Posts Made By: Glen Harrington

I new and I'm trying to decide between the Sky-Watcher 5.1 EQ2 and the Orion XT4.5.

The Sky-Wachter (brand name) is the one with the 130mm parabolic mirror and a 650mm focal length. Comes with 2 SMAs 10mm and 25mm, 1.25". It sell for about 220 US.

Does the Sky-watcher have one of those built in barrow lens?

Everybody is probably familiar with the XT4.5.

Keep in mind that I'm from Canada and might have to pay shipping have to pay

Last night sitting out in the hot tub at -20C the sky was as clear as could be. I knew my new 6" Skywatcher Dob was under the tree calling out to me. But I couldn't open it. Well christmas day has passed and the clouds role in....

This is my first real scope. Its not what many of you out there would call a great scope (limited budget) but its exciting to me. I've seen jupiter and saturn through a "depatment store" scope and even that thrilled me.

I'm really looking forward to first light in rural Ontario in the bitter cold. The view is spectacular even with the naked eye.

Anyone out there with MUST SEE advice for a newbie, let me know?

Thanks and merry Christmas

My first post was pre Christmas. I have now experienced first light with my new 6" Skywatcher Dob. Although I had a few hitches at first and the sky wasn't great, I did get the best view I have yet of Saturn and my 1st view of M42. Looking forward to my next session.

My questions to the experienced observers out there are:

1. I live in South Central Ontario were the temperature this time of year is on average -15C. Should I store my OTA in my garage which is insulated but not heated (aprox. 5 to 10C warmer)?

2. I had the scope outside at -30C (very cold) and some condensation formed. Now my mirror has a small stain on it a little larger than an 1/8" in dia. I tried to blow it off with an ear syringe but that didn’t work. Should I clean it?

Thanks in advance

Glen Harrington

Read a recommendation on Sky and telescope to use collodion to clean optics. Can anyone tell me how to do this? I purchased some at the local pharmacy and don't exactly know how to use it.

For those who have not hear of it, its a liquid that you spread on your optics that dries into a film. You then peel it off a with all the crud.

Clear Skys

Glen

I live in the north and have been getting fogged up eye pieces after viewing for an hr or so in the cold. Is it safe to bring them in and use a hair drier to clear them up?

I store my scope in an insulated but non heated garage. I keep my eyepieces in the house. The average temp this time of year is 5F. I set the scope up usually .75 to 1 hr before viewing. I often end up with frost on the outside of my OTA after viewing for a while but the mirror seems OK.

Any advice for viewing in these conditions would be appreciated.

Equipment: 6" skywatcher dob
stock 25mm & 9mm
5.7mm W70 antares
1.5" 2x televue barlow