Well, I sold my C8 :(

[M.]

Sold my C8

 

I hadn’t used it for sometime, feels like the last year has been terrible conditions for observing, since moving from relative darks skies to light polluted ones.

 

I feel bad about it :/ but hopefully put the money towards a solar telescope, try something different I guess.

 

 

[+Bino-viewer]

Shame to see it go Martin. It was a lovely scope in that distinctive orange.

Don't give up on the night sky though........how about purchasing a nice 80-100mm refractor ?

Lots of versatility : good for grab go visual. Ideal for wide field, nice on Lunar and planets.

With solar you can do white light or go down the Quark route.

 

Good to see you back on the forum 

[Doc]

Nice to hear from you again Martin.

 

Shame about the scope and I agree sky conditions make a huge difference.

[Smithysteve]

Letting go is hard to do, i hope you find an alternative setup that suits.

Good to hear from you, miss your enthusiastic posts! ?

[Guest]

I guess it depends on exactly how badly light polluted your skies are. Using myself purely as an example, I live in suburbia and no, not the Acacia Avenue type, more like Chav Close. I guess on most cloudless nights my limiting magnitude is about 4.5 for stars and I can see the summer Milky Way. I have bagged all Messier objects from home with a 127mm Mak (long story but it took about four years!). I am fully aware that there are other people with clearer skies, better kit and more free time to observe and photograph than I do. I like to think I do a good job with what I have but have sometimes thought about throwing in the towel.

 

I feel your pain but sometimes one needs to realise that a telescope left neglected is simply taking up space. Depending on what kit you buy, white light astronomy doesn't need much extra. However, near a solar minimum it can get very boring with days, weeks and even months without a sunspot. Poor Mr Maunder. I can feel his pain, too!

 

I am infamous for having a Coronado PST but, due to budget restrictions, I no longer know the best route to start with for narrowband solar astronomy. The Quark and Lunt LS35 may well be better. If you are not restricted by budget, a 60 or 70mm hydrogen alpha 'scope really delivers far more than entry-level equipment. I don't know your work commitments but I quite often view and photograph the Sun during lunch breaks, especially in the winter.

 

One thing us amateur astronomers are good at is adapting and finding new ways of doing things. Which ever path you take, I sincerely wish you the best.