.............gosh I love you guys and gals!
No, I haven't left astronomy as I threatened I would.............why?......read on...........
I found that the problem with the 8 inch newt is definately the focusser..........it's a heap of garbage and will be replaced.
It does not stay square to the secondary when racked out, and the 2 inch ''canon'' adaptor must have been turned out by a high school novice on hist first lathe adventure
.
After some very rough star collimation, I improved the image significantly............but the problem still exists and will do so until I chuck the rack and pinion
Anyhow, had a look at Jupiter again last night under average conditions.
What I saw(at the left half of the field of view
........go figure??) was enough to wake me up to the fact that detail CAN be seen on planets even with average and out of whack optics. It was quite exciting to see some irregularity in the main equatorial belt (when the hell is the other one coming back????!!!!!)and some smaller thin bands and tonal shadings when the turbulence subsided now and again.
It's enough for me everyone!................
I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaack!