RimuRidgeRakiura

I started with Jupiter but the conditions weren't great. Despite no moon and perfectly clear skies I struggled to get a clear view, it was a shimmery blob the whole way through. I couldn't resolve any bands. It was windy so perhaps that was an issue. After I while I gave up and tried out my new T ring for my DSLR. I took a few shots of M42 and then tried to photograph Jupiter to see if it might be better than my optical viewing but it was far worse. It was great fun to have my first crack at photography through a telescope. I packed up the scope and then did some long exposure shots of Orion and tried for the Pleiades. Then at about 0100 it was time for bed! f/3.7. 30s exp. ISO-6400 f/3.7. 30s exp. ISO-6400

Hi Mike, perhaps ask the Admins to merge this account with your old one. They can do that on most forum systems. It looks like it's possible with Invision Community which SGL uses.

I had a completely clear sky in spite of Clear Outside predicting an overcast night. Great surprise for first night back at home after a month away.

I've had some good success with the Glendale Web app. It has forecasts for both hemispheres. You can install it onto your phone so it works like a normal app too. Link above.

Third date with Doborah tonight. Best way to spend a Friday night. Currently waiting for things to cool down. Jupiter is a shimmering blob at the moment.

Good effort. I grew up not to far from Tai Tapu. I wonder how many SGL members travel with a scope in their luggage 🤣. I've just got back from visiting family in Australia but happily they had a 114mm reflector there and a 20mm EP. I used it to look at Jupiter a few nights back. The EQ mount took a bit of getting used to and I loved the fine scale gear adjusters.

My daughter was given this. I think Dad is going to enjoy bed time stories even more than normal!

I had my first real go with the new scope on the 17th of December 2023. I would love to say that I was sensibly restrained and spent several hours diligently observing Jupiter looking to resolve the GRS. The truth though was that I was like a kid in a sweet shop, crazily moving from Jupiter to Saturn to the Great Orion Nebula, Carina Nebula, the Moon, the Pleidies Cluster and Sirius just to name a few. It was great fun and I familiarized myself with the SynScan system a fair bit. Admittedly I was stuck for about 30 mins on the set up until I realised the date needed to be entered in the US format. I messed around with the phone app link to SynScan and dabbled in some long exposure shots of the Milky Way using my DSLR. It was a great 4 hours but eventually I had to go to bed around 2am. Looking forward to the winter nights when the state come out quite a lot earlier!

Yeah I had the same idea! 😆 I put it up here for a bit of a laugh in stark contrast to all the top quality high end/high craftsmanship examples. Really though, I suppose as long as it gets the job done it doesn't matter at all.

When you've spent all your money on the telescope itself and then have to steal a lunchbox from the pantry and cannibalise the polystyrene packaging from the scope box.

6mm plossl EP, 2x Barlow and 1.25" moon filter. Now I just need clear skies, I've been under cloud for the last week! Extra hard to be gracious about that when you've got new toys to play with 😬

Stunning image. I have to admit I don't understand the technical specs you gave but images like this are definitely a motivator to learn.

We had phenomenal aurora australis activity last night, it was the best I've ever seen. Fast flashes, beams, greens, reds, pinks,, huge area, it had bands going past zenith. I don't think I'll ever see one like that again but man I hope I do! I could pick a bit of colour tinge with the naked eye two which was awesome. Here are some unedited, single images but they don't do it justice. These were taken on Stewart Island/Rakiura, New Zealand with a Panasonic G85, 28mm equivalent wide angle lens. I've only tried to photograph an aurora once before (less than average results that time) but even a beginner like me couldn't really go too far wrong with a light show like this. Image 1: 02/12/2023 @ 0056 NZDT/1156 UTC. f/3.5, 5 sec exp, ISO-1600. Image 2: 02/12/2023 @ 0119 NZDT/1219 UTC. f/3.5, 6 sec exp, ISO-1600. Image 3: 02/12/2023 @ 0134 NZDT/1234 UTC. f/3.6, 6 sec exp, ISO-1600.

The last 3 days has been busy for the freighting folk - 8 hour drive from Auckland to Wellington, 4 hour inter-island ferry, 6 hour drive to Christchurch, 8 hour drive to Invercargill, courier pick up down to Bluff, 1 hour trip on another small inter-island ferry and hey presto - I have my long-awaited telescope. Main challenge tonight with excellently clear skies will be deciding between Aurora photography and telescope observing. Let's just say it's going to be a loooong and fantastic night tonight.

I am worried enough about that to be going across to the mainland and babysitting it back home. I'll be armed with a mountain of blankets and polystyrene. Woe be to anyone who tries to dump a hiking bag in that ferry tub😂. Thanks for the warm welcome folks, you seem like a top notch community.