Cool things in the night sky

[Ditto]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-64458511

 

White ball, then spiral galaxy-like formation in the night sky over Hawaii. It is quite mesmerising!

 

What's Elon up to now!

 

Worth putting the clip up on a large screen - it's amazing just how many things are whizzing around up there.

[Dos_Box]

I often can see the ISS go over from my living room window, but I'm pretty gutted we've had cloudy skies for the past week as I want to see the green comet! - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-64252258

IIRC, it's closest point to Earth is the 2nd Feb. I have my telescope on standby!

[Brax]

I often can see the ISS go over from my living room window, but I'm pretty gutted we've had cloudy skies for the past week as I want to see the green comet! - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-64252258

IIRC, it's closest point to Earth is the 2nd Feb. I have my telescope on standby!

Any telescope recommendations? Skies were pretty clear in the south east last night it was stunning.

[Dos_Box]

Any telescope recommendations? Skies were pretty clear in the south east last night it was stunning.

 

TBH, I'd recommend a decent pair of bino's as they will prove far more flexible. You can always buy them with a tripod mount too.

If you are after a scope then you can't go wrong with a Celestron for a starter scope (I have 2!).

 

I have this one (which is nice and light) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-21035-Travel-Scope-Telescope/dp/B001TI9Y2M/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3IKKRM4IZV1N3&keywords=celestron+telescope&qid=1675155880&sprefix=celestron+telescope%2Caps%2C91&sr=8-3

 

And this one that makes me make a noise when I carry it outside - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-31045-AstroMaster-Reflector-Telescope/dp/B000MLL6RS/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3IKKRM4IZV1N3&keywords=celestron+telescope&qid=1675155937&sprefix=celestron+telescope%2Caps%2C91&sr=8-4

 

I'd keep an eye out for deals though as I paid nowhere near those amounts. Admittedly it was a while back, but the Travel Scope can be had for about £70 when on offer.

Edited January 31, 2023 by Dos_Box

[Brax]

TBH, I'd recommend a decent pair of bino's as they will prove far more flexible. You can always buy them with a tripod mount too.

If you are after a scope then you can't go wrong with a Celestron for a starter scope (I have 2!).

 

I have this one (which is noce and light) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-21035-Travel-Scope-Telescope/dp/B001TI9Y2M/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3IKKRM4IZV1N3&keywords=celestron+telescope&qid=1675155880&sprefix=celestron+telescope%2Caps%2C91&sr=8-3

 

And this one that makes me make a noise when I carry it outside - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-31045-AstroMaster-Reflector-Telescope/dp/B000MLL6RS/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3IKKRM4IZV1N3&keywords=celestron+telescope&qid=1675155937&sprefix=celestron+telescope%2Caps%2C91&sr=8-4

 

I'd keep an eye out for deals though as I paid nowhere near those amounts. Admittedly it was a while back, but the Travel Scope can be had for about £70 when on offer.

Many many thanks, I live close to a forest with little light pollution so a decent telescope would be ideal. What are the apps that they recommend you install like?

[HarryMonkey]

Can I attach a DSLR to either of those?

[Dos_Box]

Many many thanks, I live close to a forest with little light pollution so a decent telescope would be ideal. What are the apps that they recommend you install like?

 

I just use Google Sky, there are other apps you can use (usually paid for), but I've never really bothered with them.

[Dos_Box]

Can I attach a DSLR to either of those?

 

Yes, with a suitable adaptor (I've recently misplaced mine), however the small scope is far too light to hold it steady for decent pics IMO. I would also recommend (if buying the smaller one) buying a sturdy tripod as it can move in the wind with the one it comes with.

[Dos_Box]

I would also recommend one (or one similar) of these if starting from new - https://www.amazon.co.uk/SVBONY-SV135-Eyepiece-7mm-21mm-Telescope/dp/B07Z64NK65/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2KMABVG5Q2SA0&keywords=telescope+zoom+lens&qid=1675169968&sprefix=telescope+zoom+lens%2Caps%2C95&sr=8-3

They're not quite as good as single fixed eyepieces, but will enable you to locate and zoom into things easier than finding one in an eyepiece, then swapping out the eyepiece for one that gives you a better view then having to try and locate the thing you want to look at again, but this time much more zoomed in.

[Ditto]

The green comet - next pass by in about 50,000 years!

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-nottinghamshire-58071075