idlelimey

Hi neurostar, Later on in the year, in the early hours, you'll get to see Mars and Jupiter - both should be quite identifiable through your bins. If you're not using it already try 'Stellarium', a great piece of free software. This will help you out no end too - esspecially if you have a laptop you can take out with you. Also, try using a red torch as this won't affect your night vision so much. You don't need a telescope or powerful bins to enjoy the hobby as you've found out but I won't lie - it opens up whole new vistas. You're lucky you had clear skies - I've been waiting for what seems like ever for another night out. :( Best wishes for your next obs session :)

It was supposed to launch 29th April which would have meant we might of had a chance to see it overhead in the evening (UK). Watched it live yesterday, such power! One more to go I think (STS135)?

I've heard a lot about LPFs. Certain LPF for particular town lighting (match wavelength?). Is this true? Or is there a good generic filter that would be okay? I'll try some photos over the weekend (weather permitting).

Looks a bit like aurora!

Love it! What lens did you use for this? I will one day get around to buying a mount for my 'scope. I think I read somewhere that the scope's focal length translates to the size of lens - 1000mm for mine. Is that right? I must have a go at the 10-sec-lay-flat technique. Thanks for sharing :)

Also, Stellarium is an excellent and free sky map software: Stellarium Use it to see the sky in your area at any given time. It'll show you where to look for the objects you'll read about in the books mentioned by Todd8137

2110hrs approx. Gotta check against BST first tho. EDIT - It's 2047 for launch, but flys over the UK at 2110hrs. AFAIK. Universe Today has a piece on this: Shuttle Endeavour Will Be Visible Over UK Just After Final Launch Well worth subscribing to UT, it's very useful.

It's all about light gathering. I guess all things equal in terms of focal length and eyepiece used you'd see more in the 8". The advice I had was buy as big as you can. I'm glad I did as portability is not a concern for me.

Simple answer, yes! Effectively doubles up your EP range. I've always wondered if there's much of a difference between a stock barlow (one that comes with your 'scope) and a premium one. Don't quote me on this, but it will also have a lot to do with your usable magnification. Anyone with a jot more experience than me could give more insight on that.

Being a noob I decided it was best for me to get a manual mount first - learn how to use it and then when I'm comfortable enough with it I can invest in a 'go to'. TBH I've spent the money on EP upgrades anyway which is better for me. That being said, I've yet to properly set up my EQ mount and I still don't have to much bother bending the mount to my will. :) Horses for courses! Spend the money on a swanky new EP or get a go to. You'll certainly spend less time finding and more time seeing.

@todd8137 - Love the guerrilla tactics on the street lights!

I have the SkyWatcher 200 on an EQ5 and I love it! The supplied lenses are okay but I purchased a Celestron EP kit with a better 2x barlow and 6 filters. It's a big scope for the money and I'm glad I went for it over a smaller 'scope with a 'Goto' mount. A friend asked me why I didn't bother with a computerised mount the other day and I told him 'I'd rather learn how to read a map before I bought a SatNav, just in case'. Hope that helps.

Love the Sirius video, with all the colour it reminded me of the special effects in Star Trek (Original series). :) I must admit, I've never attempted this but you've piqued my interest. Thanks for sharing!

@todd8137 Great tip! It's always good to hear which filters people are trying out. I have a #80A and #56 in my filter pack so I'll give them a go. No #11 but I have #12 which I use more often for Saturn. Would there be much of a difference? No chance of clear skies here (Colchester, UK) tonight though :(

I've been viewing at at 2300hrs (ish). I'm in north Essex so you might want adjust that a little bit. Stellarium is great for this question. Punch in your location and use the time control to see when it is at it's highest in the sky. I think there's a new moon (no moon) on the 3rd of May - that should help with viewing although I've used a filter to tone Saturn down. It's already quite bright. Happy viewing! :)

Mr Saddo is spot on, use Stellarium. It is nothing short of brilliant. Just set you location and away you go.

Keep your fingers crossed for clear skies on the 3rd May (I think), new moon! I love looking at the moon through a variety lens/filter combos but I also like having the regular new moon so I can observe more of the sky. I too saw Saturn through my new 'scope just last week. Makes it all worth while. One day I'll even set my EQ mount up properly and try tracking it better. I viewed through a 6mm and you get about 6 seconds before it's out of FOV. :)