Stars / Astronomy / Astrophotography / Telescopes / Astro

This is a bit special, turn music off
https://twitter.com/astro_graph/status/1584868001878114305

incredible.

https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/tickets-alert-visit-ucls-telescope-observatory-58575/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email

Well worth a trip to mill hill, they have a new 1m telescope installed as well now.

All sold out.

I remember fondly riding up there with Nick (?) et al.

Such a great day.

Sad we missed it

Any recommendations for a telescope for a 7 year old? I wouldn't even know where to start.

I think you look through the eye piece?

I would advise against a telescope at that age.

Minimum price for something worthwhile is 250 to 300.

A much better bet would be a decent, 80-100 quid pair of binoculars and a monopod.

A decent automatic telescope is going to be 500 to 1000, so unless you know how to get the best out of a telescope I'd steer clear for a few years.

If the 7 year old is really into space then just learning the constellations, the planets and the motion of the moon should be pretty fun. " I spy " do a good stargazing book.

Thanks - that makes sense, and is more doable.

Obvious regret about ditching my old man's binoculars a few months back when my mother downsized.

The book sounds like a good Christmas gift too.

I like this suggestion too, though.

I'm full of practical suggestions!

Not a direct recommendation, but I've got one of these (https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-heritage-130p-flextube.html) which is sturdy enough that I don't mind my 5 year old using it (with me supervising). Good enough to see Jupiter's moons & Saturn's rings. Folds down neatly so doesn't take up too much room either. Eyepiece is also at a decent height which can be an issue for smaller folks using reflector telescopes.

I probably wouldn't get it "for" a 7 year old, but I'd say it's a useful thing for a family with a 7 year old, if that makes sense.

Though I'd say the boring and useful answer is probably just to go with binoculars.

...on the flip-side, my daughter now goes into school excited to tell her friends about seeing Jupiter & Saturn which is pretty cool.

Anyone who is up at about 5am on Thursday might enjoy seeing the full moon slide in front of a bright Mars

I'll be up for that.

Moon limbering up for the occultation

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How will Mars look at that magnification? I can't imagine I will be able to see anything interesting with my tele lens.

The moon will appear 109 times the diameter of Mars, so the latter will be pretty tiny. It will take about 35 seconds to “set” behind the edge of the moon.

The space observatory in Herstmonceux East Sussex was a good day out with the kid. Loads of interactive exhibits set in a lovely old Observatory.

Yeah, that place is ace.

Great view and clear sky tonight with Mars, Moon and Orion in close proximity

Now that Mars is so close to the Moon you can really see the reddish colour.

I’m not sure I’m going to be up in time for the occultation. Should I have another beer now and try to stay up, or grab a few hours’ kip and hope I can get up at 4.30?

I had a look, it's very clear but the atmospheric movement is extreme today, can't even focus on the moon properly.

Mars looking pretty good - usual wobble in the air, but should be able to extract some reasonable images from a few 5,000+ frame avi files.

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