6401 replies to this topic

[Scott99]

It's the middle of bird migration but they don't like windy rainy weather either!  I think I'm doing a dawn patrol bird mission tomorrow.

[Maranatha]

Looked at the moon thru my 20x50s, so nice! On a tripod good detail can be seen.

[revans]

I took out my 15x70 and my new 20x80 Explore binoculars and used my ZGC with a full-length cushion and with an elbow support table.  The gibbous moon really came to life in the 20x80s compared to my 15x70s.  I had trouble identifying Plato initially in the 15x70s but it was obvious in the 20x80s.  Going back to the 15x70s it was obvious enough since I knew where to look.

 

My collimation job done during the day on my 20x80s was not bad but not quite perfect either.  I had to take out the spanner wrench and spend half an hour doing minimal tweaks to both objectives until I suppressed that double star look almost completely handheld and could easily tell the paired stars from the single stars in the Beehive.  I ended up with about a B+ collimation and will have to come back to it another night and try to bring it to an A.  But they are useable, and I enjoyed looking at Mars just above the Beehive and I found M81 and M82 although they were slightly washed out by the gibbous moon. 

 

The moon showed really a minimal trace of color along the limb but no worse than my BT-82 XL ED would show. The brightest white stars had very minimal violet fringing, but it was perfectly acceptable. 

 

The 20x80s are going to work out fine but I will have to spend another half hour or so further refining the collimation on my next astronomy session outside with them.  They will be fine for daytime use even as they are.

 

Rick

[Scott99]

Had some nice views of the moon last night in my 8x42's and 12x50's  

[dmorrow]

Couldn't sleep this morning so got up at 4:15am, took out the MMC 10x56 and set up the ZGC.  Spent some time sweeping around the northeastern sky.  Nice to see some favorite late fall/early winter targets like the double double overhead.  I was also able to spot Andromeda peaking over the fence.   Only had about 20 mins before twilight crept in so spent some quality time with Venus before packing it up and enjoying the sunrise.  

Edited by dmorrow, 08 May 2025 - 07:03 PM.

[Dale Smith]

I'm transitioning to twilight only sessions--full night arrives at 10:30PM here at 45 N and I get up at 6AM    So, last night I was out from 9-9:45PM--basically the end of Civil to very early-Astro-twilight. Mostly viewing the Moon in my 102mm Mak support telescope and mounted 18x70 Astroluxe. This was the first night I viewed Luna in the 18x70s when they were mounted, and the view was spectacular. Razor sharp along the terminator, with the shadows an inky black. It was fun moving back and forth between the Mak at 84X and 18x--the whole Moon view in the Astroluxe kept drawing me back to the binocular. 

 

It was still nautical twilight at that point so I decided to view Mars and the Beehive in the Astroluxe and was gobsmacked to see how many stars the 18x70 brought out in nautical twilight. I was also able to see M3, again, despite it still being nautical twilight, the globular was obvious. 70mm aperture+18x+great optics=magic.

 

Jupiter was low over my roof, so its disk wasn't perfectly resolved but the four big satellites were bright pinpoints.

 

After putting away the telescope and the Astroluxe, I viewed M44 and the Coma Star Cluster in my Canon 12x36 IS.

 

There might be a clear night or two in the next couple of nights where I sleep on our couch and set an alarm for midnight and full night but for now, it's twilight time.

Edited by Dale Smith, 08 May 2025 - 06:09 PM.

[harpo80]

I'm transitioning to twilight only sessions--full night arrives at 10:30PM here at 45 N and I get up at 6AM   

 

I've done much the same thing, but in the morning.  I fall asleep by 9 and wake up at 3:30 these days, so after a cup of coffee I'm outside with the binoculars.  Dawn twilight starts early at the latitude we share!  I'm largely done by 4:40.

 

This morning's samplings:

 

STF 2578 in Cygnus - white with some magnitude difference, relatively close but easy split, rich field of stars nearby

STF 2690 in Delphinus - same field as Epsilon, close magnitudes, white, easy split

STF 2202 in Ophiuchus - bright easy pair near Gamma, even white pair

STF 2417 in Serpens - bright even white pair, headlight-like, easy and pretty

 

Oberwerk 20x80s.

[CKinschots]

I caught a quick glimpse of the Jewel Box Cluster before hopping in bed last night, using my Nikon Monarch 10x42s. 

Edited by CKinschots, 09 May 2025 - 08:28 AM.

[Dale Smith]

I've done much the same thing, but in the morning.  I fall asleep by 9 and wake up at 3:30 these days, so after a cup of coffee I'm outside with the binoculars.  Dawn twilight starts early at the latitude we share!  I'm largely done by 4:40.

 

This morning's samplings:

 

STF 2578 in Cygnus - white with some magnitude difference, relatively close but easy split, rich field of stars nearby

STF 2690 in Delphinus - same field as Epsilon, close magnitudes, white, easy split

STF 2202 in Ophiuchus - bright easy pair near Gamma, even white pair

STF 2417 in Serpens - bright even white pair, headlight-like, easy and pretty

 

Oberwerk 20x80s.

Some sky time, even "only" in twilight, is better than no sky time Thanks for sharing those doubles--great targets for a quick session.

[harpo80]

Some sky time, even "only" in twilight, is better than no sky time Thanks for sharing those doubles--great targets for a quick session.

Very true!  We've been in a good weather pattern the past few days and it's good to use the time given me, early or late.  The binocs sit on my parallelogram on our deck ready for another session in the morning.  If I wake up in time.

 

My targets are all from the AL Advanced Double Star program, a list I'm enjoying a lot.

Edited by harpo80, 09 May 2025 - 09:45 AM.

[dmorrow]

Some sky time, even "only" in twilight, is better than no sky time Thanks for sharing those doubles--great targets for a quick session.

One advantage of living in AZ is that there is no daylight savings time.  Being farther south is a plus too for summer viewing.  

[dmorrow]

I've really been enjoying the extra reach of the Orion Super Giant 25x100 I picked up during the High Point liquidation sale.  Nearly full moon?  Not a problem for that bad boy!  Beautiful views of M44 with the Orion SG tonight.  

Edited by dmorrow, 10 May 2025 - 10:33 PM.

[revans]

The moon was bright and transparency was poor but at least the sky was clear.  After working to fine tune collimation on my 20x80s using Jupiter and then Capella when Jupiter got too low, I took my 20x80s off of the photo tripod and used them and my 15x70s in a ZGC.  It was definitely not a good night for deep sky observing but I looked at Mars as it is passing more and more above and away from the Beehive cluster now.  The Beehive was the best object in the sky last night.  I could barely see any detail in the Golden Eye cluster nearby which was easier to at least make out in the 20x80s.  I could see M81 and M82 but contrast with the background was poor.  I called it a night pretty early.

 

I learned that the 20x80s are really a little to heavy for me to use handheld at 4.7 lbs.  It wasn't the 20x magnification that was the issue nor was my collimation which I'd brought from a B+ to an A-.  It was simply the weight and maybe also the bulk. 

 

I've decided I want about a 20x binocular to use handheld along with my 15x70s, but my 60mm Zeiss is too dim and my 20x80s are too big and just a bit too heavy for me.  I think I'm going to have to look at 20x70s or maybe 18x70s for handheld use in the ZGC alongside my 15x70s.  Losing some bulk might be a good idea even if I can't lose very much weight by making this switch.

 

Rick

[Scott99]

I've decided I want about a 20x binocular to use handheld along with my 15x70s, but my 60mm Zeiss is too dim and my 20x80s are too big and just a bit too heavy for me.  I think I'm going to have to look at 20x70s or maybe 18x70s for handheld use in the ZGC alongside my 15x70s.  Losing some bulk might be a good idea even if I can't lose very much weight by making this switch.

 

Rick

The Astroluxe cult is open and accepting new members Rick!  You're welcome to join  

 

A rare clear night last night - took my 7x35E out for a nice view of the Moon.  My dedicated big-moon binoculars since anything larger leaves that scary-looking blob on my retinas for 20 minutes
 

[Dale Smith]

The moon was bright and transparency was poor but at least the sky was clear.  After working to fine tune collimation on my 20x80s using Jupiter and then Capella when Jupiter got too low, I took my 20x80s off of the photo tripod and used them and my 15x70s in a ZGC.  It was definitely not a good night for deep sky observing but I looked at Mars as it is passing more and more above and away from the Beehive cluster now.  The Beehive was the best object in the sky last night.  I could barely see any detail in the Golden Eye cluster nearby which was easier to at least make out in the 20x80s.  I could see M81 and M82 but contrast with the background was poor.  I called it a night pretty early.

 

I learned that the 20x80s are really a little to heavy for me to use handheld at 4.7 lbs.  It wasn't the 20x magnification that was the issue nor was my collimation which I'd brought from a B+ to an A-.  It was simply the weight and maybe also the bulk. 

 

I've decided I want about a 20x binocular to use handheld along with my 15x70s, but my 60mm Zeiss is too dim and my 20x80s are too big and just a bit too heavy for me.  I think I'm going to have to look at 20x70s or maybe 18x70s for handheld use in the ZGC alongside my 15x70s.  Losing some bulk might be a good idea even if I can't lose very much weight by making this switch.

 

Rick

I own two different versions of the Pentax 20x60 (PCF V and SP WP), both weigh about 2.2 lbs, easily handheld for me. Optics are fairly sharp, once you position your eye properly. Eye relief is 20mm, which is ample for me to view with glasses. The exit pupil is a bit dim at 3mm and the FOV is 2.2 degrees. Now that I own the 18x70 Astroluxe, 2.2 degrees is tight. Still, another option to consider.

[Alex65]

Woke up at 0100am, moon low down and almost due south.

 

I took out my 1970s Tasco 8x30s and viewed the moon, just enjoying the low power view of the nearly full moon. Right on the terminator lay the dark oval of Grimaldi. To the west Leo was beginning to set so I viewed the Coma Star Cluster (Mel 111) next, obtaining a nice view despite the interfering light from the moon. I next viewed Scorpius which was just beginning to rise in the southwest. Through the 8x30s I viewed Antares, β, δ, π and σ. I couldn't see τ as it was too close to the horizon using the 8x30s so I switched to the 8x42s and quickly picked it up as well. No signs of either m80 or M4 with the binoculars. 

[revans]

The Astroluxe cult is open and accepting new members Rick!  You're welcome to join

 

A rare clear night last night - took my 7x35E out for a nice view of the Moon.  My dedicated big-moon binoculars since anything larger leaves that scary-looking blob on my retinas for 20 minutes
 

Well, the possibilities seem to include the Nikon 18x70 Astroluxe, Obie's 20x70 ED ULTRA, APM's 20x70 magnesium and just maybe the Sightron 18x80 Japan B374 Comet Scan Pro binoculars.  Of these, the Astroluxe is most expensive and the Sightron the least expensive.

 

Rick

[pat in los angeles basin]

I have a sightron 18x80, while decent, I'd spend more to getter "better" optics. It's ok optically BUT a big question as to long term reliability as the objectives tubes appear to be polycarbonate- the result is they seem to be a bit flexible to me- can affect alignment  (on the other hand you have first hand experience with alignment) .   Regards, Pat

[Scott99]

 Of these, the Astroluxe is most expensive

Exactly   When I'm spending someone else's money, only the finest optics will do
 

Another view of the now-full moon last night in the 7x35E-C's....beautiful!  The 1990 ED-less porros are razor sharp and show zero CA.   I waited too long to set up my scope to look at Mars.  Maybe I'll get another chance tonight. 

Edited by Scott99, 12 May 2025 - 11:27 AM.

[Dave Mitsky]

I was able to view the Moon, Y Canum Venaticorum, Albireo, Alcor-Mizar, Cor Caroli, Epsilon Lyrae, Nu Draconis, Omicron Cygni, the Heart of the Swan asterism, Collinder 399, Melotte 111, and M39 late Saturday night, despite a 98.0%-illuminated waxing gibbous Moon and high clouds obscuring the sky to a large extent.

[BrianSh]

Posting a few days late, but had a great time on 5/8 and wanted to share.

 

I just recently started trying out tripod-mounted binoculars. Always thought I'd hate it – but as evidenced by the lengthy post below, I definitely do not hate it.

 

Inspired by Dale's "twilight only" post from a few days ago, I went out a little before it was actually dark on 5/8 with the goal to blatantly copy his observing plan, then go to bed at a reasonable hour. It gets dark pretty late in Northern California these days, too, and a "twilight only" approach seemed like a realistic way to start enjoying my Bortle 7 back yard again without having to stay up super late.

 

I was using a Nikon 10x50 AE on a tripod/fluid head combo. Plus Bino Bandit, obviously.

 

Started with the Moon, which I've never viewed at 10x mounted. It was mesmerizing... very different experience from 10x handheld. Next up was Mars and the Beehive. With the 10x50, I wasn't as "gobsmacked" as Dale was by the view through his Astroluxe, but it still brought a smile to my face and I lingered for a while.

 

That's when things kind of went off the rails (for my sleep, at least). "Hey, I'm near Leo. Wasn't there a binocular 'double double' I wanted to check out over there?" I opened Sky Safari, turned on the AL Binocular Double Stars observing list, and hopped my way to Tau Leo and 83 Leo. Tau Leo was an easy split, once I realized how dim of a secondary I was looking for. 83 Leo was muuuch harder, but I did manage to see the split intermittently. I thought I was imagining it, but the position matched up with what Sky Safari showed when I went back to check. 

 

Next was 93 Leo. Plenty wide at 77", but it took a while patiently waiting with my face in the Bino Bandit before my eyes picked up the mag 9.0 secondary. I really need to talk to my partner about the ambient lighting in our garden. Next was Adhafera (Zeta Leo).

 

Took a quick look at U Hydrae, and made a mental note to start observing carbon stars more intentionally.

 

Then headed over to Bootes for some more AL Binocular Doubles. On my way there, I had a personal first – I "discovered" a double star. I always wondered what people meant when they talked about sweeping around and noticing random double stars. Now I know. I stumbled across one and immediately thought "that's pretty - that must be a double." With the help of Sky Safari, I confirmed it was Struve 656. I think it may be a new favorite. If you like doubles and aren't familiar with that one, take a look next time you're out. It's in a cute little East-West line of stars, spaced almost dead center between two other stars.

 

Then...

Delta Bootis

Mu1/2 Bootis

Nu1/2 Coronae Borealis

 

A pit stop at M13, because it's right there, why not?

 

By then, it was after midnight (oops ), so I really needed to go to bed. Grabbed the tripod, then accidentally noticed Vega. Resigned myself to being exhausted the next day, set the tripod back down, and spent a while marveling over how beautiful it is to have Vega, Epsilon1/2 Lyrae, and Zeta1/2 Lyrae together in one field of view, with plenty of room to spare for framing.

 

Headed over to 16 Cygni. Then up to Kuma (Nu1/2 Draconis) – stunning, as usual.

 

Ended up going to bed at 1:30am instead of 10:30pm. I guess that's always a risk when I suddenly have a chance to observe for the first night in a while. 

 

And now I have a pair of old Celestron Japanese-made 20x80s on the way.

 

Dale – I don't know you, but I blame you for this.   And also, thank you for inspiring me to go out for a few minutes during twilight and end up having hours of fun.

 

-Brian

Edited by BrianSh, 12 May 2025 - 11:11 PM.

[Dale Smith]

Great report, Brian! I’m glad my account of a twilight session from last week inspired you to do your own. I’ve been there when a short session morphs into a long one  , especially when it’s been a while since I’ve had any time under the stars 

 

Congratulations on the Japanese 20x80s! I look forward to hearing about your experience with those at night.

 

Next time it’s clear here, I’ll have to try for some of the double stars you mentioned.

[norvegicus]

Looked pretty clear last night but I couldn't keep my eyes open after an early and late day of work.  Ogled the moon for a minute naked eye.  Looking forward to retirement.  597 days...

[Dale Smith]

I was up late last night when I discovered our cloud cover had largely parted, and went out front with my Oberwerk 8x32 SE for a few minutes. A pine tree in the neighbor's backyard screened the rising Flower Moon and our overgrown Moses bush in the front yard screened the nearest street light. I viewed M44, Melotte 111, M3, M13, as well as scanned star fields in Gemini, Virgo, Bootes and Draco/Ursa Major. Most of that time was spent gazing at the Beehive.

 

I went back inside, and switched out the SE for the GPO 8x56 Passion, went back outside, and more or less did the same circuit, mainly focusing on M44 and the Coma Star Cluster. The Beehive was noticeably brighter in 56mms of aperture. M3 and M13 were more obvious, going from "detectable" to apparent, and the 8x56 gave a nice view of Melotte 111 as I panned through that cluster. I then stepped around the bush and down my sidewalk a few feet to view the rising full Moon. A 7mm exit pupil was, unsurprisingly, more than a bit blinding  But the NE lunar limb especially showed sharply. For fun I took another gander at M44--gee, the stars of the cluster weren't so bright now 

 

Still, a fun little mini-session and comparison between two 8x binoculars.

[skyops]

*

 

This night (13 MAY) finally had a clear Moonless evening for my first look at Vesta during this apparition, through 10x50 SLCs.

 

Looks promising for tomorrow, as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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