The Official Astronomy Thread

I can't decide what to get. The binoviewer is out of contention since I don't want to chance it not being able to reach focus.

I'm even considering a 90mm refractor just to see what the refractor guys are on about and the fact that it apparently offers crisper views with more contrast. It should also work great as a grab and go. Only downside is the small aperture and CA, which I don't know how severe it will be.

Then there's the 6" dob. Nice aperture while still being close to grab and go.

I can get the refractor plus the zoom EP or just the 6" dob.

That's the worst part of the hobby - agonising about what gear to buy.
 
I'm on my cell so no link, but it's the William Optics one at Technopro. Apparently the problem with them is that they struggle to come to focus without using the barlow nosepiece and with newts you could eve need an extension tube on top of that.
 
I think I'm misunderstanding what you are talking about cos I can't find that. I can only see the Williams' Optics APO refractors.
 
WO seems to be good mid range EP's. Still a bit too expensive for my liking although I wouldn't mind if someone donated a couple to me! :)
 
Apparently they do make a difference. The problem is that it's eg. around 50% improvement at 200% the cost.

I'm glad my plossls work nicely for me and that we don't have Naglers and the like around here - just go case the improvement is so much that you can't go back to the less expensive Ep's.
 
Mmm... 90mm me aperture is miniscule. How do the refractor users manage to see anything? Guess my 10" has spoiled me.
 
Waynegohl and Mercurial,

On the previous page it was asked if you can see the lost toolbag that was lost during the spacewalk. Well it turns out you can see it! About mag 7. You can watch a video of it at spaceweather and make sure you go to the 24th November archive. You can follow it's progress here.

Enjoy!
Charles
 
Don't forget to watch Jupiter and Venus merging for the next few days. I saw them out the window last night and they are incredibly bright in the sky. I heard 1 Dec they'll be about a thumb width apart. Damn i wish i had a scope now to view them. Anyone care to take a few quick pics through their EP with a digital cam?
 
nimthor said:
Waynegohl and Mercurial,

On the previous page it was asked if you can see the lost toolbag that was lost during the spacewalk. Well it turns out you can see it! About mag 7. You can watch a video of it at spaceweather and make sure you go to the 24th November archive. You can follow it's progress here.

Enjoy!
Charles
Click to expand...

Lol! That's quite amazing. I'll have a look tomorrow. Thanks :)

Gaz{M} said:
Don't forget to watch Jupiter and Venus merging for the next few days. I saw them out the window last night and they are incredibly bright in the sky. I heard 1 Dec they'll be about a thumb width apart. Damn i wish i had a scope now to view them. Anyone care to take a few quick pics through their EP with a digital cam?
Click to expand...

If I had my DLSR, I would've been able to. Will get it this week. Perhaps marine1 would be able to take? If you're reading this, please do take some for us :)
 
I got this email from ASSA this morning, thought I'd share this sad news:(

Dear Cape Centre friends,

It is with a heavy heart that I have to convey to those of you who have not yet heard the news, the fact that Professor Anthony Fairall (65), passed away after a diving incident on Saturday.

Besides being a well-known academic and author, he has been a friend of the Cape Centre for many years. We will miss his talks and his friendly and easy way of communicating with people very much.

As Professor of Astronomy at the University of Cape Town he taught Astronomy to many. As Planetarium Director at the Iziko South African Museum in Cape Town, as popular public speaker and as author of among others 'Starwatching, a southern hemisphere guide to the galaxy' and 'Cosmology Revealed', Tony Fairall brought Astronomy closer to many thousands more. His heritage lies in the light of knowledge and enthusiasm that he lit wherever he went.

Our thoughts go out to his family and friends in this very sad time.

His name is written on our hearts - and in the stars. May he rest in peace.
Click to expand...

I went to his starwatch astronomy course twice, Iziko planetarium will surely miss him and his presentations and ASSA too.
 
On the 1st December it should be quite a sight! The Moon, Venus and Jupiter will form a "smiley face". Definitely something not to be missed!
 
Well, I finally made a decision... well, to be more accurate the decision was made for me. They didn't have any stock of the 6" dobs (yet again), with it only expected to arrive in mid December if everything goes well (over the Christmas/holiday season that's doubtful). The 90mm refractor was in stock, so that's the one I got.

I'm gonna kick myself if I'm not happy with it, but from the research I did beforehand it should be ok. At the very least it will give me a good perspective on refractors. The slow motion controls on the AZ3 mount also looks interesting.

Now I can't wait for it to arrive. Hopefully by Friday (if the Berco Freight option is accurate and the 72 hours is for non-major areas). Otherwise sometime next week.

I think I need an intervention. A second scope is a sure sign of the downward spiral into obsession. Soon I'll be craving a SCT and selling organs to afford a APO. :eek:
 
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