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Double shadow transit


Stu

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Just an example of a typical quick observing session for me, trying to fit it in around 'life'! I have a baby due in a couple of weeks so we are manically preparing the house and nursery for the arrival.

I set the TV76 and PST up in the garden early on Sunday morning, and during rests from painting skirting boards had some lovely white light and Ha views. My mini giro rig is working very well now, more compact with the shorter CW bar and L bracket.

During breaks from assembling a flat pack IKEA wardrobe (AAAARRRRGGGGGHHHH), I realised there was a double shadow transit on Jupiter last night so thought I would chance my arm at a little evening session too. I popped the PST and Herschel wedge away, put the longer CW bar on and away we went.

It's amazing the detail visible with such a small scope. Earlier on GRS was clearly visible, with nice detail around where it nestles into the belt, whilst the Ganymede shadow transit was stunningly clear, really jet black. Nice details in the other belt too in moments of good seeing.

I tried a variety of EPs, and settled in the 3.7 Ethos earlier on (x137) when the seeing was better. Later on the 4 mm radian gave sharper views at x120.

I watched the double shadow transit at its mid point, Io's shadow smaller and less obvious but still very clear. That's a first for me I think. My last view was as Ganymede's shadow was about to exit the disk, but the seeing had dropped off by then.

Packed away very quickly and off to bed. It's great to be able to view these events with minimum hassle. I know the detail is not what you would get in a larger scope, but if the choice is that or nothing, I'll take the small scope option every time.

Cheers,

Stu

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Nice report Stu, congrats on the little one that will soon be here :-)

 

I am falling for the smaller scopes, they really do have some very big advantages

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Lovely report, Stu and thank you for taking the time to write this up. I agree that smaller scopes can be a lot less fag, especially fracs which are almost just set up and go; no cooling down, no fiddling with collimation etc.

 

Good luck with the little one and let us know how everything goes on that front :-)

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Thanks both. Little fracs certainly give me observing time when other options wouldn't. Regardless of that, I do love the views through them.

I'm really looking forward to getting the Moonlite on my 106mm, was a great scope already but should be about perfect then. Hopefully should get it tomorrow.

Will update on the arrival of LittleMakStutov, due end of March but quite likely to be 'popped out of the sunroof' early because the little blighter is the wrong way round!

Stu

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