Marvin Jenkins

If you don’t mind me asking a further question before Stu gets a reply? I remember when I first joined SGL there was a loose knit group called The Dob Squad. Are you, were you part of that group? Because I remember thinking how big do these Dobs need to be and would I ever get one. Marvin

As far as monogamy goes, I would never have one. I would be far too worried about wood worm. M

Let’s just cut to the chase and ask the question, Which twelve scopes can you not do without? You know who you are! Marvin

Here is my M1

I will challenge you. I will post my first M1 then you can chuck in your M13. You will have to give me a little time as it on my office pc but I will do my best as quick as possible. My M1 was a Nikon D3100, unguided on a 150pds mounted on an EQ5 goto. No filters, no software, just a single exposure. Marvin

Your own pictures are yours and as such are for you to determine quality and importance. I have a single shot of the Crab M1. It won’t win an award but it is mine on a nights observing I will never forget as it is simply the night I took my first picture of the Crab. Marvin

It’s so nice to see your notes. First picture taken M13.

That’s perfect. A space for your own notes. I added a few paper labels with dates of observation. Nice to have a memento and I prefer yours. Marv

I would say a lot better than that in central Paris but you have to weigh that against smoke from cooking and heating fires. M

Actually the sentence before that maybe the bit that has changed the most. Your total confidence that you will be observing this coming weekend. I am yer to find an Astronomer that looks one day into the future with any form of certainty. Marv

Wow, I think we have as many questions for you as you do for the membership. I love the statement so much has changed in 40 years! I was 10 Marv

When I first started astronomy and found out about the Messier list I downloaded a bunch of star charts from free star charts.com. I laminated them and placed them in a plastic ring folder so I could use it during the dew heavy nights. The first pages with photos and technical info were very helpful. Marv

Just to be sure, I am not trying to discourage you. Messiers go get them when you can. We have a kind of opposites thing going on. I got 75% with a 130 newt and finished with a 150 newt under B3/4 skies. You have a bit more aperture but more light pollution, which will be an interesting comparison so keep us informed. Marv

M68 is a Globular. You are going to find that your second sentence might come back to bite you. Take note of #Zermelo. His remaining handful are all southern targets just like me at the end and I could have avoided that situation from my Latitude with a little planning. Good luck Zermelo. Which 9 are left to observe? Marv

I am wishing you luck IB20. I have observed the 110 Ms and I can offer just a small bit of advice. Be careful about planning. As an example I wizzed through the easier ones at a time the hardest were visible. When it can to the tough ones (very southern) I was in winter! M68 became my personal Messier Nemesis. I hovered at 109/110 for nearly two years due to lack of opportunities, weather and suchlike. I finally managed it but it felt more like relief not triumph and that’s not how I thought it would be. Well done on M1 by the way. My diary for first observation describes it as a small puff of grey smoke. Marvin

I am not the oldest member on this site by a long long shot but I clearly remember this question coming up in 2019 maybe. I distinctly remember the thread being shut down as some members “got hand bags at dawn” about owning a Tak and then getting cheap on paint. I don’t care one way or the other but it does make me giggle. What should be be taken more seriously is the term “handbags at dawn” which I suspect many people across the pond and farther afield may find confusing. It basically describes a fight outside a pub (bar) or disco tech (nightclub) between drunken ladies hitting each other with handbags. The truth which I have witnessed in Skegness (don’t ask) is actually far more violent and traumatic. M. I just use the single letter in moments of stress.

Light pad?

Ooooh, what is it about a lovely bit of coated green glass?

Sorry I just posted in the wide field section in my excitement. I have a Lemmon in the bag. Marv

Just come in from an unexpected and incorrectly forecast clear evening. 10x50 bins and with a lot of dark adaptation I found H2 Lemmon. I am so happy as I have had no opportunities for Astro for some time and the forecast continues to be terrible. I will have to check my books but this maybe my 10th comet. Thanks to everyone for the heads up. If a miracle happens and it is clear tomorrow I will get the 5” newt on it. Marvin

Unlike me Jeremy has the funds for gambling. I would be happy with the catalog for Japanese bath mixers. M

I am uncomfortable with two languages in one sentence. Especially as the sentence is just two words. It is a bath tap knob after all. M

What is it? A focuser for the directionally confused? I know… Tak bath tap knob. M

Welcome

I have found a way to get clear skies every time! Stellarium. I took a look yesterday at lunchtime and the sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky. I had it set for my long/lat and it was belting down but not in Stellarium world. I have decided to move there permanently. Marv