Seeing?

Hi,

Hope this isn't a daft question, but can anyone tell me what the
seeing has been like in the south over the last few days (specifically
near Portsmouth)?

I've just picked up a second-hand (Helios) Evostar 150 and although
I'm no doubt beeing too eager and should sit and read for a few days,
I didn't want to miss the clear skies and so have had a quick look. I
can't seem to bring Polaris to a sharp point and instead it seems to
jump about a bit (and no that doesn't seem to be due to the
mount/tripod on this occasion!). Also, I can't quite focus on Jupiter
at 120X (or therefore 240X) 'cos it keeps blurring in and out.

On a couple of different subjects:

Can anyone with an Evostar tell me if they can be collimated? I've
looked at a manual on the Skywatcher website and it indicates that
they can, but I can't seem to find a Allen key that will do anything
in the holes where I should be adjusting.

Also, are there any options for improving the focuser? It doesn't seem
like I'll have much chance of focussing correctly, even if the seeing
is good/the scope is collimated, while even thinking about touching
the knob causes so much movement!

Cheers
Tom

On 24 May 2004 02:30:23 -0700, (mrmojorisin04)
wrote:

Hope this isn't a daft question, but can anyone tell me what the
seeing has been like in the south over the last few days (specifically
near Portsmouth)?

Tom, I live in Selsey so I'm not that far from Portsmouth. To be
honest, I've been doing so much photography of late that the nights
are starting to blur into one. Most of my efforts have been
non-visual. Here goes though...

Last night (23rd) - transparency not bad towards the zenith but
deteriorating greatly towards the horizon. Quite misty. Seeing quite
acceptable II/III.

Saturday 22nd - Excellent night, good transparency and reasonable
seeing II/III again. Lots of moisture in the air though leading to
heavy dewing.

Friday 21st - didn't really observe on this evening. From the look of
Venus and the Moon, I'd say that the transparency was pretty good, but
I have no idea what the seeing was like.

HTH
--
Pete Lawrence
http://www.pbl33.co.uk
Most recent images http://www.pbl33.fast24.co.uk/recent_images.html

Thanks Pete.

"""Friday 21st - didn't really observe on this evening. ....... I have no
idea what the seeing was like."""

Seeing was good in Farnham - 30 Miles from Portsmouth. Had a colleague over
from Germany and showed him his first ever views of Saturn, Jupiter, Neat
Q4, M81, M64, M13, M3 and a few others. Always great to hear the
exclamations of someone seeing Saturn for the first time and an opportunity
to explain that "you're looking at it, as it was 12 Million Years ago!".

Regards


Chris



"Pete Lawrence" wrote in message
...
On 24 May 2004 02:30:23 -0700, (mrmojorisin04)
wrote:

Hope this isn't a daft question, but can anyone tell me what the
seeing has been like in the south over the last few days (specifically
near Portsmouth)?

Tom, I live in Selsey so I'm not that far from Portsmouth. To be
honest, I've been doing so much photography of late that the nights
are starting to blur into one. Most of my efforts have been
non-visual. Here goes though...

Last night (23rd) - transparency not bad towards the zenith but
deteriorating greatly towards the horizon. Quite misty. Seeing quite
acceptable II/III.

Saturday 22nd - Excellent night, good transparency and reasonable
seeing II/III again. Lots of moisture in the air though leading to
heavy dewing.

Friday 21st - didn't really observe on this evening. From the look of
Venus and the Moon, I'd say that the transparency was pretty good, but
I have no idea what the seeing was like.

HTH
--
Pete Lawrence
http://www.pbl33.co.uk
Most recent images http://www.pbl33.fast24.co.uk/recent_images.html