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Scope for tonight's eclipse?

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#1 deSitter

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Posted 13 March 2025 - 12:18 PM

I'm using my vintage 2009 Meade 90/900mm with a 2" focuser. Not a classic, but all classic eyepieces and diagonals. And classic EQ mount. 2 of 3.

 

Looking forward to first light with a 2" 36mm QX 70 degree FOV. I hunted for that for years! They are Erfle derivatives and refractors love them.

 

-drl


Edited by deSitter, 13 March 2025 - 12:29 PM.

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#2 Augustus

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Posted 13 March 2025 - 12:40 PM

I am using my Meade 312 refractor probably


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#3 starman876

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Posted 13 March 2025 - 12:51 PM

I am using my classic eyes. 


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#4 deSitter

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Posted 13 March 2025 - 01:16 PM

I am using my classic eyes. 

Oh no! One of my favorite parts of an eclipse is close study of this or that feature as the light fades. Take out a Unitron! :)

 

-drl



#5 mich_al

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Posted 13 March 2025 - 01:16 PM

I am using my classic eyes. 

Exactly - I'm thinking it's definitely a naked eye event.



#6 Kasmos

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Posted 13 March 2025 - 01:23 PM

Since you don't really need high power and I may be dodging clouds I'll probably just use the grab and go Mayflower 814. If it's nice and clear enough I may set up a second scope or use the Mizar 68/1000 as the primary scope. 

 

BTW, being a long event who says you can't use your eyes between viewss thru the scope?


Edited by Kasmos, 13 March 2025 - 01:24 PM.

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#7 deSitter

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Posted 13 March 2025 - 01:30 PM

Since you don't really need high power and I may be dodging clouds I'll probably just use the grab and go Mayflower 814. If it's nice and clear enough I may set up a second scope or use the Mizar 68/1000 as the primary scope. 

 

BTW, being a long event who says you can't use your eyes between viewss thru the scope?

I was this close to picking the SkyChief! Love that scope.

 

-drl


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#8 Kasmos

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Posted 13 March 2025 - 01:42 PM

I was this close to picking the SkyChief! Love that scope.

 

-drl

They are beautiful scopes! 

B-vs-B-2.jpg

 

Now you got me thinking hmm.gif


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#9 deSitter

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Posted 13 March 2025 - 01:46 PM

They are beautiful scopes! 

attachicon.gif B-vs-B-2.jpg

 

Now you got me thinking hmm.gif

Mine rides on the grey EQ mount from my AO Monolux 4380. Beautiful mount and a good esthetic match for the magnificent silver/midnight OTA.

 

-drl


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#10 Terra Nova

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Posted 13 March 2025 - 02:11 PM

There’s a major storm sliding in, so lots of high clouds now. Late tonight it’s forecast to be partly cloudy, ~50% by 2:00AM totality, and I’m guessing that even the sucker holes in the lower level will have lots of cirrus outflow aloft. I think I’ll take sleep instead.



#11 grif 678

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Posted 13 March 2025 - 02:11 PM

They are beautiful scopes! 

attachicon.gif B-vs-B-2.jpg

 

Now you got me thinking hmm.gif

These are nice scopes, I have the Sky Chief II on the unitron altaz also. I do not think any people know how good these deluxe sky Chiefs are, built like a tank, but still not heavy.


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#12 clamchip

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Posted 13 March 2025 - 02:25 PM

Totality for Seattle is midnight.

Naked eye sounds great.

I wish I still had my giant binocular.

Robert

 

post-50896-0-01028800-1722990670_thumb.jpg


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#13 starman876

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Posted 13 March 2025 - 02:30 PM

Totality for Seattle is midnight.

Naked eye sounds great.

I wish I still had my giant binocular.

Robert

 

attachicon.gif post-50896-0-01028800-1722990670_thumb.jpg

thanks for reminding me to use my 120mm binocs.  That would be nice..


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#14 Kefka1138

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Posted 13 March 2025 - 02:42 PM

My 603/703 combo will be setup all night, granted weather permits. 


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#15 Tulsa

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Posted 13 March 2025 - 02:51 PM

I’m not going quite as simple as my own eyes, as that would be cheating myself considering the age of my eyes.  I just bought a 20x80 pair of Meade Binoculars that should provide a nice view while I’m setting up my Canon R6 with a 600mm lens on my Skyguider Pro to capture the event while I’m viewing.

 

Unless I fall asleep and miss the whole thing. 


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#16 CharlieB

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Posted 13 March 2025 - 02:57 PM

9VR for me.

 

 

9VR.jpg

 

Charlie

 


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#17 Airship

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Posted 13 March 2025 - 03:09 PM

Given that I'm likely to be tired and the eclipse doesn't need a big scope I'm likely going to set out my 1969 Questar standard. I may also look at attaching a ZWO ASI294MC to the axial port. The weather forecast for this evening looks great!
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#18 deSitter

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Posted 13 March 2025 - 03:38 PM

These are nice scopes, I have the Sky Chief II on the unitron altaz also. I do not think any people know how good these deluxe sky Chiefs are, built like a tank, but still not heavy.

The knurling on the main cell, purely decorative, is just fantastic!

 

-drl



#19 deSitter

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Posted 13 March 2025 - 03:39 PM

Given that I'm likely to be tired and the eclipse doesn't need a big scope I'm likely going to set out my 1969 Questar standard. I may also look at attaching a ZWO ASI294MC to the axial port. The weather forecast for this evening looks great!

Last 2 lunars were ETX90 events - but I'm using pollen as an excuse to take a trad-scope.

 

-drl


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#20 kasprowy

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Posted 13 March 2025 - 04:00 PM

I'm keeping it small, a Tak FS60Q and a Borg 36ED.


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#21 grif 678

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Posted 13 March 2025 - 05:04 PM

It is a hit or miss chance in central NC, cloudy all day, and probably all night, unless some clear holes happen to come along. It is like the news said, a lunar eclipse lasts so long, there is a chance that there will be some holes in the clouds at some time during the eclipse.


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#22 abe

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Posted 13 March 2025 - 05:26 PM

I usually use my C5+ since battery operated clock drive is easy to deal with and the focal length frames the moon nicely.  

I may enlist the Intes M503 for visual, though I wonder if it's worth trying the Astroscan + 28mm RKE just for the color?

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  • Lunar Eclipse Triptich (1800x1200).jpg

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#23 abe

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Posted 13 March 2025 - 08:04 PM

I'm using my vintage 2009 Meade 90/900mm with a 2" focuser. Not a classic, but all classic eyepieces and diagonals. And classic EQ mount. 2 of 3.

 

Looking forward to first light with a 2" 36mm QX 70 degree FOV. I hunted for that for years! They are Erfle derivatives and refractors love them.

 

-drl

I love the 36mm QX.   That sounds like a great lunar eclipse setup!



#24 John Higbee

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Posted 13 March 2025 - 08:22 PM

A lot of altocumulus clouds and high cirrus haze here on Virginia's Northern Neck. 

 

Just finished a thirty minute drive, and the full Moon's light was ghastly... weak, washed out, and projecting what sickly light it gave against the thinly clouded sky, and dimly lighted farm fields.  It could be used as the beginning of an Edgar Allen Poe story.

 

As I pulled up, the moon went behind a cloud bank...it's forecast for for less than 10% clouds between midnight and 3 AM.  Will do a walkout, but am not going to set up scopes.

 

John


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#25 rcwolpert

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Posted 13 March 2025 - 08:30 PM

Questar for me.


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