Phil Harrington's Cosmic Challenge
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Cosmic Challenge: Horsehead Nebula (Barnard 33)
PhilH - Dec 31 2021 11:26 PM
Evan-Fischer Rear BUMPER COVER Primed for 2010-2013 Chevrolet Ch
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Danish Blue Cheese (2 x 1 pound)
The Skies of December, 2021
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Beginning Deep Sky Imaging
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C6 Upgrade Help? Celestron F/6.3 Focal Reducer, 2 inch Diagonal, Better Wide Field Eyepiece
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Experienced Deep Sky Imaging
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Dithering and DSLR imaging...
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Beginning Deep Sky Imaging
Recent Additions
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iStar Optical’s Phantom FCL 140-6.5 review
Dec 02 2021 12:03 PM 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.
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Replacing a Damaged Dobsonian Mount
Dec 02 2021 10:45 AM by w1vi
Considering the choices available for replacing my damaged Sky Watcher Dobsonian mount, I found the same size Apertura mount the easiest and most cost effective solution. In addition to the ease of modifying the Apertura mount, the superior construction and improved azimuth bearings noticeably improved overall satisfaction with this approach.
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Fairhavens II
Oct 31 2021 01:02 PM by Gork
My last article was an overview of Fairhavens, my first dedicated observatory, along with its untimely demise. It is now five years later and I am ready to try again. Being a rental home I could not build a permanent structure (I couldn’t afford one anyway). So, I started looking for a temporary structure that would protect my gear from the elements and still leave room to move about.
Cloudy Nights Announcements
Happy New Year to all!
31 Dec 2021On Christmas Eve…
24 Dec 2021User Reviews
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iStar Optical’s Phantom FCL 140-6.5 review
Dec 02 2021 09:03 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.
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Who’s Afraid of a Phantom: Istar Phantom 140mm F/6.5, that is?
Oct 31 2021 09:43 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!
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SHARPSTAR 94EDPH APOCHROMATIC REFRACTOR
Oct 01 2021 05:30 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.
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My Losmandy G11T review
Sep 26 2021 08:32 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.
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FIELD TEST: THE NOH CT-20 ALT-AZ MOUNT
Oct 15 2021 09:14 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.
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SkyTee-2 Alt/Az Mount Review
Jul 27 2021 06:42 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.
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SharpStar Askar ACL200 200-mm f/4 astrographic telephoto lens
Jun 29 2021 05:35 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.
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A review of the Unistellar EVscope
May 31 2021 10:48 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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Astrotrac 360 tracking platform – first impression
Jan 31 2021 09:33 AM by Magnar W.
After some waiting my Astrotrac 360 arrived, and the drive looks great straight out of the box. Beautifully machined, light weight, and compact. Just what I was asking for, after moving to a city, leaving my fully equipped small observatory behind me at the countryside.
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FIELD TEST: CARL ZEISS APOCHROMATIC & SHARPEST (CZAS) BINOVIEWER
Jan 24 2021 10:12 AM by wapaolini
This astronomical binoviewer is offered by Denis Levatić of Croatia (denis0007dl@gmail.com) as an after-market modification of new Zeiss binoviewer bodies. Mr. Levatić's value-added modifications to these Zeiss binoviewer bodies are then offered under the moniker of "The Carl Zeiss Apochromatic & Sharpest Binoviewer".
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Omegon 32mm 70º SWA eyepiece review
Jan 24 2021 09:29 AM by Tiago Ferreira
There is no review of this eyepiece on internet and i bought it and found interesting to make a video about it.
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Detalles Y Emociones
Dec 05 2020 10:41 AM by stephen.kennedy
iOptron’s iPolar upgrade, which replaces the optical scope on the iOptron SkyGuider Pro, does not accurately provide polar alignment when compared to results measured using identical equipment operating Sharpcap Pro and the specified guide camera and scope. Data was collected while simultaneously running both the iPolar alignment software and SharcapPro on the same equipment. The deficiency is consistent with an issue in the iPolar system’s calculation of altitude parameters in polar alignment after plate solving.
