for that to happen given my equipment, but i aim to do it nonetheless

 

[Crusader]

Well I view JHB as North, so I don't know. I might be completely directionless