Celestron Nature 8×42 binoculars

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Reviewer

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The Celestron Nature 8×42 roof prism binoculars give great results for an outstanding price. Although they do not come with phase corrected prisms, you still get a bright and clear view from the BaK-4 prisms and fully multi-coated optics.

Handling is very easy. They balance nicely in the hands, and feel reassuringly well built. Focus wheel and dioptre adjustments are smooth in operation, and can be easily adjusted with gloves on.

Eye relief is very good. This means they can be used with spectacles on. Nitrogen waterproofing means they can be used in all conditions with no internal fogging.

The Celestron Nature series 8×42 come with a soft case and 2 years Celestron warranty

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North Lincs Astronomy Society. Meeting, 8th April 2013

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Reviewer

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Despite the cloudy skies ending any hope of getting some viewing done, there was a good turn out at the North Lincs Astro society meeting at The Far Ings nature reserve on Monday 8th April 2013.

The opportunity was taken to have the inaugural official meeting to agree on the Chairman, vice chairman, secretary , other members names put forward for when the club becomes a society. Not forgetting Sarah for volunteering the most important job as milk monitor

Once we were all settled down with our refreshments, Chris Roche gave us a talk , explaining how we came to have days , weeks and years. For many of us, this was a very informative talk on something that we take for granted.

As always Northern Optics was in attendance with a selection of astro accessories at a discounted price on the night. Northern Optics also donated the raffle prize of a Camlink Torino case and mini tripod.

Visit the North Lincs Astro website here for more information on the society

 

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What is the widest crater on the visible side of the Moon

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Reviewer

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The largest crater we can see on the Moon from the Earth is Clavius. At 225 km wide and 35 km deep, it is a truly massive crater that would cover a large part of the UK.

Binoculars show it clearly. While any telescope will show many smaller craters within its boundaries.  It is a fantastic site in any telescope, and well worth a look.

If you don,t have your own equipment, pop along to your nearest astronomical club, who will no doubt share the experience with you when you look through their telescopes.

 

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Opticron Trailfinder 8×32 binoculars. New for 2013

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Reviewer

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The Opticron Trailfinder 8×32 binoculars are the latest edition to the trailfinder series. Boasting a wide 131m @ 1000mm field of view and good eye relief. Weight is only 527g.

Fully multi-coated optics , phase corrected and BaK-4 prisms for a bright view. Fully waterproof for use in all conditions.

Ideal for birdwatching and general use. 5 year warranty

 

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Celestron X-Cel LX telescope eyepiece. 1.25″

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Reviewer

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Available from Northern Optics the Celestron X-Cel LX eyepieces offer fully multi-coated optics at a sensible price within many budgets.  Featuring long eye relief and twist eye cups for spectacle wearers.

Threaded to accept standard 1.25″ filters. Available in a range of focal lengths to suit most needs. 7 choices in total include 2.3mm, 5mm, 7mm, 9mm, 12mm, 18mm and 25mm.

These are a popular choice in the astronomy community and can be purchased HERE

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How to connect a 1.25″ eyepiece to a Zeiss Diascope

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Reviewer

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Owners of Zeiss Diascopes can attach standard 1.25″ telescope eyepieces to the scope with the use of a Baader Diascope bayonet 31.7mm (1.25″) ocular adapter. (see image right)

To use, simply insert a 1.25″ eyepiece in to the adapter, and secure with the 3 small screws. An allen key is included.

You will notice a groove around the Baader adapter. Take the larger of the rubber O-rings (included) and set in place. This will help give a secure fit when attached to the spotting scope body.

To connect the adapter to the Zeiss Diascope body, line up the mark on the adapter with the corresponding mark on the spotting scope and twist in to place.

A 2″ version of the Baader adapter is also available

 

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Celestron t-adapter / 2x barlow fitted to a Canon EOS 1100D

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Reviewer

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The image to the right shows how to connect a Celestron t-adapter/2x barlow to a Canon EOS DSLR body. A t-ring is needed to connect the adapter and camera body together.

Once fitted together, the adapter allows for prime focus (no eyepiece used) photography on an astronomical telescope. This adapter has a couple of advantages that overcome focusing issues with two types of telescope.  With having an in built barlow, you will find infinity focus possible with Newtonian telescopes that do not have enough inward travel.

By unscrewing the barlow lens, the adapter also becomes a useful extension tube for refractors. Also by unscrewing the lens from the adapter you will find a thread to accept 1.25″ filters

To use. Simply insert the adapter into the eyepiece holder and focus manually.

Click here to buy

 

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Ostara 1.25″ Moon and Skyglow filter review.

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Reviewer

The following review of the Ostara 1.25″ Moon / Skyglow filter was posted on an internet forum during 2013.

“Ok had my first light this Wednesday… I live in a flat and have 30-40 very bright lights facing my balcony.

this lovely filter cleared out Andromeda and made it look like a bright star with some fuzzy arms,… With my camera I can always darken my tv screen for contrasts but I must exert, the yellowish glow is GONE!!!

Also was able to see the blue snow ball nebula but it was very small not sure if I saw a near by star but it was light blue and was very impressed!

point is out of all people on SGL my LP is the worst trust me!!! It’s the worst amount of stray light one can have.. My heq5 and dale have given up on me I always stargaze from somewhere else.. This filter,might just save the hobby for me!! ”

Click here to buy

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Optical Hardware / Ostara PL 20mm eyepiece review

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Reviewer

The following Ostara PL 20mm eyepiece review was posted on an internet forum.

I have an ostara 20mm plossl in my collection that I picked up recently. I can’t compare it to anything really posh cos I haven’t got anything like that.
But it is massively better than the standard 20mm celestron ep my scope came with and is just as clear as the second hand Japanese circleT 20mm Ortho I got for Christmas – but with a much wider fov. I bought the ostara as a cheap ep to combine with a cheap 0.5 focal reducer for my 70 mm frac as a guide scope, but I do find myself using it as a normal ep in my main scope for the Pleiades etc and its v.nice

Click here to buy

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North Lincs Astro meeting. 4th March 2013

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Reviewer

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A crisp evening with clear skies was waiting for us at the North Lincs Astro club on Monday 4th March 2013.

Was nice to see a couple of first timers. Lets hope they come back for more. Damian gave us a nice talk on the Constellation of Taurus. This included the story behind the naming of the constellation, and how to find some interesting targets.

As always, Northern Optics was in attendance with a selection of telescope accessories. Northern Optics also donated the raffle prize (Baader cleaning kit)

After tea, coffee and a discussion about taking the club further, we headed outside. Members telescopes used were a Celestron Astromaster 114EQ,  Skywatcher 200p/HEQ5 Syntrek, and a Celestron SCT 9.25″ on a NEQ6 goto Mount with CCD imager.

By this time seeing conditions had worsened. Luckily, we all got some great views of Jupiter earlier in the evening before the mist came in.

Many thanks to the Lincolnshire Wildlife trust for the use of the building and facilities

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