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I find capturing whole disks rather limiting. There are those who can extract incredible detail from our sun. Using modestly sized refractors. It just doesn't inspire me to try and copy them. After my time in the observatory with my larger refractors I wanted more. The problem is my increasing age and reduced ability to lift and carry heavy weights.
So I bought a 102mm F7 APO. Not the TS. Because that was out of stock everywhere on the known Continent. I went with the identical Tecnosky. From the same factory but with a few cosmetic differences. I chose a doublet. To avoid alleged cool down time. Hopefully to save some weight too. Over the more familiar triplet optics.
It had to be a keeper. So I opted for the more desirable FPL53 glass. Even if the difference is only slight. I knew I would always resent not having bought the "best" option. This would be my first "proper" telescope. The first I had ever bought new. Every other instrument. In over 65 years of active astronomy. Had meant buying the optics and making my own OTA.
The medium fast, 4" refractor class fits effortlessly on the AMN5. ZWO's increasingly popular harmonic mount. The little, red cube can manage 11" SCTs and 10" Newtonians apparently. While still providing exceptional tracking performance. I had no choice anyway. I can no longer lift. Let alone carry a conventional German equatorial. One large enough to carry a big refractor. Nor could I leave one set up permanently outdoors.
The triple boxed telescope arrived just as I was preparing lunch. So there was an hour's delay before I was set up and tracking a cloud laden sun. Before that I had been testing its terrestrial capabilities. Examining the whites of the fierce eyes. Of upside down gulls out on the fields at 450 meters.
Testing the telescope's ability to handle high powers and even binoviewers. That sort of thing. I tried and recorded the focuser scale with each option. Star diagonal, solar diagonal, 45ยบ terrestrial diagonal, binoviewer with assorted GPCs, zoom eyepiece and my Shorty 2x Barlow. It all worked. And, without needing to saw big chunks off the main tube.
The sun was often cloud covered. So much patience was needed. As I went through all the options available to me. Delving into a plastic basket of optical goodies. I was struggling to see much detail in the scattered sunspots. While using a single eyepiece through the Lunt 1.25" solar diagonal.
So I swapped over to the TS binoviewer and a pair of 26mm Meade Plossls. It still needed the 2x Barlow to really come alive. Then, for a few tantalizing moments I was hovering over a huge sun. Countless small and larger spots spread out beneath me. I was in orbit over the sun! Without warning huge clouds took over. That was the end of the day's trials.
It became so dark it really looked like it would rain. So I had to hastily start dismantling. To make the numerous journeys indoors. With all the precious bits and pieces. Telescope first, then the mounting, the tripod, plastic basket of accessories, extension lead. Put the rise and fall, observing chair back under cover. It remained dark but did not rain until much later. Typical!
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