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First ever observing session - Dob 8"

ottoerago

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ottoerago

ottoerago

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I'll try to keep it brief...

I'd got the second hand scope that day. Tube in a proper padded bag, base in bubble wrap, and box of accessories.

Rain on and off all day, but clouds cleared as darkness fell, and I could see Jupiter, Saturn and a nearly full moon.

Had to take advantage, so got the base unwrapped and outside. Tube onto base. Tension screws in. No finder scope fitted but had to act fast as Jupiter about to go behind tree.

25mm Plossl. Aimed at Jupiter. Saw a doughnut shape, which due to previous research here I realized was an out of focus star. But it looked nice and round so thought collimation was probably ok.

Tried to focus but nothing happened. Found a screw to release which allowed me to focus!

There was Jupiter. Moons beautiful bright little pin heads. Planet small but perfectly round and crisp. Could sense a hint of colour, like a bright little bubble.

It was about to go behind the tree, so tried to quickly throw on the large 5mm 58 degree aFov eyepiece. Couldn't find it, no matter, moved on.

Had to move the telescope to a new position in garden to try to see Saturn. An advantage of the dob I guess.

Back with the 25mm, I couldn't see it. Found a star, bright, was it Saturn? Down on knees behind the tube I lined it up like a cannon.

Still couldn't see it. Fished around a little, and there it was! Small but so bright and just crisp and crystal clear. Wow. I was expecting it to be blurred, but no. It was just white of course, no bands etc, but very impressive.

Clouds covered Saturn. Game over there.

Moon. 25mm. Fitted just perfectly into the view, like the eye piece had been specifically designed to frame it. Gorgeous. Tried the 10mm plossl but it was too bright and couldn't get it into focus...

Was confused why it didn't look brighter, then realized that I'd been viewing it through the side of a tree, I think...

So that was a wrap.

Way, way better than what I had expected.

However I suspect that I'd maybe struck lucky with the atmospheric conditions as since then I've had one more session with much less success.

I got Saturn with the the 5mm at 240x mag last night and it was completely blurred. So I've knocked the collimation off, the eyepiece is dodgy, or perhaps the conditions just didn't allow it. Who knows - not me!

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Marky1973

Marky1973

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Nice report! much like my first night out! I think you might be pushing it with a 5mm eyepiece - I struggled with mine and found an 8mm BST was a much better option and that did give some nice images of Jupiter and Saturn - but only when the seeing was good. And that does vary wildly, but keep at it and you'll see more and more each time you are out. Don't know if you got Turn Left at Orion - but that is worth a purchase to start learning your way around the skies - it is a real eye opener when you get those first views... you'll be hunting DSOs before you know it - although you should probably let the moon wander off a bit before going for the faint ones!

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faulksy

faulksy

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sounds like you had a great start, i think you was looking at Venus though, was it heading west just in front of jupiter if it was it was venus. saturn is in the small hours. they have given clear skys tonight hope you get out again

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ottoerago

ottoerago

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Nice report! much like my first night out! I think you might be pushing it with a 5mm eyepiece - I struggled with mine and found an 8mm BST was a much better option and that did give some nice images of Jupiter and Saturn - but only when the seeing was good. And that does vary wildly, but keep at it and you'll see more and more each time you are out. Don't know if you got Turn Left at Orion - but that is worth a purchase to start learning your way around the skies - it is a real eye opener when you get those first views... you'll be hunting DSOs before you know it - although you should probably let the moon wander off a bit before going for the faint ones!

Thank you Marky.

I've not got Turn Left At Orion but it's on the list!

And thanks for the advice re 8mm.

The 5mm is an Orion Epic II which I've read is a double price BST whatever a BST is...

I've got 5, 6.3, 10 and 25mm... trying the 6.3 tonight hopefully.

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ottoerago

ottoerago

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sounds like you had a great start, i think you was looking at Venus though, was it heading west just in front of jupiter if it was it was venus. saturn is in the small hours. they have given clear skys tonight hope you get out again

Had me wondering then! But it was deffo Jupiter, with moons. I've rewound Stellarium and Venus would have been too low and behind trees.

Saturn was trailing behind the moon, lovely big ring tipped over which i didn't mention.

I think I confused by saying "bands"? I meant the lines on the rings.

Yes a good forecast for tonight - thanks!

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ottoerago

ottoerago

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Good first report. Do you have a finder ? Things will be much easier if you use one

Yes I've got a 9x50 RACI, but I'd just not got familar with any of the kit or tried fitting it before trying the telescope out that first time.

I started this thread so can I quickly finish this extended '3 day report' with last night's much less frenetic session?...

Managed to set up before dark and checked the collimation with a collimation cap. The circle was off about 1cm from middle of secondary mirror. Managed to get it close to central without too much trouble, but wasn't perfect.

Got about 15 mins with Jupiter before it was devoured by the tree monster. Saw the coloured bands :-) Been watching it since winter so very pleased to see it properly before it goes for however long...

Spent about 2 hours with Saturn. Best views were with the 10mm plossl.  Majestic. Saw the Cassini division quite clearly at times and the colours on the surface.

Took me quite a while to find a star in the Saucepan but eventually managed to 'star hop' all of them.

And I saw the double in the middle of the handle!

So I'm starting to find my feet a little thanks to all the info available here.

Think I might try for M13 the Great Cluster in Hercules next!...

Cheers all,

Patrick Moore

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-Aldebaran-

-Aldebaran-

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Think I might try for M13 the Great Cluster in Hercules next!...

Ooh your in for a treat with that one! It's quite an easy target to find.

Try it with your 6.3mm, should frame it quite nicely in the eyepiece if the field of view is quite wide. For best results make sure your eyes are well dark adapted

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